…or more precisely, behold many Bonds, because the real stars shall in actual fact be YOU! For 007 is the theme at the first ever British Ball to be held in Nanjing. And the razzmatazz is all for a good cause, so look out those glad rags!
License to thrill, dress to impress; pull out all the clichés you can think of, for the ball is only 2 weeks away, on 15 May. And there can be hardly a better venue for it than the ballroom in Ritz Carlton, Nanjing.
Up in the northern capital, the British Ball of Beijing has been an annual fixture since 1998, and over the years has raised millions of renminbi for local good causes. And it’s this degree of philanthropy that the ball’s debut here in Nanjing hopes to emulate, given time.
But of course it will not be possible without the support of the local international community. Tickets are hardly cheap, but that makes them a sure-fire way of making a generous donation to chosen charity, Hopeful Hearts, which helps fund life-saving heart surgery for local children.
And the VIP guests will certainly also receive the kind of treatment that would make 007 himself proud.
First up will be a welcome cocktail reception (shaken, not stirred, of course), before a three-course meal created by Ritz-Carlton chefs, accompanied by free-flow drinks. Then it will be time for guests to get serious at the casino tables, to try their hands at roulette, blackjack and other games for charity.
As for that all-essential soundtrack for an event of this calibre, ball organisers are drafting in the high-energy, Studio 188, from Shanghai for the occasion. Dubbed “Shanghai’s Party Professionals”, the nine piece has had 16 years to perfect its craft through over 800 shows. Studio 188 have previously played at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, The World Music Festival, Miss Universe and the Australian Open.
By way of compliment comes DJ Marco, with his Italian romantic / deep house techno background. Seeking the groove inside out, Marco knows how to put together the old and new in ways that satisfy any music lover.
Slated to last from 6pm until 2am, the British Charity Ball of Nanjing is perhaps this year’s best opportunity to get together, have a little fun and raise funds for charity.
Individual tickets are priced at ¥1,500, while a table of ten is going for ¥13,000. Head over the ball’s official home on the web to make a purchase via this link, or scan the QR code below for ticket purchase and further information.
Last but not least, there will also be the Best Dressed Bond award. And with a female real 007 a distinct possibility in the not so distant future, the ladies have a good chance of winning too.
And with all those free-flow drinks, at least there won’t be a serious champagne shortage (Miss Moneypenny).
