On Monday, March 25, Evidence Young Patrons will host “Evidence After Dark” in conjunction with Evidence, A Dance Company 9th Annual Torch Ball at New York City’s The Plaza Hotel. The event will celebrate the life and legacy of Beth Young, a phenomenal dance enthusiast and supporter of Evidence, A Dance Company, and to support the dance company’s mission to promote understanding of the African Diaspora through dance, music and storytelling. Goldman, Sachs & Co.’s Valentino D. Carlotti will receive the 2013 Corporate Philanthropy Award for their support of the arts, the community and work of Evidence, A Dance Company.
This unique opportunity for Young Patrons allows guests to network with some of NYC’s finest in a cocktail reception followed bythe second half of Evidence’s performance of Torch which then goes into dessert and the event’s signature “Dancing with the Dancers.”
Actor and director Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee will serve as the gala’s Honorary Chairs. Actress Lynn Whitfield will lead the awards gala as the Evening Host. Reginald Van Lee, Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton and Chairman Emeritus of the board of Evidence, A Dance Company is this year’s Gala Chair.
The Torch Ball will present Evidence’s performance of its latest work, Torch, in honor of the legacy of Beth Young. Choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown, this fervent dance tribute was created as a celebration of her perseverance and self-determination. Young studied with the dance company for over 15 years before losing her battle with cancer on January 6, 2012.
The dance company, which blends African, modern, ballet and social dance styles to tell stories about the human experience, will perform the work to the music of various artists including DJ Zinhle.
“Evidence is deeply humbled to present ‘Torch’ at our annual benefit gala,” said Brown. “This new work seeks to understand legacy and the idea of passing the torch. We are dancing to celebrate Beth’s legacy. We dance for her, with her, and are the torch that pays homage to everything that she is and was.”
Evidence board members include: Ronald K. Brown, President; Zaid Abdul-Aleem, Chairman; Larry Satterfield, Treasurer; Gail Monroe-Perry, Secretary; Reginald Van Lee, Chairman Emeritus; Alvin Adell; Dwayne Ashley; Monica F. Azare; Reginald Canal; Spike Lee; Leslie Mays; James Sullivan; Jocelyn Taylor and Dr. Ancy Verdier.
The “Evidence After Dark” co-chairs are James Nixon and Curtis D. Young; and the young patrons host committee members are Ashley Alston and J. Stratford Dennis, Stuart Archibald, Keenan Davis, Veronica S. Dawkins, Jason W. Draper, Kirk Hudson, Devon Scott, Sekou Kaalund, James Powell, Javier R. Seymore and Phaon K. Spurlock.
See last year’s gala photos here and highlights here.
Tickets for “Evidence After Dark” are $125. Click here to purchase.
-Phaon K. Spurlock
Follow me on Twitter – @Phaon
Follow the Magazine on Twitter – @LuxePROTOTYPE
Follow the Magazine on Tumblr
Author
