Evidence Dance Company Brings The Art Of Dance To The Hamptons

Originally Posted: August 20, 2012

Dance: a form of art that the Hamptons do not see enough of. We have painters, sculptors, writers, singers, but rarely do we have the sole pleasure of enjoying the art of dance. This Saturday evening, Evidence Dance Company performed at their annual "On Our Toes" Gala in Bridgehampton. So if you were lucky enough to attend the event, you were lucky enough to be moved by the spectacular dances, and talented dancers. Evidence Dance Group is not your ordinary dance ensemble; it is the only all-African American dance group. They aim to "promote the understanding of the African Diaspora through music, movement and spoken word."

The evening began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as the congregation of distinguished guests mingled. There were two performances by the dance group, "Walk Out the Dark" and "Better Days," both choreographed by founder, Ron Brown. It was very real, and unique to hear the creator's vision and reason for developing the dances the way he did. Brown explained that "Walk Out the Dark" was about the God within us all, and initially it had been a poem inside his head, and then he realized it was destined to be a dance. The second performance, "Better Days" was for the African American men. Brown explained that this was a dance to bring hope and understanding about the lives of black men.

Between performances, Evidence held a live auction and an award presentation. This year Evidence's Hamptons Summer Benefit honored Ruby Dee for her fifty years of dedication by awarding her the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as awarding Jason Moran with the 2012 Visionary Gatekeeper Award.

There is so much life within in each dance, and as their dancing you can hear their movements speaking the words Brown has intended us all to hear. Each beat, each step, each motion has a purpose.

If you missed this wonderful evening of appreciating their form of art, check them out online at www.evidencedance.com, and hopefully you can catch them on tour!