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 [email protected].
#####
