The British American Business Group is trading in Georgia’s James Oglethorpe for James Bond at its annual gala this year in an effort to shake off the economic blues by celebrating a British tuxedo-clad icon and serving up an evening of “glitz and glamour.”

Ray Gilbert, the BABG’s executive director, told GlobalAtlanta that the times called for a new cast to the event and that Mr. Bond provided the perfect foil for those “who have been shaken but not stirred” by the current business news.

Unabashedly influenced by Sean Connery, Mr. Gilbert said that he would wear a kilt with his tuxedo and encouraged others to get out “their finest clothes for an evening of fun.”

Atlanta’s luxurious venue – the Pharaoh’s Palace and the Luxor Room of the King Tut exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center – is the locale for the “You Only Live Twice” event to be held on Saturday night, March 007, and is to include lots of dancing.

Catching the spirit, British Airways is sponsoring a martini bar and Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has contributed an autographed pair of 501 Levi’s to be auctioned off – waist 33, length 34.

Expect a lot of other Bond “For Your Eyes Only” memorabilia to be auctioned at the fundraiser. Mr. Brosnan has contributed a reproduction of his painting “Viva Cuba Libre,” and an autographed copy of “Mamma Mia,” a film in which he drops his Bond persona.

There also will be books galore including an autographed copy of Roger Moore’s  biography, “My Word Is My Bond.” 

Proceeds from the gala are to go in part to a scholarship fund for academic achievers from Atlanta's inner city so they may attend British universities. Mr. Connery praised the initiative in a letter to the BABG and saluted its members, especially those of Scottish heritage.

For more information, go to www.babg.org

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