We never really thought of Scandinavia needing a profile boost. After all, we’ve embraced them as a part of us: H&M, Ikea, Nokia, salmon in a tube — what more could they ask for?
But then again, that’s why special events like last weekend’s K-Swss Global Tennis Showdown, a benefit for the Swedish School of Los Angeles, get put together. The org helps promote Swedish culture and language education in Los Angeles. Now we know.
The afternoon of exhibitions, held at the L.A. Tennis Center on the UCLA campus (a stone’s throw away from TSF headquarters), was hosted by Swede Will Ferrell and featured compatriot Mats Wilander along with Justin Gimelstob and Rainn Wilson (in his “Quiet Please” tee). Their afternoon of antics raised more than $50,000 for the school.
Ferrell wielded his oversize Prince EXO3 racquet for part of his singles match against Wilander (Wilander won 15-14). After that, they doubled up to beat Wilson and Gimelstob. Both matches were umped by comedian Andy Richter.
After the matches, The Dan Band entertained the crowd as they milled about a silent auction and grubbed on barbecue. Personally, we would have preferred other guys-who-cover-girls-who-sing-about-guys artists, like David Cook (“Always Be My Baby” [vid]) and Gavin Castleton (“Nothing Compares 2 U” [vid]), but they don’t quite fit with the testosterone-filled afternoon…
Buy: K-Swiss Sublimated Polo in olympian blue/navy, white/lime, white/blue, or white/black for $55.00; Prince EXO3 racquets, $169-$279, list of dealers here and download a coupon for $20 off sticks until June 15.
More picks: Drool over some cute K-Swiss zip tops and hoodies along with tees from UK e-shop Mainline.
(top image by Getty courtesy of Prince; Gimelstob/Wilson and Richter photos by Brian To/Elevation Photos courtesy of K-Swiss)
nope. I was out of town 🙁
did you make it to the event erwin?