Water Mill - On Our Toes in the Hamptons, the annual performance and fundraising gala featuring Evidence, A Dance Company, one of the world's premiere professional dance companies, returns for the sixth year. Founded by Ronald K. Brown, Evidence, A Dance Company is rooted in African dance fusing Contemporary, Jazz and Ballet with the rhythms and sounds of the African Diaspora and Caribbean cultures. The late afternoon gala will take place at the Water Mill residence of The Honorable Bernard Jackson and Joyce Mullins-Jackson on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Former CBS "The Early Show" co-anchor and best-selling author Rene Syler will be the event's emcee. Media Sponsor is Hamptons.com.

In just six years, On Our Toes in The Hamptons, the dream of Susan L. Taylor (author and Editorial Director Emerita Essence Magazine) and Reginald Van Lee (Senior VP at Booz Allen Hamilton) in bringing Black culture to the Hamptons, has evolved to become the only continuous, major African-American cultural event of the Hamptons summer season. The mission of Evidence is to promote understanding of the African Diaspora through dance and storytelling

Alicia Bythewood of Sag Harbor and New York is Chairman of what has become the premiere African-American cultural event of the season. Her committee includes fashion designer b Michael, Harriet Michel, Brian and Mira Mullins, Donna Williams, Reginald Van Lee, Neil R. Lowe, Joyce Mullins-Jackson, Reggie Canal, Leslie Mays, Zaid Abdul-Aleem, Dwayne Ashley, Monica F. Azare, Joanne E. Hill, Andrea Hoffman, Sandra D. Jackson-Dumont, James Sullivan, Jocelyn Taylor, Ancy Verdier and Lisa B. Walker.

Now celebrating its 24th year, Evidence, A Dance Company under the direction of founder, choreographer and dancer Ronald K. Brown has garnered critical acclaim internationally and extraordinary praise for its creator. Unusually sensitive to the human condition, Brown creates dances that attest to life's struggles but continues to connect the individual to community with promises of redemption.

The company will celebrate its 25th season in 2010. Highlights include a four-week tour to Africa sponsored by the U.S. State Department and performances at the Vancouver International Dance Festival.

The late afternoon event will take place on the spacious poolside decks and under a tent designed by noted interior designers Anthony Bell of Interiors by Anthony Bell and Deanna Annis of the Furniture Garden, and will feature cocktails courtesy of Moet Hennessey; hors d'oeuvres and several Paella stations from The Seafood Shop of Wainscott; silent and live auctions of luxury items and one-of-a-kind packages auction, performances by the company and dancing with the dancers. Select auction items will be available for advance bidding on www.CharityBuzz.com. The event is coordinated by The JFM Group. Among the fabulous items that will be up for bid are: a Quadruple Celebrity Makeover with make-up, hairstylist, celebrity photographer session and a designer from H & M; sparkling watches from Christian Dior; a unique internship at the Basketball Academy; a private dance session and lunch with acclaimed choreographer/dancer Ronald K, Brown; an oil painting by celebrated artist Alvin Clayton and glittering jewels from Judith Ripka, Emily & Ashley, Zale's and Jewels of the Ocean.

Generous sponsors of the event include HSBC Premier, Prudential, Continental Airlines and 10 Cane Rum/Moet Hennessey. Christian Dior will provide gift bags. Media Sponsor is Hamptons.com. The event is coordinated by The JFM Group.

Tickets are $250 and $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, ext. 16 or alexd@thejfmgroup.com. For more information on Evidence, A Dance Company and the event visit www.evidencedance.com.

The Performance Program For On Our Toes In The Hamptons Will Include

For You (2003)
Choreography by Ronald K. Brown; Music by Donny Hathaway "A Song For You;" Music performed by Gordon Chambers; Costumes by Omotayo Wunmi Olaiya. Performed by Ronald K. Brown. "For You" was originally choreographed in memory of Stephanie Reinhart, co-director of the American Dance Festival. A tribute to all of those we have loved and lost too early in their journeys.

Walking Out The Dark (Excerpt, 2002)
Choreography Ronald K. Brown; Music performed by Farai Malianga; Costumes by Carolyn Meckha Cherry. Performed by Tiffany Quinn, Clarice Young, Arcell Cabuag, Otis Donovan Herring. "Walking Out the Dark" was co-commissioned by the American Dance Festival with support form the Doris Duke Awards for New Work and Philip Morris Companies, Inc., the Bessie Schonberg/First Light Commissioning program of New York's Dance Theatre Workshop with funds from the Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation and the Greenwall Foundation with additional funds provided by Chase Manhattan Bank; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Aaron Davis Hall Fund for New Work, and The University of Texas at Austin Topfer Endowment for the Performing Arts. "Walking Out the Dark" was made possible by the Doris Duke Fund for Dance of the National Dance Project, a program administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Philip Morris Companies, Inc.