The 7th Annual "On Our Toes in The Hamptons" featuring the internationally acclaimed Evidence, A Dance Company under the direction of founder Ronald K. Brown and honoring Prince Kunle Omilana of Nigeria and his wife Princess Keisha Omilana for their support and dedication to The Company will take place at the home of Gala Co-Chairs The Honorable Bernard Jackson and Joyce Mullins Jackson, newly elected Chairman of the Board of the dance company, Water Mill, N.Y. on Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The mission of Evidence, A Dance Company is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora through dance and storytelling and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation. The Company is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Highlights have included a four-week tour to Africa sponsored by the U.S. State Department, performances at the Vancouver International Dance Festival and a smashing season at
Harlem Stage in New York.
The benefit committee of what has become " the premiere African American cultural event of the Hamptons' social season" includes
Reginald Van Lee, Chair; Zaid Abdul-Aleem, Monica F. Azare,
Veronica Claypool, Joanne E. Hill, Andrea Hoffman, Leslie Mays, Gail Monroe Perry,
Lauren Roberts, Jennifer Streakes, Dr. Ancy Verdier, Kathleen Vita and Lisa Walker. Young Professionals Committee includes BJ Coleman, Keenan Davis, Estelle, Mignon Espy, Dr. Erika Faust, James Nixon, Nkumera Pierre and Phillana Williams.
Silver Anniversary Committee includes
T. Troy and Keisha Dixon, Maurice and Andrea DuBois, Noel Hankin and Moet Hennessy USA,
Judith Jamison, Pamela J. Joyner and Alfred J. Giuffrida, Debra Lee and BET Networks, Terry McMillan
Rhonda Mims and ING, Ms. Baraka Sele, Marva Smalls and MTV Networks
René Syler,
Susan Taylor and Khephra Burns,
Tamara Tunie,
Cicely Tyson,
Reginald Van Lee and Booz
Allen Hamilton and
Lynn Whitfield
The late afternoon event will feature signature cocktails by Moet Hennessey USA, hors d'oeuvres by Kyle's, a luxury online auction on CharityBuzz.com, a special performance by Evidence of "Ebony Magazine: To a Village" and dancing with the dancers.
In addition to being one of the most elegant parties of summer, the highlight of the gala is always the electrifying performance of Evidence, A Dance Company and this year will be no exception as the piece they will perform has special relevance to the company's roots - "Ebony Magazine: to a Village". Set to an original score by Wunmi and choreographed by
Ronald K. Brown, "Ebony Magazine: to a Village" begins with a parade of individuals preoccupied with their own facade and beauty. The mantra in the score, "do you see what I see" is a challenge to question one's perceptions. The movement allows the dancers to shift from their self-consciousness to a physicality that is more connected to the ground and ultimately to each other. "Ebony Magazine: to a Village" was originally commissioned and performed by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in 1996 and became a part of the EVIDENCE repertory in March 1998. Costumes are by Omotayo Wunmi Olaiya and Lighting Designer is Brenda Gray.
This year saw The Company performing, teaching and serving as cultural ambassadors in Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. Evidence appeared at the Olympic Arts Festival in Vancouver and at prestigious venues in California and Washington D.C. As well,
Ronald K. Brown performed at the 2010 Fred &
Adele Astaire Awards in June and Brown's career was celebrated with an exhibit at the Peg Alston Fine Arts Gallery in NYC. The company's New York City season took place at
Harlem Stage and will next appear as part of the prestigious annual "Fall for Dance" series at New York's
City Center.
Honoree Prince Kunle Omilana of Nigeria and his American born wife
Princess Keisha Omilana (nee Bolden) head up the Wonderful Brand a multi-faceted business which includes Wonderful TV a network of television stations across Europe, fashion and internet holdings. His wife
Princess Keisha Omilana is a fashion designer and model who is known as the ‘Pantene Girl,' as she is the first African American woman to be featured in three consecutive commercials. Originally hailing from Inglewood, California, she earned her fashion degree in Chicago and soon began a successful career as a fashion model. Keisha has worked with major brands such as L'Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon and Cover Girl. Along with her success in the world of fashion, Keisha has appeared in Zoolander, 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live.
Tickets are $250 & $500: Sponsor packages are $25,000, $15,000, $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500. For tickets and sponsorships contact Alexandra Diaz, JFM Group at 914.235.1490 ex. 16 or alexd@thejfmgroup.com. For more information on Evidence, A Dance Company and the event visit www.evidencedance.com
Please visit our online Luxury Auction site at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/On_Our_Toes_in_the_Hamptons
More about the Honorees:
Prince Kunle Omilana - Founder & CEO Wonderful Media
Kunle Omilana is the managing partner and chief executive of WONDERFUL MEDIA; his blueprint for the company's growth combines the flexibility and entrepreneurial culture of an independent studio with the strategic global relationships of a major satellite network, drawing upon his over 10-year career in the international business and television industry.
Kunle Omilana has established himself as a pioneer in the Satellite Television Industry. This is evident in his establishment of the Inspiration TV Network, the first ever 24 hour Christian Television Network in Europe. He also holds the accolade of being the first black person to have his own television network in Europe. His expertise comes from bespoke training in Satellite Technology acquired during training as a helicopter pilot in the specialist Oxford Flying School, based in the famous university town of Oxford in the United Kingdom. This qualification, coupled with over a decade of pioneering various projects, has given Kunle Omilana a Midas touch anywhere he gets involved in satellite television. During his exemplary career Kunle has made key mutual and business associations with BSKYB, ARQIVA, EUTELSAT, SES, and the UNITED NATIONS.
Another project which he has single handily established is the Wonderful TV Network,
broadcasting to the whole of Europe. A key element of Kunle Omilana's managerial style is the uniqueness of packages he is always keen to offer. Over the past 10 to 12 years, Kunle Omilana has shown an ability to move from the status quo and create new dimensions in broadcasting. His string of successes is expressed in the international viewership Kunle Omilana commands over the continents of world.
As Kunle Omilana moves from one project into another he is developing a platform in Africa offering electronic program guide (EPG) to over 250 channels; Music, Sport, News, Fashion, Education, Business and Economy will be on offer through channels providing unique and innovative content. Potential clients have expressed their excitement by signing up for what will be the first of its kind in Satellite Television Platform services in Africa. Kunle is lining up state of the art technologies for play-out to the rest of the world; guaranteed satellite capacity (GSC), Multiplex and Uplink and Downlinks, EPG provision and Internet Streaming
Princess Keisha Omilana
From the runway to the big screen and everything in between, Keisha Omilana is a bona fide force to be reckoned with. She hails from Inglewood California and earned her fashion design degree in Chicago, Illinois. While in college, she filled in for a fashion model during a show. In the blink of an eye, Keisha went from designing clothes to the catwalk. She later discovered her true passion for fashion and set her sight on the Big Apple. Keisha is most recognized as "The Pantene Girl" becoming the first African American women to be featured in three consecutive commercials. Unique in her own right, she has solidified herself as a statuesque beauty from head to toe.
As an accomplished parts model, Keisha has worked with clients such as L'Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon and Cover Girl. Along with her success in the world of fashion, Keisha has appeared in Zoolander, 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live. She showcased her pioneering ability by spearheading the launch of Urban Sports, an urban twist to ESPN's The Hot Seat. Keisha is currently taking the business world by storm by teaming up with her husband and business partner. Together, they own Wonderful Brand. Wonderful is a multi-faceted business encompassing Fashion, Television and the Internet. You can also find Keisha conducting red carpet interviews at some of the most celebrated award shows and events.
Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
