Guild Hall welcomed guests for On Our Toes in the Hamptons: Building Our Heaven, an interdisciplinary performance co-presented by National Black Theatre and the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.
Held on Sunday, August 2, the afternoon program explored the spiritual and artistic evolution of Black classical music through a powerful blend of live performance, spoken word, and dance. The event centered Black music as a space of resilience, transcendence, and cultural expression.
The performance featured acclaimed pianist and composer Damien Sneed, musicians from The Orchestra for Tomorrow, soprano Angela Renée Simpson, bass Solomon Howard, poet Mahogany L. Browne, and Evidence Dance Company. Together, the artists traversed classical repertoire, African American sacred traditions, jazz influences, and poetry, creating an immersive experience that honored the enduring legacy and continued evolution of Black artistry across generations.
Attendees included Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, Interim Executive Director of the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, and Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director of National Black Theatre, as well as Reggie Van Lee, Tamron Hall, and Star Jones.
