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Usher, Tyler Perry will help celebrate Angelou’s 80th
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On May 4, Atlanta will host a star-studded 80th birthday celebration for poet and author Maya Angelou. And Buzz has learned exclusively that the evening will also serve as the inaugural fund-raiser for a brand-new teen center to be named in Angelou’s honor at the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA on Campbellton Road.
“Maya Angelou is the embodiment of who she’s writing about in her poem ‘Phenomenal Woman,’ ” Andrew Young told Buzz. “It also pretty much describes what we’re shooting for with the new center as well. For a while now, we’ve wanted to create a teen center at the Y in a supervised environment. Sometimes in the black community, poverty is not necessarily economic but something based in self-esteem. I look at some of the rappers and hip-hop artists out there now who have money but still don’t have it together. It’s because no one taught them the importance of self-esteem. Hopefully, with this center, we can create change.”
In addition to the Y’s namesakes, the evening at Atlanta Symphony Hall will be hosted by Atlanta film director Tyler Perry and his “Madea’s Family Reunion” scene stealer Lynn Whitfield. Other confirmed celebs include “Rush Hour” star Chris Tucker, Tony-winning choreographer George Faison, pop star Usher, “Soul Food” actress Nicole Ari Parker, R&B and gospel singer Candi Staton, writer Pearl Cleage and MLK’s daughter Bernice King.
Speaking about Martin Luther King Jr., Atlanta’s former mayor is quick to point out that his old friend was a product of this city’s Butler Street YMCA.
“People forget what a great athlete Martin was,” Young recalls. “He could shoot a basketball with either hand.”
Young and his brother, meanwhile, spent many hours at their YMCA in New Orleans growing up.
Young says the pair played basketball, swam, boxed and even learned how to shoot pool at the center.
So, who was the better athlete?
Young, 76, playfully replied: “Walter’s my little brother. He couldn’t beat me in boxing, swimming or playing pool.” And Buzz swears we could almost detect a twinkle in the former U.N. ambassador’s eye through the phone line as he added: “You may want to call Walter for verification on that.”
On May 4, the birthday girl herself is also slated to give “a special performance” during her 80th soiree.
And since we know you were wondering, Oprah Winfrey’s attendance has not yet been confirmed by the evening’s organizers (Buzz’s hunch? If Winfrey doesn’t show up to help celebrate her mentor’s milestone in person, a sizable donation will.) Tickets range from $500 (including VIP reception admission) to $250 and $100. Sponsorships ranging from $100,000 to $5,000 also remain available for the evening.
Call the Woodruff Arts Center box office for tickets or more info: 404-733-5000 or woodruffcentertickets.org.
‘BIG GIVE’ IN ATL
Five reality show contestants got trapped in metro Atlanta’s legendary traffic last spring for the “Oprah’s Big Give” episode that airs at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Host Nate Berkus wouldn’t tell Buzz what the specific challenge was, but each person was given a map and a car, landing them in Conyers, Decatur, Marietta, Newnan and Smyrna. Race-car driver Danica Patrick helped out.
The remaining challengers include Brandi, chipper former pageant queen; Sheg, an earnest medical researcher; Cameron, a sharp 23-year-old self-made millionaire; Stephen, a bright tech guy; and Rachael, a tough-as-nails singer.
The show merges quick-paced “race” elements of “The Amazing Race” with the more maudlin moments of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
Given Oprah’s lofty standards, the show has been a mild disappointment in ratings, opening at nearly 16 million viewers the first week but falling to fewer than 10 million the past two Sundays. To survive another season, the show probably can’t afford to lose many more.
OVERSCENE
Atlanta Hawks starting forward Josh Smith quietly working out a new team contract with his manager while dining at Stats downtown. We hear that the two used the restaurant’s more private basement space so Smith could slip out to Hawks practice at the adjacent Philips Arena.
TRANSITIONS
Last week’s Gutter Twins concert at the Roxy in Buckhead was the last of its kind. As was previously reported by the AJC’s Maria Saporta, in 2006, Charlie Loudermilk bought the Buckhead block that includes the venue. The founder and CEO of Aaron Rents said at the time that he plans to renovate it into an upscale arts and theater complex.
“So yes, that’ll be the last show in the Roxy as we knew it,” said promoter Peter Conlon. “It’s my understanding that it’s going to be gutted and totally redone. It should be great.”
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Saturday: Host John McLaughlin (“The McLaughlin Group”) is 81. Comedian Eric Idle is 65. Singer Perry Farrell of Porno for Pyros and Jane’s Addiction is 49. Comedian Amy Sedaris is 47.
Sunday: Actor Warren Beatty is 71. Musician Eric Clapton is 63. Actor Robbie Coltrane (“Harry Potter”) is 58. Singer Celine Dion is 40. Singer Norah Jones is 29.
Contributing: Rodney Ho, Sonia Murray and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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