The evening's honorees: Princess Keisha Omilana and Prince Kunie Omilana of Nigeria.

Water Mill - The Seventh 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 took place on Saturday at the Water Mill home of Gala Co-Chairs The Honorable Bernard Jackson and Joyce Mullins-Jackson, newly elected Chairman of the Board of the dance company.

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. Fusing contemporary, jazz and ballet with the rhythms and sounds of the African Diaspora and Caribbean cultures, 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.

Co-Chair and the evening's hostess Joyce Mullins-Jackson with Board members Gail Monroe-Perry and Joanne Hill. The ladies posed with Judith Leiber purses that were part of the auction items offered at the evening's festivities.

The annual performance and fundraising gala returned to the Hamptons for its seventh year and featured a seven minute performance entitled "Ebony Magazine: To A Village." Speaking with founder Brown, he revealed "The piece consists of four men and four women. We are presenting the facade of beauty to bring everyone together. In 1996, a friend was murdered, and now with the recent pain one Board member experienced with the loss of her father, I felt it was time to address such sadness." Brown further relayed that from inception to completion the piece took two years to finalize.

Set to an original score by Wunmi and choreographed by 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 allowed the dancers to shift from their self-consciousness to a physicality that is more connected to the ground and ultimately to each other. The piece 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 were by Omotayo Wunmi Olaiya and Lighting Designer was by Brenda Gray.

Members of Evidence, A Dance Company in costume prior to their performance. (Joe Strand)

Event Chair Van Lee stated "Susan Taylor [Taylor is Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine] was the brainchild of Evidence, and with that urging we decided to bring black cultural and dance events to the Hamptons, as so many patrons who appreciate and support our efforts are out here and have long standing ties to the area. With the wonderful response we have received year after year it's been a pleasure to bring this event to the Hamptons again." Van Lee further commented "We are based in Brooklyn, but the company has performed both nationally and internationally."

Juanita Wimberley and her husband, well-known artist Frank Wimberley.

The Jacksons welcomed numerous guests to their lovely home and immediately created a warm, friendly and hospitable environment, from the delicious food and libations to the obvious enthusiasm all guests expressed for the hard work Brown, Van Lee, the Jacksons and all Board members have devoted to this wonderful dance company.

Among the Judith Leiber handbags carried by some female Board members, and the specially designed Hermes scraf that was for sale at the event, auction items included a trip offered by Elite Island Resorts, a trip to Wiltshire, England, a new suit from Sean Jean, spa treatments, artwork, jewelry, Broadway shows, tickets to Al Green, beauty items and a private class and three open rehearsals with Ronald K. Brown, and lunch with Susan Taylor, all available as online auction items on CharityBuzz.com.

The event featured signature cocktails by Moet Hennessey USA, hors d'oeuvres by Kyle's. The benefit committee includes 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.

Actress Lynn Whitfield and guest.

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, Baraka Sele, Marva Smalls and MTV Networks, René Syler, Susan Taylor and Khephra Burns, Tamara Tunie, Cicely Tyson, Van Lee and Booz Allen Hamilton and Lynn Whitfield.

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. Keisha 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, CA, 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."

Board member Jocelyn Taylor.

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, DC. As well, 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.

It was both refreshing and a pleasure to attend a 'Hamptons Happening' where everyone present was there to only show their obvious support and goodwill for such a worthy organization. The sometimes evident mindset of attending an event to spot who is among the guests, or who wore what was nowhere in evidence as this Evidence, a Dance Company transcended cultures with the sheer beauty of dance.

For more information on Evidence, A Dance Company and the event go to www.evidencedance.com.

Dance company members performed a seven minute show to the delight of attendees.