Ruby Dee to be Honored at Evidence, A Dance Company's Hamptons Summer Benefit

Evidence, A Dance Company will host its 9th Annual "On Our Toes"… In The Hamptons Summer Benefit -- one of the premier cultural events of the Hamptons social season -- on Saturday, August 18, 2012, from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton. The contemporary dance company's mission is to promote understanding of the African Diaspora through music, movement and spoken word.

The elegant afternoon benefit will celebrate generations of arts and culture from the African Diaspora. The summer event will honor the legendary Ruby Dee, Actress, Playwright, Activist and Philanthropist, with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Gatekeeper Award. Jason Moran, Award-winning Jazz Musician and Composer, will receive the 2012 Visionary Gatekeeper Award.

Evidence, A Dance Company will present a special performance of BETTER DAYS, choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown. The piece is a spectacularly spirited, yet melancholy, dance work that pays homage to friends of the choreographer who have passed away and illustrates a nonlinear juxtaposition of present and past. Brown is the world-renowned choreographer of Tony Award-winning THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS.

Distinguished guests from the arts and entertainment industry and the business community will gather on the sprawling grounds of the Hayground School to attend the annual benefit. The festive summer affair will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a light dinner, auction, a dynamic performance by Evidence, dessert and their signature "Dancing with the Dancers".

"Evidence's Hamptons Summer Benefit honoring award-winning actress Ruby Dee, who has contributed more than 50 years to the arts, and Jason Moran, a young critically-acclaimed and respected jazz musician, is in keeping with our mission to strengthen connections to history and tradition through the arts as well as the spirit of our Gatekeepers Community Project, which seeks to bridge the gap between generations." said Evidence's Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown.

This year's Event Chair is international financier Reginald Canal. Event Co-Chairs are artist, educator and activist Jon Snow, co-founder of the Hayground School, and financial advisor Lola C. West, Managing Director, WestFuller Advisors LLC. Young Patrons Chair is Jenna Bond-Louden. To date, Belvedere Vodka and Prudential are the Corporate Sponsors for "On Our Toes"… In the Hamptons.

The benefit committee includes: Tamara Tunie and Gregory Generet; Lynn Whitfield; Susan L. Taylor and Khephra Burns; Maurice and Andrea Dubois; Reginald Van Lee; Zaid Abdul-Aleem; Alvin Adell; Monica F. Azare; Bershan Shaw Bradley; Marvet Britto; Tracy Davis; Joanne E. Hill; Sunny Hostin; Leslie Mays; Gail Monroe-Perry; Joyce Mullins-Jackson; Larry Satterfield and Sabir Amen; Debra Simmons; Jocelyn Taylor; Margot Daniels Tyler; Dr. Ancy Verdier; and Nicole Winn.

For tickets to the Hamptons Summer Benefit, please visit www.evidencedance.com or call The JFM Group at 914-235-1490 x11 or email evidence@thejfmgroup.com . Individual tickets are $350 and $500. Sponsor packages begin at $5,000.