Talk of the Town - Freaky fans November 11 2000

OutKast members Big Boi, Andre 3000 and Cutmaster Swift made an appearance at the record store to promote their new album, Stankonia, which was released the same day. Crowds of at least 100 young OutKast fans hung out outside the store around 11 p.m., hoping to get glimpse of the group who, while inside, signed autographs and were entertained by an impromptu strip show by some freaky female fans.
The previous evening, people were keeping their clothes on at the Freaky Fashion show at Riviera. Event coordinator Hannah Kang told me the Americasmart-sponsored event was “the best one yet,” probably because of the celebrity guests that participated, like Marty Carter, Ray Buchanan, Ashley Ambrose and Bob Whitfield of the Falcons. Even T-Mo from Goodie Mob showed up. They all came to model Player’s University for Kenlo, Fubu and the like. Puff Daddy’s line, Sean Jean, was showcased as well.
Toga, toga! Halloween night, two band members from the ever up-and-coming Adom were seen partying at Nomenclature. Robert Genovese and Andy Freni were in costume as a cowboy and toga-wearing Roman, respectively, there to catch electronica group Aerial’s performance. The two local buzz bands will be playing together in mid-November, which is especially good for Adom, who are having their songs produced by international electronica maestro Chris Brann of the Wamdue Project.
Atlanta goes to Hollywood. Ted Turner, Tom Sizemore and Simon Baker were on hand last Thursday for the local premiere of Red Planet, the major motion picture starring the latter two and Val Kilmer. Held at the Rialto, the premiere was a well-catered industry get-together with a modest-looking but sophisticated crowd. Young and old, rich and not-so-rich rubbed elbows and nibbled on salmon mousse and chocolate desserts while they waited to see the movie and eventually meet the actors. Turner, Sizemore and Baker stayed put most of the time in the VIP area, out of sight, but never out of mind. Some guests weren’t convinced the celebs were even there yet, so they opted to wait outside for limos that were sure to contain somebody important.
One white stretch limo circled the block and finally pulled up in front of the entrance only to contain no actors but a woman who acted like one, blocking her face as if she were paparazzi-weary. There was only one person with a camera standing outside at the time.
Inside there was an auction hosted by Chuck Dowdle and Wes Sarginson, who introduced items like a Jackson 5 Torture Tour Program and a Sheryl Crow-signed issue of Billboard magazine. The pre-movie activity went well and was quite entertaining despite several chatterers who couldn’t keep quiet for a half-hour. Sizemore was spotted helping himself to two beers, one in each hand, and re-entering the VIP area with his entourage.
Speaking of Turner, his newest broadcasting venture, Turner South, recently cancelled the show featuring the antics of local improv group Whole World Theater. The group hasn’t given up on their quest to conquer television, though. A few of its members pulled a Tom Green last Saturday in front of Murphy’s restaurant in Virginia-Highland. Improv actor Michael Sweeney serenaded patrons while being discreetly filmed. He later told me that the footage will be used to pitch a new show to a West Coast production company and can be seen between their live shows. During the filming, one of Murphy’s proprietors approached the Whole World crew, telling them they need to request permission next time. Party pooper. That’s another thing that bugs me, people who can’t take a joke.