It
was “Some Enchanted Evening” as a crowd of 400+ was treated to a “upclose and
personal” performance by The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards at the
third annual GENERATIONS Concert benefit recently held at the Keith C. and
Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University in Boca
Raton. The evening raised more than $110,000 for music education through Nat
King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. (NKCGH).
Twin
daughters of music legend Nat King Cole, Timolin and Casey Cole of Boca
Raton, launched NKCGH to honor the legacy, music and life of their father
in 2008 after learning of budget cuts in public schools directly affecting the
arts. Since that time, donations in excess of $500,000 have benefited thousands
of children with “the greatest need and fewest resources” in Miami-Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Coles come from a family with a history of
musical excellence and charitable giving, with their father a trailblazer in
the music industry and mother Maria, also an entertainer, known for supporting
multiple causes throughout her life. By giving students the opportunity to
enhance their musical talents and abilities, their family’s legacy lives on.
The
benefit -- NKCGH’s largest annual fundraiser – was emceed by Toni May, host of
WXEL’s Growing Up Strong began with students from the NKCGH “Summer
Strings” music mentoring program at Lynn University and twin vocalists Tashad
and Rashad Gardenhire performing during the pre-concert reception. The concert
opened with with performances by talented local youth performers, including
violinists Sons of Mystro and Michaela Paige, known for her Season 3
performance on NBC’s The Voice. Guests were then on “Cloud Nine” as The
Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards took the stage by storm. Dressed in
gold, dancing their signature moves and performing songs that brought back
memories for all, they had attendees dancing in the aisles. A highlight of the
event was when Dennis Edwards, an eight-time GRAMMY winner during his time
performing with the original Temptations, called up NKCGH founders Casey and
Timolin Cole out onstage and remarked how their father had “started it all” and
then included them in the final song of the night: “My Girl”.
GENERATIONS Concert
sponsors include Platinum Sponsor Patriot National Insurance Group/Mariano
Foundation; Bronze Sponsor Thomas Produce Company; Patron Sponsors CBM of
America, Excel Services Corporation, Florida Power & Light, Frankino Family
Foundation, Lee and Peg Greenspon, Nancy Over-Conley, West Boca Medical Center;
Underwriter Florida Public Utilities; and Partners Boca Raton Marriott Boca
Center, Dawn of Designs, Kaye Communications, Inc., Lynn University; and Media
sponsors The Boca Raton Tribune, Life Publications and LivingFLA.com.
Nat
King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. funds music education programs that provide
instruction, mentoring and resources. Its vision is that Nat King Cole’s
unforgettable legacy will ensure future generations are given the opportunity
to learn and experience the joy of music.
For
information on NKCGH, visit natkingcolegenhope.org, call 561-213-8209 or email info@natkingcolegenhope.org.
#####
