Bridgehampton - Ronald K. Brown's internationally acclaimed Evidence: A Dance Company returns once again to the East End for the company's 8th Annual On Our Toes in the Hamptons Summer Benefit, the premiere African-American cultural event of the Hamptons social season will be held on August 20, 2011 at the Hayground School, 151 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton.

As always, the elegant tented late afternoon gala will feature signature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres by Harlem's acclaimed 5 and Diamond Restaurant, a special performance of "Ife/My Heart" by Evidence: A Dance Company, luxury auction and dancing with the dancers. "Ife/My Heart," a signature piece for the company, was built as the journey of three families to one destination: a place where the heart was open. "Ife/My Heart" was originally commissioned and performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2005.

Event Chair is Dr. Ancy Verdier. Founder and Board President Ronald K. Brown along with Zaid Abdul-Aleem, Board President, Joanne E. Hill, Board Vice President. Gail Monroe-Perry, Board Secretary; Reginald Van Lee, Chairman Emeritus, Board Members Dwayne Ashley, Monica F. Azare; Reginald Canal, Andrea Hoffman. Leslie Mays, Larry Satterfield, Jocelyn Taylor and Dr. Verdier host the fete. Jenna Bond-Louden chairs the Young Professionals Committee which includes Solonje Burnett-Loucas, Brie Bythewood, Christopher Harvell and Dr. Lezli, Levene Harvell, Kelly Mitchell, Obi Onyeagoro and Erin L. Patten. Among the glamorous guests will be acclaimed opera star Jessye Norman.

Gala Honoree Lola West. (Courtesy Photo: Alchimia)

The gala will honor two dynamic individuals who have effected great change in their respective professions: artist, educator and activist Jon Snow, co-founder of the Hayground School and renowned financial advisor Lola C. West, Managing Director, WestFuller Advisors LLC

West is a founding partner of WestFuller Advisors, LLC, a wealth management firm. This stellar group was formed in 2010 and specializes in the wealth management strategic insight and investment advice to high net worth clients: executives, multigenerational families, entrepreneurs, business owners, and non-profit institutions in both the U.S. and abroad. Prior to WestFuller Advisors, West was a wealth advisor for Merrill Lynch Global Private Client Group.

Trained as a planner/administrator, West is a thought leader and savvy business woman holding an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and a Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women and is the recipient of the Proclamation: "Lola C. West Day" in the City of New York for "exemplary prowess as a health care administrator. West is a skilled wealth educator and mentor to both her clients and the broader New York metropolitan community.

She has spearheaded a number of financial, educational and wealth management events for women, high net worth individuals and Merrill Lynch's philanthropic programs including an unprecedented response for MTV's Staying Alive Foundation.

Artist, educator and activist Snow is a co-founder of the renowned Hayground School in Bridgehampton. Hayground School was founded on the conviction that all children can and should live a life of the mind. All children can be serious and passionate readers; all children can engage in serious discourse; all children can work and study in a community where art is at the center, not the periphery, of life. All children can develop the habit of compassion. The mission at Hayground is to provide an open, community school where conventional teaching methods are replaced by new ways of teaching and learning. They are committed to a program of innovation in a community of diversity, both economic and cultural

Under the artistic leadership of founder and choreographer Brown, Evidence, A Dance Company, was established in 1985. The company's mission 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. In addition to touring across the United States 25-30 weeks a year, the company supports community outreach activities and educational programs for dance enthusiasts of all ages throughout New York City

Event sponsors are Belvedere Vodka, Booz Allen Hamilton and Prudential. Harlem's 5 and Diamond Restaurant, under the direction of executive chef David Martinez, will cater the event.

Sponsor packages are $25,000, $15,000, $10,000, $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500. Early bird tickets are $250 if purchased by July 15; $350 after. For tickets and sponsorships contact Alexandra Diaz, JFM Group at 914-235-1490, ext. 16 or alexd@thejfmgroup.com. For more information on Evidence: A Dance Company and the event visit their website.