More than 350 Invited Guests, VIP’s and Social Swells Turned Out for CliqueAtlanta’s Luxe Over-The-Top Launch Extravaganza.

From the moment guest pulled into the driveway of “ The Pink Palace”, currently the most expensive home for sale in the Atlanta market at $20M, it was evident that this was no ordinary event.

 With the CliqueAtlanta logo dramatically emblazoned onto The façade of the breathtaking Italian Baroque manse, and the logos of Goldwasser Signature Jewelry and The Streets of Buckhead (the evening’s title sponsors) lighting up the driveway where guests were greeted by 18 handsome valet; one might have thought that there was enough pomp and circumstance in that first impression to last the entire night but it was only the beginning.

Upon entering the stately drawing room, we were graciously welcomed by Advisory Board Members Aida Flamm, Tony Conway, Kevin Knaus, Marsha Middleton and generous homeowner Zurab Lezhava.  After smiling for the cameras, and kissing hello to Sandra and Dan Baldwin, Marilyn and Howard Krone, Danielle Berry, and Andrew McDonald of productionpeople Inc. (he’s the genius behind the party’s hi-tech ambiance), we made our way to the bar.  Actually, to one of the four bars that distributor Diageo had literally overflowing with every type of libation imaginable.

We then set out to discover all of the different moods of each room, and quickly realized there were actually more like five parties happening at the same time!

The mansion, which was designed by the famous Southern architect Philip Shutze, had originally been built for grand entertaining, making it the perfect layout for the night’s event. The energy in the Pink Palace was electric.

Making our way to the interactive computer stations, we downloaded pics taken on our cell phones at the party to the Clique-Live site.  Then on to the dining room (one of our favorites), as Tony Conway’s A Legendary Event had prepared a sumptuous spread fit for royalty. Not to mention his immaculate servers discretely passing trays laden with the most delectable delights.  Satiated, it was time to explore the glorious poolside that Event Design Group had transformed into an oh-so Delano-esque scene, complete with sofas, ottomans and glass tables. Above the pool we caught a surreal glimpse of ourselves on a gigantic movie screen that had up-to-the-minute pictures of the party’s attendees flashing across, taking the motto “instant social gratification” to new heights!

Fire-throwers with chains and hoola-hoops ablaze added even more heat to the night and helped to further illuminate the pool where the CliqueAtlanta Logo was projected artfully on the bottom.

We caught up with CliqueAtlanta founder, Tonya Ellerby, in the pool house where she was dancing up a storm with Randi Layne, Ken Goldwasser, Angela Karatassos, Marcia Singletary, and Adam Malm. At one point, we’re pretty sure we caught a spur-of-the-moment limbo break out with the belt of some party-happy guest’s belt that had been liberated by Liz McDermott.

Back inside and down the steps, the basement (aka Clique Lounge) was reinvented into a BuddhaBar-inspired (yes, we’re talking about the one in France) nightclub. With deejay Jeff Burnisky from Absolute Entertainment artfully mixing deep house sounds, a rare scotch tasting poured by Diageo’s Frank Mendez and Joe Martin wearing kilts and full Scottish regalia.  Scott Higley was overheard commenting to Alison Womack that he felt as if he were jet setting in Paris!

It would be hard to choose a favorite spot or moment at this elegant event. All we can say is that we’re happy to be in the Clique!