His wife is the popular vocalist, but at last Saturday’s Denim & Dazzle Gala, Denver’s mayor-elect, Michael Hancock, proved he, too, knows his way around a song.
The Isaac Points’ Jakarta Band was headlining this benefit hosted by Sigma Pi Phi fraternity’s Delta Eta Boule, and when lead singer Mary Louise Lee-Hancock called her husband to the Seawell Grand Ballroom stage midway through the first set, Hancock channeled his inner Commodores and let loose with a rendition of “Brick House” that brought the audience to its feet.
“Who knew?” mused the president of Delta Eta Boule, Dr. Reginald Washington.
Delta Eta Boule expected to raise $50,000 from Denim & Dazzle, an event held every other year to fund the college scholarships awarded by the 41-member organization. Membership in Delta Eta Boule is by invitation and reserved for African-American men who are successful in their respective professions.
“We are dedicated to mentoring and supporting the academic efforts of young men who we believe are destined to become the next generation of leaders,” Washington said, adding that 37 young men have received four-year scholarships since the Denver chapter was established in 2008.
The 2011 recipients — Paul Deaderick, a graduate of Cherokee Trail High School who will attend Williams College, and Malcolm Whye, who graduated from J.K. Mullen High School and will attend the University of Northern Colorado — attended the gala.
President-elect Scott Mitchell helped organize Denim & Dazzle, which turned the ballroom into an upscale nightclub with sofa seating, a deluxe buffet, additional music by DJ Dozen and DJ Cavem Moetavation, and an auction called by former Denver District Attorney Norm Early. The 510 guests included Denver Bronco Knowshon Moreno; Wilma and former Mayor Wellington Webb; Grace and former Manager of Safety Al LaCabe; Lonnie Porter; Gegertha and Dr. Nelson Mozia; Janet and Eula Adams; June and Dr. Johnny Johnson; Janet and retired Overland High School principal John Buckner with their son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Erin Buckner; Niambi Nicholes; Joel Coleman; Tom and Cleo Parker Robinson; and past president and Denver Post editor Gregory L. Moore with his wife, Nina Henderson Moore.Coming right up
A VIP reception and dinner at the Viceroy Snowmass tonight signals the start of a three-day basketball camp hosted by Denver Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin. Details can be found at kenyonmartin . . . . Lee Earnhart, owner of Chambers Wine & Liquors, has agreed to make a splash on Saturday afternoon in an effort to raise money for Volunteers of America. He’s setting up a dunk tank in the parking lot of his store, 15260 E. Iliff Ave. in Aurora, and customers can buy three balls for $1 and take aim from 1-3 p.m. . . . Brasserie Felix, Le Central and the Melting Pot are among the restaurants providing food for the July 16 French Summer Soiree that Alliance Francaise is having at Denver Botanic Gardens. The donation — $55 for members and $65 for guests — also includes music, wine and the chance to bid in an auction. Call 303-831-3040.
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Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
