Zo & Magic's 8-Ball Challenge
Centennial Building in Fair Park
The red carpet walks kicked off at 7.30 p.m., with Mourning's appearance leading the way.
Early attendees were held in a "reception area," separated from the pool
tables by a blue carpet and curtains. Everyone was pretty much told to
hold the line and wait for speeches from the hosts.
The crowd got a restless, though--so much so that Magic had to
hush the room for a few minutes so the speaker could finish. As for
what was bring said, we weren't really listening. Instead, we were
trying to peak behind the curtain to see the paid sponsors do their
photo shoots with the stars. Thankfully, that didn't last very long,
and, soon enough, all guests spilled into the main room, accosting the
open bar and
snagging places at the pool tables to compete against their favorite
celebs.
For someone easily starstruck, this event could have easily
sent them into cardiac arrest.
A-Listers walked the room and mingled
with guests like they were all at a house party. And, between cameras being
thrust into their faces, the hosts actually got to get in some really
good pool games.
The arrival of Dwyane Wade caused a particular furor: The micro-cocktail dresses and
liquid leggings gravitated to him like The Force.
It was 11 p.m. and
snowing outside but he strolled in, sunglasses on, with the kind of
swagger only reserved for slow-motion shots in rap videos. It was quite
humbling.
All in all, the event was great for lounging and
celeb-watching. But it wasn't the raucous time people often associate
with the All-Star Game.
Celebs Spotted: Alonzo Mourning, Magic Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Tom
Joyner, Donna Richardson-Joyner, Cheryl Underwood, Terrell Owens, Pat
Smith, Chamillionaire, Stephen A. Smith, Mark Cuban and Dwyane Wade.
Celebs promoted: Alonzo Mourning, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Tom
Joyner, Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), Mark Cuban, Allan Houston, Amar'e
Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns), Anthony Anderson, Chamillionaire, Chris Bosh
(Toronto Raptors), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Chris Tucker,
Common, Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), DJ Irie, Dorrough (Rapper), Ed
Lover, Emmitt Smith, Erica Hubbard (Actress "Lincoln Heights"), Fred
Hammond, Gabrielle Union, Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats), James
Brown "JB", Jarrett Jack (Toronto Raptors), Jarvis Green (New England
Patriots), JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), Joe Johnson (Atlanta
Hawks), Jordan Farmar (LA Lakers), Julius "Dr. J." Erving, Karlie Redd
(Cash Money Records artist), Ken Hamlin (Dallas Cowboys), Kenny Lofton
(MLB), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Mario Lopez, Martellus
Bennett (Dallas Cowboys), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat), Michael Bivins,
Nancy Lieberman (WNBA), Ndamukong Suh (top NFL prospect), Nelly, Paul
Pierce (Boston Celtics), Rashard McCants (NBA), Shannon Brown (LA
Lakers), Spud Webb (NBA), Stephen Curry (Sacramento Kings), Stephen A.
Smith, Steve Smith (NBA), Terrence Newman (Dallas Cowboys), Tyreke
Evans (Sacramento Kings), and Vivica A. Fox
Drinks Slung: Ciroc was a sponsor and the specialty drinks were all
sorts of Ciroc concoctions. But the "Tropical" was the ladies' favorite.
Music Played: Definitely an East Cost party--lots of Jay-Z,
Biggie, Kanye, with a little old school soul thrown in.
Clothes Worn: Considering it was an exclusive, invite-only affair one
would expect more cocktail attire. There were suits and microscopic
cocktail dresses in the building, but the scene was heavily over-run
with the designer jeans-and-a-hot-shirt-and-boots look for both men and
women. T.O. Kept his knit beanie on for most of the night. Every once
in a while a pair of sequin or metallic liquid leggings would saunter
over to the latest star to hit the door.
