EVIDENCE A DANCE COMPANY HAMPTONS BASH

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EVIDENCE A DANCE COMPANY
HAMPTONS GALA
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Prince Omilana Kulne And Princess Keisha Omilana

Audrey Smaltz With Ken Smaltz And Gail Marquis

Joyce Jackson With Bernard Jackson And Jocelyn Taylor

On Our toes in The Hamptons, the 6th annual visit of Ronald K. Brown’s world acclaimed Evidence, A Dance Company to the East End proved to be once again one of the most electrifying cultural events of the summer season. Held this year at the Watermill aerie of the Honorable Bernard Jackson and his wife Joyce Mullins-Jackson, vice chairman of the Evidence Board of Directors, the late afternoon fete drew over 300 luminaries from across the country including First Lady of New York, Michelle Paterson, award winning actress, Lynn Whitefield, Christian Dior President Stephane Barraque and scores more of the Hamptons’ & New York’s most glittering movers and shakers.The very social Alicia Bythewood chaired the event which began with drinks poolside under bright sunny skies. Guests munched on a dazzling array of seafood appetizers from Spicy mini crab cakes to the quintessential Hamptons treat tiny lobster rolls washing it all down with chilled Veuve Clicquot Champagne or the specially created 10 Cane Rum Toe Tapper. Following cocktails African drummers led the way through the dense woods to the massive party tent transformed into an island paradise by Anthony Bell and Deanna Annis. Former CBS Early Show co-host Rene Syler emceed the afternoon’s proceedings and proved she has a second career in comedy if she so desires. The delightful Syler introduced the company’s new executive director Bruce Michael who laid out some of the plans fro the troupe’s upcoming 25th anniversary season in 2010 including a State Department sponsored tour of Africa.There were numerous luxury items auctioned off including dazzling bejeweled Christian Dior watches, a one of a kind pen created to commemorate Mathew Henson, the first African-American to reach the South Pole and a once-in-a lifetime chance to attend a Rockettes rehearsal at Radio City Music Hall. But the highlight of the event is always the performance by the company. Brown himself danced the powerful “For You” to Donny Hathaway's popular tune sung live by Gordon Chambers. The afternoon closed with the spirited and emotional “Walk Out the Dark” performed by 4 members of the company. At the end of the dance Brown and the rest of the company joined the dancers on stage for an impromptu dance finale that incorporate the whole audience.


About Evidence, A Dance Company



The mission of Evidence, Inc. is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora through dance and storytelling. The Company’s performances provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation. In addition to public performances, Evidence sponsors outreach programs, workshops, master classes and educational activities for dance enthusiasts of all ages.

Evidence, A Dance Company is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization founded by Choreographer and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown. The company tours to some 30 communities around the world annually. It has also traveled overseas to Cuba, Brazil, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Mexico and Senegal to perform, teach master classes and conduct lecture / demonstrations for young people. Evidence will celebrate its 25th anniversary season in 2010.
Photos By: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure