Atlanta is some 2,200 miles from Hollywood, but there are options if you want to share in the golden glow of the 85th Academy Awards ceremony, even have a paparazzi moment.
Metro area parties on Oscar’s big night Sunday include:
- CineBistro at Town Brookhaven rolls out the red carpet for ticket holders who enjoy a touch of the star treatment, complete with a complimentary glamour shot. While you'll have to supply the limo, at least the valet parking is free.
Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception in the specially decorated lobby lounge. Guests can enjoy appetizers (such as bacon-wrapped dates and tuna wonton crisps) while sipping champagne and house-made red and white sangria. Live red carpet coverage from Hollywood will air on bar and lounge monitors, and a Marilyn Monroe impersonator will mingle in the crowd until attendees are ushered into the theater for the live broadcast beginning at 7 p.m.
As the show begins, so does a three-course dinner. Steakhouse salad with a champagne vinaigrette dressing will be followed by a choice of three entrees: a 6-ounce petit filet, bucatini with lobster and Chilean sea bass. Finally, a dessert sampler will include creme brulee, "Cineful" chocolate cake and deconstructed peanut butter pie.
Departing guests will receive a celebrity-style swag bag.
Tickets, $60, may be purchased in advance or on Sunday night at CineBistro’s concierge desk. (Guests must be 21 or older and have proper ID.) 1004 Town Blvd., Suite 1070, Atlanta. 404-333-0740, www.cobbcinebistro.com.
- A red carpet also will greet guests at Oscar Experience: Atlanta, Georgia's only Academy-sanctioned awards-night party, at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
The black-tie event, beginning at 5:15 p.m., includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and dinner in the ballroom where the telecast will be shown. Channel 2 Action News anchor John Bachman will emcee.
Last year, the event raised nearly $300,000 for organizer the Center for Family Resources (CFR), an Atlanta nonprofit that helps homeless families become self-sufficient.
Tickets, $1,000 for two, again benefit the CFR. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-428-2601, www.thecfr.org.
- David Atlanta, the periodical and website serving the metro gay community, also rolls out a red carpet as it hosts its first Oscar Viewing Party at Ten Atlanta, the Midtown restaurant-bar.
The 6 p.m.-midnight celebration includes complimentary arrival photos, a red carpet fashion show, champagne and hors d’oeuvres and swag bags.
General admission, $20; belated Valentine’s special, two for $30; VIP tickets (including private seated viewing area, drink tickets and enhanced swag bag), $50. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Out on Film Festival. 980 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. To reserve: www.davidatlanta.com.
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