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.

Flashes: NAACP Image Awards Luncheon

NAACP Chairperson, Clayola Brown

Actress, Keesha Sharp

Actress, Jurnee Smollet

Actor, Terry Crews

Actor, Corbin Bleu

Model, Eva Pigford

Actress, Erica Hubbard

Director, Millicent Shelton
(Photos:Frederick M. Brown)

This past Saturday the NAACP held its 39th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Every year the NAACP Image Awards honors the best in entertainment. The award show airs this Thursday, February 14th. There are 36 competitive categories in the fields of motion picture, television, music and literature. Ruby Dee will be honored with the Chairman's Award, Stevie Wonder will be inducted into the NAACP Image Hall of Fame and Aretha Franklin will receive the Vanguard Award.

Flashes: Kimora, Djimon Hounsou, Star Jones and Amerie @ Baby Phat 2008

Couple, Djimon Hounsou & Kimora Lee

Amerie

Keesha Johnson

Laurie Ann Gibson

Jay Alexander

Couple, Star Jones & Al Reynolds

Over the weekend savvy business woman Kimora Lee Simmons held her Baby Phat Fall 2008 fashion show. Once again, Black star power was in full effect to support her.

Kimora rocked a stylish urban 1920's look with her beau, actor Djimon Hounsou. Kimora's close friend Tyra Banks was on the scene. Singer Amerie was in the house, along with Vice President of PR firm DKC, Keesha Johnson. Model expert and catwalk extraordinaire, Jay Alexander and TV personality Star Jones with husband Al were at the show. Dance choreographer, Laurie Ann Gibson stepped out in a fun little red cocktail dress. Of course, (husband??) Russell Simmons was spotted on the set showing his babymama some love.

Wow, don't Kimora and Djimon look crazy in love in the photo?

Society Stars: Genevieve Jones, Joy Bryant and Andre Harrell @ AMFAR 2008 New York Gala

Genevieve Jones

Georgetta Robinson

Veronica Webb

Andre Harrell

Joy Bryant

(Photos:Patrick McMullan)

AMFAR held it's Annual New York Gala raising funds and awareness about AIDS and AIDS research. This year's honorees were Julian Schnabel, Carine Roitfeld and Kennedy descendant, Bobby Shriver.

Black philanthropists, socialites, and celebrities came out to support the significant cause and looked fabulous as ever.

Socialites, Genevieve Jones and Georgetta Robinson glowed in their sheer silk chiffon gowns. Music industry mogul, Andre Harrell looked dapper and model Veronical Webb ushered in Spring with a voluminous floral gown. Actress, Joy Bryant was a scene stealer with her ivory tiered chiffon gown designed by Ralph Lauren.

Flashes: Gabrielle, Hill and Taraji in Los Angeles

Taraji Henson

Gabrielle Union


Hill Harper
(Photos: Patrick McMullan)


Do-good actors Gabrielle Union and Hill Harper were looking savvy at the 10th Annual "I Have a Dream" Foundation-Los Angeles's Gospel Brunch. The brunch was held at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.

Actress, Taraji Henson was looking sexy and chic at Los Angeles Confidential Magazine/Niche Media Party. This look works really for Taraji.

Flashes: BET Honors in Washington DC

Honoree, Alicia Keys with boyfriend, Crucial Keith

Actor, Idris Alba

Songstress, Keyshia Cole

Actor, Hill Harper

Actress, Vivica Fox

Crooner, Raheem DeVaughn

BET CEO and President, Debra Lee

(Photos:BET)

Black celebrities took over Washington, DC this weekend to attend the BET Honors.

Looking like an African princess, Alicia Keys came with her boyfriend, producer Crucial Keith and picked up an award for her work with HIV/AIDS-infected young people in Africa.

Idris Alba looked yummy!!

The future Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole looked svelte and pretty in gray.

Hill Harper looked handsome with those big, brown eyes.

Actress, Vivica Fox looked gorgeous. I can't wait to see her on the next season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Vivica that finale was hilarious. My husband and I are still laughing.

Raheem DeVaughn looked dapper in black as he performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the awards.

BET CEO and President, Debra Lee was all smiles as she rocked her short cut. Ms. Lee when are you going to put on more honorable programming? I'm waiting.

Society Stars:LNS Ball and Art of Elysium Gala

Actress, Joy Bryant


Rockstar, Lenny Kravitz
(Photos: Patrick McMullan)



LSN board member, Pamela Joyner with designer, B. Michael


Couple, Pamela Joyner with husband and LSN board co-chair, Fred Giuffrida
(Photos:NYSD)

Power couple, Pamela Joyner and her husband Fred Giuffrida hosted a masked ball benefiting the Landmine Survivors Network (LSN) at their gorgeous home in San Francisco. Along with 300 guests, Pamela and Fred raised an impressive $200,000 for the globally recognized charity, which helps ensure that survivors of violent conflict have the medical care needed to regain and maintain their health by providing direct service, information and outreach counseling and support. Enabling survivors to reclaim their lives. I love Pamela's million dollar smile, it just lights up a room.

Actress Joy Bryant looked absolutely gorgeous in her red gown and Rocker, Lenny Kravitz was dressed to the nines as they attended the The Art of Elysium Black Tie Charity Gala "Heaven Celebrating 10 Years." The Art of Elysium is a nonprofit that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. They provide artistic workshops such as: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing.

For more information on how you can help visit www.landminesurvivors.org and http://www.theartofelysium.org

Celebrity Stylist, Kookie: a Sweet Solution for Hair

Kookie with Miss New York 2004 and wife of Scott Stapp, Jacqueline Stapp.

Kookie with her Honeyshine girls.

Kookie is her name and for the past decade hairstyling has been her game. Kookie, is undeniably South Florida’s most recognizable and respected name in hair design. If she's not at the Miami salon, Rapunzel, you might find her styling models backstage at a fashion show or saving a celebrity from a bad hair day.

Kookie’s clientele spans the world of the international jet set, glamorous Hollywood personalities, recording artists, beauty queens, as well as normal everyday people. Some of her happy clients are: Fergie, Eve, Scott Stapp, Lloyd and Miami nightlife impresario Michelle Pooch.

As a Miami native she was inspired by the multicultural society, which enhanced her style palate. A wizard with scissors and a connoisseur of hair extensions and blow-outs,Kookie transforms plain-janes into glamazons. She specializes in hair restoration and caters to clients suffering from hair loss. A true artisan of hair, Kookie makes even the most challenged client look beautiful and they feel like a million dollars when they get out of her chair.

Not only does Kookie do fabulous hair, she also volunteers for Miami charities such as Honey Shine, where she mentors at-risk teenage girls.

I must confess, I love hearing about fellow black women who've got their mind right and set the tone in their careers. So, if you're ever in Miami and need that weave fixed (ladies don't front) or have a hair 911 she is the chick to call.
.

Flashes: Gabrielle Union,Gelila Puck and Garcelle Beauvais @ Jimmy Choo

Gabrielle Union, Angie Harmon and Garcelle Beauvais

Gelila Puck with Jimmy Choo owner, Tamara Mellon

Photographs by ©PatrickMcMullan.com


Actresses Gabrielle Union and Garcelle Beuvais looked beautiful, as well as Gelila Puck, the gorgeous Ethiopian handbag designer and wife of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. They were on the Hollywood scene to support the flagship opening of luxury shoe brand, Jimmy Choo, on Rodeo Drive.

Flashes: Conde Nast's Movies Rock

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson and her fiance'

Actress Regina King

Mary J Blige

Beyonce Knowles

Usher


Actor Eddie Murphy and Rapper LL Cool J

(all photos: Mazur/WireImage)

The American stars were dresssed to the nines as they worked the red carpet last night at Conde Nast Media Group Presents: Movies Rock.