The 200 who attended the Soirée d’Été had a great time savoring the flavors of France, thanks to food provided by , , , the , and others.
But it is Vanessa Torres Gangoo who will be experiencing the real deal. The development manager for held the winning ticket for the evening’s grand prize drawing: a trip to Paris.
in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District was the setting for festivities that also included jazz from the Patrick Lee Trio, a silent auction and beverages provided by Republic National Distributing Co., Maison Louis Jadot, Kronenbourg, Lillet and KJ Wood Distillers.
The $22,000 raised at Soirée d’Été goes to a fund that places Alliance teachers in Denver schools.
Creative Challenge Community School is the most recent recipient, with instructor Anne Timmerman conducting the five-week series of after-school classes for 16 students between the ages of 7 and 10.
The youngsters, Timmerman said, “Demonstrated an impressive focus, especially after a long school day. They clearly chose to be there, listening well and staying respectful and motivated.”
At the end of Week 5, the kids could recite numbers up to 20 in French, along with colors, their name and age, and their heads, shoulders, knees and toes.
Alliance Française de Denver is Colorado’s only French-language, culture and resource center, and funds over 80 cultural events a year.
“This is not a French organization,” explains executive director Philippe Marsé. “Our teachers come from Canada, Africa and all over the French-speaking world.” Membership is open to anyone interested in the French language and culture.
The Alliance Française was founded in Paris in 1883 by a group that included Louis Pasteur and Jules Verne.
It has grown to include 800 chapters in 137 countries.
Molly Brown held early meetings of the Alliance Française in Denver; her knowledge of the French language helped her assist fellow Titanic survivors in finding family and medical support.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/joannedavidson
