On their toes
Annual Tidwell Project benefit features supporters, dancers at festive holiday gathering
Celebrate the Moments of the Season, the annual fundraiser for the Tidwell Project, took yet another turn for 2018. Rather than being a splashy, Little Rock Marriott ballroom gala that featured a national recording artist until its 2017 incarnation, the affair was smaller and more intimate altogether for 2018: a Dec. 17 soiree at RH Farm, Linda and Rush Harding’s rustic-yet-palatial retreat near Ferndale. The idea? Let more proceeds fund the organization, not overhead and expenses.
Libations and sumptuous bites awaited guests, who played catch-up with one another, bid on silent-auction items and explored the facility — the great room with its high ceiling dominated by an opulent Christmas tree.
With fellow board member Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman at her side, Connie Curry gave welcoming remarks and introduced the event co-chairmen: Tiffany Mays O’Guinn, who also thanked attendees and sponsors for their support, and Whitney Owens, who introduced the organization’s founder, C. Michael Tidwell. Tidwell spoke of the changed event format before introducing his young dancers, who performed to “Luther Suite” — a medley of slow and midtempo ballads by the late recording artist Luther Vandross.
After further remarks from Tidwell and others, the issuance of a few tokens of appreciation to longtime sponsors and presentation of board members, the guests practiced their own dance moves to some recorded favorites. The music of trumpeter Rodney Block also enhanced the evening.
The Tidwell Project aims to expose young people to dance through its Centre for the Dansarts, and improve the lives of at-risk children by helping them identify and achieve their goals through mentoring and other activities.