Converse Knows How To Call The Shots!

Holdin’ it down for over 100 years as an iconic sneaker, the ball was in Converse’s court as it hosted “The Converse Takeover” throughout Atlanta from Apr. 27 to May 1, 2010. The three-day festivities celebrated competition; lifestyle; music and humanitarianism.

Of course, everyone had a ball! Beginning on Wed., selected press along with a few tastemakers were invited to “The Converse Closet,” a private gifting lounge at the Marquis Marriott. Guests were treated in a penthouse suite to a light lunch; an open Grey Goose or wine cocktail bar; a mix-and-mingle social and a pair of complimentary sneakers.

Friday night was the in-door block party. “The Tip Off” jumped off at the Georgia Freight Room, located at downtown’s Georgia Building Authority. The press was also invited to an advanced screening of the venue; a sneak preview of upcoming Converse campaigns along with a brief history of Converse’s signature youth-oriented Open Gym Program. The post-industrial warehouse set was taken to new heights: mounting large projectors, along with a few shoe displays, on the brick walls to show off the Fall 2010 collection. Rainbow-colored collages of basketballs marked with the crest and star insignia were plastered within the venue. Attendees experienced a custom t-shirt stand (resembling an old ice cream truck); a photo booth; open bars; lounging areas with leather furniture and light hors d’oeuvres.

“The Tip Off” was an old trip ‘round the way. The Freight Room morphed into a basketball court on the other side with a few pick-up games as the party went on. Equipped with headphones, smaller monitors in the hall aired mini-movies that celebrated some of the local unsung heroes that go hard in the paint. A mini-display of mounted basketballs commemorated Converse’s various community initiatives with Atlanta youth. Here’s a quick listing of what Converse is doing to make a difference in the ‘A-town:’

• Collaborating with 18 metro Atlanta community centers
• 246 total schools (including 143 DeKalb County schools, 83 elementary schools and 103 Atlanta Public Schools)
• 150,379 total students (49,300 in Atlanta Public Schools)
• Donated 3,000 basketballs

Saturday morning kicked off with the “Band of Ballers” 3-on-3 tournament at the Clark Atlanta University Gym. Jermaine Dupri and Shawty Lo were among some of the surprise appearances and team captains. Surprisingly, rap artists Jim Jones and Cam’Ron both participated in the pick up games: also the first time the two former Diplomats co-horts made a public appearance together since their conflicts. In the wake of the recent event at Morehouse College featuring Atlanta Hawks’ Maurice “Mo” Evans, the second installment of Converse Open Gym also took place on the campus of Georgia Tech.

Later that evening, everyone sat poolside for the encore: the BBallQue Party for the Floyd Mayweather – Shane Mosely fight. Held at Dallas Austin’s mansion, or The Austorium, the multi-rotund posh estate featured décor paying homage to abstract art; black-and-white classic rock and roll photography; Life Magazine covers and an entire wall dedicated to “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown. Other rooms gave off a contemporary mod vibe: layered with shag carpeting, large plasma screens, hollow oval shelves; slanted rooftops; hidden and spiral staircases. Upstairs and on the balcony, the Belvedere was flowing. The smell from the grill swarmed the mansion and the deck while the Italian shaved ices cooled everyone off from the heat. Guests also walked away with multiple complimentary sneakers.

Even after all these years, Converse still knows how to keep it laced.