Tidwell Project celebrates Moments and raises funds
Some things change … and some things stay the same.
As is local custom, Celebrate the Moments of the Season — the annual, third-Sunday-in-December Tidwell Project fundraiser that brings attendees out in their holiday-best attire — took place Dec. 17 in the grand ballroom of the Little Rock Marriott. But there were a couple of changes in format this year. Instead of a national recording artist, the featured entertainment was an ear-pleasing handful of closer-to-home performers. And awaiting guests was a two-course meal, rather than a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres.
But the event, whose presenting sponsor was Dr. Garry Glasco, continued under the leadership of co-chairmen Susan and Dr. Alonzo Williams and Drs. Frances Harris and Joe Hargrove. And former National Basketball Association players Derek Fisher and Corliss Williamson continued as honorary co-chairmen in absentia. Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman and Keith Glason of KIPR-FM, 92.3, were masters of ceremonies. Guests enjoyed cocktails, bid on silent-auction items and mingled before dinner. They later danced to a musical lineup that kicked off with Nicky Parrish and Kemistry, then displayed the varied talents of DJ Deja Blu, JPhil, Pat Register of Memphis, Haywood King, Butterfly and Bijoux. A highlight came with a late, on-the-spot dance lesson for attendees, via artistic director C. Michael Tidwell himself.
Keeping up a tradition of tributes to deceased artists, the Tidwell Project dancers performed to a medley of songs by the late R&B singer Aaliyah. Testimonies given by several of the dancers, including scholarship recipient Kelvin Jackson, were an encouragement for on-the-spot donations to the organization.
Young people age 14-21 in economically disadvantaged communities are exposed to the performing arts thanks to the 27-year-old, nonprofit Tidwell Project, which also provides scholarships.