IPCNY’s Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert ‘07 on June 22 was a classy, progressive, soulful, uplifting and well-orchestrated event. Hosting the concert at such an elegant venue as Flushing Town Hall not only provided the perfect ambiance for the 35 or so that attended but also gave testament to the type of quality functions we are accustomed to from IPCNY. Throughout the hallways of the Town Hall were pictures of its illustrious history - what the establishment was used for and the people that graced its halls and grand rooms. In some ways, Flushing Town Hall fit well within the fabric of IPCNY’s honoring and cultivation of the African Diaspora, by similarly honoring its rich history and preserving it for the enjoyment and education of current and future generations. Although this venue broke the norm of events held in Manhattan, it was well worth the commute on a beautiful Friday evening.
The performances were equally awe inspiring, from the emceeing of Vincent Thomas ’73, the sultry and deep rooted sounds of Rhonda Ross ‘93 and the accompaniment of acclaimed jazz artist, Rodney Kendrick, to the high energy and rhythmic beats of Kevin Webb ‘92 and Russell Delacour ‘94 of LEANiNG 6. Aside from the plethora of high-level musical performances and several of the performers being fellow alumni of Brown University, what struck an even higher cord of significance was the fact that the proceeds subsidized minority youth exposure to Brown.
Perhaps the only thing missing in this grand hall with these grand performances was a higher level of attendance. So let’s get the word out that IPCNY is where it’s happenin’! Its membership has set the bar high and continues to hit the mark. I, for one, was so inspired that I will make every effort to attend future IPCNY events, no matter where they are held (and I live in Philadelphia). After all, for my money, what better way to spend an evening than to support a worthy cause while enjoying an extravaganza of artistic expression.
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