On the same night audiences flocked to movie theaters to check out how well Daniel Craig would fill Sean Connery’s or Roger Moore’s shoes in portraying the legendary James Bond, 250 friends of Kent Denver School’s Summerbridge program assembled at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for a fundraiser befitting the martini-drinking action-adventure hero.
Be007 was chaired by Kimberly Tulp, a member of the Summerbridge Advancement Committee, and guests were encouraged to dress as 007, a sexy Bond Girl or as one of the many villains Bond has put to rest.
Sill-TerHar Motors enhanced the atmosphere by lending an Aston Martin DBS, similar to the one featured in the current release of “Casino Royale,” and the Hazel Miller Band provided the dance music that followed cocktails and a buffet supper. After the last song, many of those present adjourned to Steuben’s for a “shaken, not stirred” after-party.
“We set out to plan an event that would encourage a new generation of Denver-area professionals to learn about Summerbridge and its impact on high-need middle school students from the Denver Public Schools,” Tulp said. “We also wanted to have some fun and look forward to expanding the event in future years.”
Summerbridge is conducted on weekends and throughout the summer on the Kent campus and helps prepare the young participants for college and life after high school.
Executive director Mike Turner pointed out that 90 percent of Summerbridge students graduate from high school and 82 percent continue on to colleges or other learning situations. Summerbridge courses are free.
Riverfront Community Foundation was the presenting sponsor; other support came from Nelnet, Walt Klein Advertising, the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Northstar Investment Advisors, Sill-TerHar Motors, Steuben’s, U.S. Capital Investment Management, and Vincent Longo.
Looking ahead
The Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale opens with the traditional Red Carpet Reception Jan. 3. It’s at the National Western Stock Show Expo Hall and the dress is “cowboy cocktail.” Rose Fredrick is curating the show; advisory committee members include chairman Kevin McMahon, Nancy Lake Benson, Tim Connors, Doug Jones, Harriet Kelly and Anthony Mayer … Linda and Jimmy Yip are advising their friends to mark Feb. 10 on their calendars. That’s when they host their Chinese New Year party to benefit the Nathan Yip Foundation … The Denver Antiques Show & Sale will run April 20-22 at Wings Over the Rockies. It kicks off April 19 with cocktails and a buffet supper, benefiting the Central City Opera.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com.
