Movers & Shakers Gather in the Hamptons to Support Evidence, A Dance Company

Ronald K. Brown (artistic director) and Reginald Canal of HSBC (and Evidence Board Member).


Bernard Hampton Jackson III, Esq. Judge Bernard Jackson II and Nia Gandy of HYT ME



Nadja Bellen-White, VP/Dir, Marketing for Publicis Modem and friends.


Author/Producer Crystal McCrary Anthony, Reginald Van Lee (Chair of Evidence and Partner at Booz Allen Hamilton) and guests




(Photos: Margot Jordan)

The Brooklyn-based Evidence, A Dance Company held their 5th annual summer fundraiser "On Our Toes" in the Hamptons last week at Nova's Ark Sculputure Park. The annual benefit was held to support community outreach activities and educational programs for performing arts enthusiasts of all ages. Highly regarded choreographer and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown founded Evidence in 1985 and the company tours across the U.S. and abroad 25 – 30 weeks a year.

Numerous prominent philanthropists, celebrities and senior executives of the African-American community were all smiles and looked summer chic as they supported the worthy cause. "On Our Toes" was initiated by Evidence Board Chair, Reginald Van Lee of Booz Allen Hamilton and Susan Taylor, former editorial director of Essence Magazine. This summer's Honorary Chair was writer, producer and activist Crystal McCrary Anthony and TV personality René Syler was the mistress of ceremonies.

Evidence patrons contributed $500 each and enjoyed a cocktail reception, dance performance and a "Dancing with the Dancers" after-party. "On Our Toes" notable sponsors included: HSBC Premier, 10 Cane Rum, Pfizer, Verizon, Bloomberg, Sony OLED, Banyan Tree Mayakoba Residencies, Booz Allen Hamilton, Continental Airlines, Emily and Ashley, Hamptons.com, Dr. N. V. Perricone, The Ark Project, Tiffany & Co. and UPTOWN magazine.

If you missed out on this fabulous charitable event, not to worry, Evidence will be hosting its other major fundraiser: Winter Gala in Manhattan on February 3, 2009 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel.
Special thanks to Andrea Hoffman!!
View my post from Winter Gala 2008

Big Boi Injects His Life & Hip-Hop into the Atlanta Ballet

Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, half of the hip-hop duo OutKast is giving ballet a hip-hop makeover. The Atlanta Ballet approached Patton with the idea of "big", a play about the travels and experience of a young and innocent Big Boi who has an imaginary friend .

The 90- minute performance will host 80 cast members and live music from Big Boi along with other hip-hop artists such as Sleepy Brown.

"We're opening with Verdi and then we have a very popular Big Boi song, 'Morris Brown.' Right away, the contrasts will be startling," says Lauri Stallings, the choreographer of "big."

"Big" will hold 6 performances from April 10-14th at the beautiful Fox Theatre in Atlanta, plan are in the works to take "big" on a national tour. Visit http://atlantaballet.com/fs_bigboi.htm
for more information.

(Source: The WallStreet Journal)

Flashes: Evidence Dance "Grace in Winter" The Red Ball 2008

Philanthropists, artists, socialites, celebs and movers & shakers of black society gathered on Monday at the Hudson Theater at the Millenium Broadway Hotel in New York City for Evidence, A Dance Company's "Grace in Winter" the Red Ball.

In 1985, at the age of 19, Artistic Director and Choreographer Ronald K. Brown founded the New York-based Evidence/A Dance Company. Brown creates intriguing dance stories by blending traditional African, Latin and Caribbean dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word in response to the current cultural climate and human condition. The dance company has performed in venues across North America and has toured in Cuba, Brazil, Greece, Korea, Hungary, and Senegal.
Brown is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including a a New York Dance and Performance Award (a “Bessie”), John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in Choreography, a National Endowment for the Arts Choreographers’ Fellowship.

Dressed to the nines, guests wore for black tie and red attire with a beautiful atmosphere enhanced by beautiful "Black Magic" roses. The guest list read like a who's who directory including, Film legend, Cicely Tyson, Director Debbie Allen, actress Tamara Tunie, Jerri DeVard, Terry McMillan, Susan L. Taylor, Khephra Burns, Sybil Chester, Dwight Johnson, b Michael, Jocelyn Taylor, Audrey Bernard, Lisa Arrindell and Reginald Van Lee.

Tickets for the Ball ranged from $1K-$50K and the event was generously sponsored by HSBC Premier and Gala Chair Nancy A. Armand. Gala committe members Cicely Tyson and Pauletta Washington looked amazing. The gala dinner was hosted by Leslie Mays of Pfizer and Mistress of Ceremonies was Renee Syler, who are also on the Gala Committee. Gala Co-chair/ Benefactor Monica F. Azare of Verizon Lola C. West was the Gala Dessert Host. Other notable sponsors who supported the Red Ball were: BET/MTVN, Reginald Van Lee of Booz Allen Hamilton, Lola C. West and Wayne Winborne of Prudential Financial, to name a few.


Click here for Evidence's tour schedule.

All-Black "Vagina Monologues" to Raise Money for V-Day Campaign

Yetta Young

Sherri Shepard


Terri Vaughn


This weekend, on February 16th, an all black cast will perform Eve Ensler's play "The Vagina Monologues," in Washington, DC. "Vagina Monologues" is an award winning play written with powerful dialogue meant to inspire female empowerment and inner strength. Yetta Young, a black female Executive Producer and NAACP Theatre Award nominee is staging the performance in support of V-Day.

V-Day, held on or around Valentine's Day, is a national campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and is celebrated in more than 81 countries. Proceeds from the play will help support other local organizations that specialize in curbing violence. Since 1998, V-Day, a non-profit corporation, has raised more than $30 million. Those funds are distributed to grassroots, national, and international programs that work to stop violence against women and girls.

After DC, the tour continues to Nashville, TN, on March 1, and Detroit, MI, on March 8. This year, Young’s all-star celebrity cast will include Star Jones, Dawnn Lewis, Sherri Shepherd, Vanessa Williams, Terri J. Vaughn, Gloria Mayfield Banks, Ella Joyce and Taj Johnson-George, to name a few.

Visit www.vdaytour.com for more information.

Flashes: Naomie Harris & Thandie Newton BAFTA Awards

It's the film and music awards season and last night the Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) were held in London.

British sistas Naomie Harris and Thandie Newton dazzled and brought much needed color to the event. Naomi wore a vibrant turquoise gown by Escada and Thandie worked a sexy black gown by Alexander McQueen.
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African Film Festival in Boston

From February 1-29th the Museum of Fine Arts Boston will be hosting its 8th annual Boston African Film Festival. The festival will showcase 13 new releases from African Cinema and highlights from the the New York African Film Festival. Many genres of film will be displayed, including documentaries, dramas and short films. The thirteen films premiering in Boston are from several African nations like Zimbabwe and Cameroon.

Kicking off the film festival tomorrow is the screening of Franco Sacchi's "This is Nollywood." The film lets viewers in on Nigeria's booming film industry and how it'll effect the African culture and economy. Sacchi's film is gaining international momentum and has already picked up a few accolades. Most Nollywood films are done on a shoestring budget of $10,000 and shot in under 10 days. Here's the trailer from "This is Nollywood."

Flashes:San Francisco Ballet's 75th Anniversary

Sofiane Sylve and Anthony Spaulding

Bevan Dufty with Ken McNeely, Patti Jo Rutledge, Lindsey Humphrey and John Rutledge

Pamela Joyner

Patrons


(Photos:San Francisco Chronicle/Gate)

Gala season is in full effect and last night, patrons of the San Francisco Ballet were dressed to the nines as they celebrated the dance company's 75th anniversary. The gala is the the ballet's primary fundraiser and drew over 1,300 guests to a formal dinner at City Hall.

Guests enjoyed selections from the upcoming season, as well as a special performance by celebrity choreographer Wade Robson.

Some notable patrons on the scene were San Francisco District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty and Socialite, Pamela Joyner upped the glamour quo wearing a bejeweled ballet pink satin Dior gown.

Casa Ricordi Gala in Miami

Diva, Indra Thomas

Eduardo Villa with Indra Thomas

Mark Rucker

Sheldon Anderson and family.

Mark Rucker with Eglise Guitierrez
(Photos:Social Miami)


This past Saturday, patrons and performers gathered for a pre-concert benefit reception for Orchestra Miami and the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

After the reception everyone enjoyed the 2008 Premiere Concert of Orchestra Miami at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium. The evening honored the 200th anniversary of highly regarded music publishers Casa Ricordi and featured a spectacular opera review of popular Ricordi catalogue selections. The audience was entertained and gave several standing ovations to guests performers Elise Gutierrez, Indra Thomas, Mark Rucker and Gregory Schmidt. The Civic Chorale of Greater Miami also performed. Soprano, Indra Thomas dazzled like a true diva in her beautiful, beaded red gown. UM/Sylvester Cancer board member and president of Northern Trust Bank of Florida for Miami-Dade, Sheldon T. Anderson and his wife Florence attended the concert with their two sons.

After the concert, patrons were invited to a cast party at the Ricordi home.

Blast From the Past: Roz Ryan

Chicago actors, Roz Ryan and John Schneider
(Photos: Peter James Zielinski)

OMG, does anyone remember the late 80's/early 90's sitcom Amen? Well, Roz Ryan played Deacon Frye's church secretary. When I saw these photos I couldn't believe my eyes, she looks as good if not better than she did 15-20 years ago! It's great to see her still working successfully as a thespian. You can watch her in action playing the part of Matron "Mama" Morton in the uber- successful Broadway musical, Chicago. Chicago's only back for a nine-week limited engagement through Sunday, March 16.

Visit www.ChicagotheMusical.com for more information.

Beyonce Goes Bollywood

Beyoncé is slated to appear in an upcoming Bollywood movie called, Kambakth Ishq. Bollywood is India's highly successful movie industry, the movies usually are musicals with a lot of choreography. None the less, very entertaining. The movie will be directed by Sabir Khan and is the first time a mainstream Indian producer is making such an international film, merging Indian and Hollywood cinema.

They don't call Beyoncé "the hardest working woman in showbiz" for nothing.

Kathleen Battle to Sing in the New Year in China

World-acclaimed and uber-talented American soprano Kathleen Battle and Chinese pianist Lang Lang, will perform at the international opening of The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing's brand-new state-of-the-art performing arts center. Both artists will appear in special gala performances on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with the China National Symphony Orchestra led by the highly sought-after Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, who is currently the music director of the Vienna State Opera.

An American treasure, Battle has earned countless accolades for her luminous voice called "without qualification, one of the very few most beautiful in the world" by The Washington Post.

Kathleen Battle's performances in China will also mark the beginning of a major year for the five-time Grammy-winning opera singer, who is a favored soloist with the world's most esteemed conductors and orchestras. In spring 2008, Battle will return to New York City's Carnegie Hall for her first recital there in many years. In 1991, Battle made her Carnegie Hall solo recital debut as part of the famed concert hall's 100th anniversary season. A celebrated recording of her performance received a Grammy Award.
Take a minute to view a clip of this diva singing like a bird.

Future Star: Jamia Simone Nash

Georgia peach, Jamia Simone Nash is a multi-talented young lady who is too cute to boot. Jamia's only 11 years-old but she's already garnering respect as a actress and singer. She's performed at the Apollo, 2003 Essence Awards, singing Michael Jackson's "Who's Lovin You" honoring Mary J Blige. She and her younger sister Olivia sing the hook in the song "Black Girl Pain" on Talib Kweli's 2004 album The Beautiful Struggle; she also sings in the hook for "Black Maybe" on Common's 2007 album Finding Forever.

The young actress has landed some solid movie roles as well. She played a ten-year-old Fantasia Barrino in the 2006 Lifetime Original Movie Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story, and has a role in new movie August Rush.

Coined as MC Lily, Nash sang about the alphabet on Nick Jr. Her song "Bongo Bird" was featured as a video on the Noggin series Jack's Big Music Show. She provides the singing voice for the character Uniqua on The Backyardigans. Jamia has also had cameos in episodes of 7th Heaven, Romeo!, My Wife and Kids, and appeared as herself on The Tony Danza Show, Half & Half and Big Time.

This little girl has extraordinary star quality. I can't wait to see how her future pans out for her.

Peforming Michael Jackson' "Who's Lovin You"



Song "Raise it Up" from movie

Will Smith's "I am Legend" Makes History

Actor, Will Smith is a box office legend. His recent movie I am Legend debuted at an estimated $76.5 million in ticket sales this weekend in North America, the largest December opening in history.

In 'Legend,' Smith stars as a scientist who is the world's lone survivor of a virus that transforms humans into blood-thirsty mutants.

Harlem Honors 'Mockingbird' Actress Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton, a former Harlem resident, was honored by the Harlem community for her acting career and for being a positive role model for young people. The former harlem resident, received her honor at the Museum of the City of New York with about 250 middle school students in attendance. There also was a screening and discussion of the movie,To Kill a Mockingbird, which starred Gregory Peck and was based on the Harper Lee novel of the same name. To Kill a Mockingbird, set in a small Alabama town during the 1930s, examines the life of Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape.

Hamilton, who's the only surviving black adult actor with a speaking role in the 1962 classic film, said
"I think it is terrific," ... "I'm very pleased and very surprised."

Flashes: I Am Legend and The Great Debaters Movie Premieres

I Am Legend star Will Smith and Wife Jada


Actor/Singer Tyrese


Singer Mary J Blige with Husband Kendu



Rapper Bow Wow and Singer Omarion



Will and Family


Actors Sally Richardson and Dondre Whitfield

Black star power was out last night in New York and LA supporting Will Smith's I Am Legend and Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters movie premieres. Be sure to check these films out and make sure your ticket stub has the correct movie title on it.

The Great Debater star, Denzel Washington with Wife Pauletta, LaTanya and Samuel Jackson.


Oprah Winfrey


Actress Kimberly Elise

Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson


Actress Tia Mowery


Actor/Director/Writer Tyler Perry


Actress Vanessa Williams


Actress Holly and Rodney Peete

(Photos:WireImage)

Flashes: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Opening Night Gala

Gala Co-Chairs


Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder


Artistic Director/Co-chair, Judith Jamison and Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya


Co-chairs: Sandy and Joan Weill, Kathryn and Kenneth Chenault


Tamara Tunie



Janice and Christopher Williams


Bruce Gordon, Twana Tibbs and Rev. Jesse Jackson


Harold Ford and fiancee


Russell Simmons, Porschia Coleman and Rev. Jesse Jackson



World renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicked off their season with an Opening Night Gala in New York. The benefit raised more than $2.7 million for all Ailey’s essential programs with support from over 1300 patrons. The Gala performance featured the company premiere of Firebird, choreographed by Maurice Béjart, Reflections in D, a solo Mr. Ailey created for himself in 1962, and the globally acclaimed, Revelations.

A heart-felt tribute by Artistic Director Judith Jamison and Gala Co-chairs Joan and Sandy Weill was paid to Maurice Béjart, who passed away one week before the Gala as "an innovator, humanist and a citizen of culture and the world." The AAADT received outstanding reviews for their opening night performances from The New York Times who stated Clifton Brown was "Perfect for the role" in Firebird, as well as, "Matthew Rushing's lyrical control proves riveting, beautifully attuned to Eric Scott Reed's live performance at the piano."


Dancers and patrons alike, looked glamorous as they united for dinner and dancing at the New York Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom later that evening. Designers, Badgley Mischka bedecked the the female luminaries of AAADT in their Platinum Collection. In a nutshell, the night was a beautiful success.

Dancers: Willy Laury, Ebony Haswell and Yusha-Marie Sorzano


Dancers: Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Oliva Bowman


Alexis Clark


Alicia Graf


Thelma Golden


Dancers: Hope Boykin, Rosalyn Deshauteurs and guest.


Alvin Ailey Dancers

Click here for a schedule of upcoming performances.