Report: George Lazenby event at The International Spy Museum

By: Björn Gävert

Published:
2018-10-29

George Lazenby International Spy Museum Washington

On Global James Bond Day, October 5, 2018, The International Spy Museum in Washington DC arranged A Very Bond Farewell feat. George Lazenby and I had the privilege of getting an invitation to this exclusive event just a week before. It was of course a great honour and a fantastic opportunity, so I booked my flights and made the travel arrangements from Sweden right away...

The event was specially put together to say good bye to the Spy Museum’s official 007 exhibition Exquisitely Evil - 50 Years of Bond Villains [officially closes on January 1, 2019] and kicked off by serving cocktails after hours in the museum to start with. We mingled in the lobby and I had the chance there to meet up with fellow enthusiast from the US and Canada including David Zaritsky, the man behind The Bond Experience, Jeff Wybo (James Bond Canada), and Joe Darlington (Being James Bond).

There were also quite a few that had taken the opportunity to dress up nicely for the event and even some as their favourite villain or wearing their favourite kilt for the occasion.

George Lazenby with Bond Girls at International Spy Museum

George Lazenby mingling with guests at The International Spy Museum. Photo by Pierre Funes Visuals. All rights reserved.

After the mingle and some brief photo opportunities with the star of the evening, George Lazenby was lead upstairs for an interview and Q&A hosted by The International Spy Museum’s Adult Education Director, Amanda Ohlke.

Amanda Ohlke with George Lazenby at International Spy Museum

Amanda Ohlke with George Lazenby at The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Photo by Pierre Funes Visuals. All rights reserved.

George Lazenby audience at International Spy Museum

George Lazenby audience at International Spy Museum

This was truly the highlight of the evening because George didn’t just answer a few questions from Amanda and the audience, he shared his story with such inspiration and passion that even though I had just recently seen the documentary Becoming Bond (now available on DVD and online streaming services such as Hulu), just this session alone was well worth the trip over the Atlantic Ocean.

For those interested, The International Spy Museum published a full video of the Q&A with George on their You Tube channel:

To finalize the evening, everybody got the chance to go down to the Bond exhibition and get their own personal photo with George.

Photo opportunity with George Lazenby at The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Photo by Pierre Funes Visuals. All rights reserved.

George Lazenby with guest at International Spy Museum

George Lazenby with guest at International Spy Museum

George Lazenby with a guest at The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Photo by Pierre Funes Visuals. All rights reserved.

This is truly an evening that I will treasure for a long time and I cannot thank Amanda Abrell (Vice President of Marketing & Communications for The International Spy Museum) and Anders Frejdh (George Lazenby's manager) enough for their commitment and efforts that made this evening so special and memorable.

The International Spy Museum staff with George Lazenby in Washington, DC. Photo by Pierre Funes Visuals. All rights reserved.

Report by Björn Gävert. Copyright © 2018 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

Editor's Note
Articles in media about this event included WTOP, Reader’s Digest, The Bond Experience, WUSA-DC (CBS), WUSA-DC (CBS), WUSA, WUSA Online, WUSA Online, and WASH-FM.

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Report: George Lazenby event at The International Spy Museum

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