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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > May > 02 > Entry
‘A Week at Woodruff’ is a stroll in the park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes a press release lands at Buzz Central that’s so utterly audacious, it compels, no, taunts us to actually leave the office.
On Monday, we received such an e-mail asking: “Tired of eating lunch at your desk?” It enticed us to dine al fresco in Woodruff Park downtown, courtesy of “100 new cafe tables and 350 chairs, all of which are lightweight for easy rearranging.”
As most downtown cubicle dwellers well know, Woodruff Park is less noted for its patio furniture and more for its seemingly intractable urban campers, its distinctive urine scent, and pushy panhandlers.
The delicious irony of “A Week at Woodruff’s” planned events was enough, however, to make us grab a pen, a pad and hit the park.
The news choppers that hovered overhead, covering the immigrant rally at the state Capitol, provided a lunchtime soundtrack as did the agitated gentlemen playing a game of death match dominoes at one of the new tables.
The sleeping folks who were sprawled atop bags filled with their belongings did not deter Cooper Holland, a Central Atlanta Progress senior project manager who was strolling the park.
“Look at what a difference a day has made,” she said, pointing to the new tables and chairs near the park’s fountains. A Dinah Washington standard did not immediately swell up behind Holland’s words, but a man in a brightly hued Rastafarian hat attempted to accompany by chanting loudly in a language we didn’t immediately recognize.
“I live in the Healey Building across the street,” Holland conceded. “We know we’re a work in progress. But our ultimate goal is to reintroduce the park.”
Holland says CAP is devoted to offering more special events, chess tournaments and even free Wi-Fi to the park’s users.
“A Week at Woodruff” continues today with an opportunity for you to “stroll the park and strike up a friendly conversation with the two new full-time park attendants who will ensure the park’s safety and beauty daily.”
‘Niki’ opens big
Could “Nanas” be bigger than chandeliers?
This weekend’s opening of “Niki in the Garden” drew 2,004 visitors to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, up 30 percent from 2004’s opening weekend of Dale Chihuly’s blockbuster glass art exhibit.
“And that’s even with the lousy weather on Sunday,” marketing director Sabina Carr said Monday.
The new exhibit, open through Oct. 31, features 41 mosaic sculptures of the late artist Niki de Saint Phalle — among them, curvaceous female figures known as Nanas.
Information: 404-876-5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
‘Bust’ extended
Over the weekend, Buzz finally had an opportunity to take in the awful splendor of the “Hollywood or Bust” revue at Libby’s: A Cabaret in Buckhead.
As promised, the movie-themed show’s “Songs You Never Want to Hear Again” medley performed by Kenya Hamilton, Shawn Megorden, Wendy Melkonian, Lisa Paige and Robert Strickland at the piano was rib-bruising hilarious. Some of the songs in the set? “Staying Alive,” “Born Free,” “Theme From ‘Ice Castles,’ ” “You Light Up My Life” and “Flashdance (What a Feeling).”
We inadvertently inhaled an olive while eavesdropping on Libby’s regular Terry Strecker gushing to owner Libby Whittemore: “I didn’t know you could do such a great show with so many bad songs!”
The revue has proved so popular, it’s been extended for one night only this Friday.
Quote of the day
“I just think it’s very hard for everyone to participate in, you know, the illusion that she presents as her truth.” — Freshly minted “The View” co-host Rosie O’Donnell on future co-worker Star Jones Reynolds to Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America.”
Celebrity docket
British rocker Pete Doherty was released on bail Sunday by London police who are now investigating tabloid photos that showed the ex-Libertines frontman injecting himself and a woman with drugs, a police official said.
The current Babyshambles singer was detained Saturday morning on suspicion of recklessly administering a noxious substance, the official said.
Doherty, 27, is to return for questioning in July, the official said.
The Sun newspaper published the photos Friday.
Doherty was previously arrested April 20 for suspected drug possession, hours after a judge placed him on probation on separate drug charges.
At press time Monday, Buzz was considering a line of Pete Doherty mug shot trading cards with the advertising slogan: “Collect all 2,200!”
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Roscoe Lee Browne is 81. Singer Lesley Gore is 60. Country singer Larry Gatlin is 58. Singer Lou Gramm of Foreigner is 56. Actress Christine Baranski is 54. Country singer Ty Herndon is 44. Wrestler-actor the Rock is 34.
Contributing: Danny C. Flanders and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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