Hip-hop star Jim Jones with JoJo Simmons, son of Rev Run and star of MTV hit show “Run’s House”- Image by Jerritt Clark
Hundreds of at-risk New York City youth affiliated with Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation-supported programs had the time of their lives last night at Rush Philanthropic’s Ninth Annual Youth Holiday Party sponsored by Target. It all happened at The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza. Dawn Richards of Danity Kane hosted the holiday party which included appearances by Russell Simmons, hip-hop artists Jim Jones and Teyana Taylor, JoJo Simmons (son of Reverend Run) of Run’s House on MTV, BET’s Alesha Renee, radio personality Egypt, America’s Next Top Model Jaslene Gonzalez, TV hit “Heroes” Jamie Hecter, platinum selling singer/producer Ryan Leslie, Que from the group Day 26 on MTV’s “Making The Band”, Darrelle Revis from the New York Jets and many more.
Platinum selling singer/songwriter Ryan Leslie falling into the adoring crowd- Image by Mark Blackshear
The night was a huge success with special performances by Rush youth groups The Brooklyn Steppers, Multicultural Music Group and Urban Word and the Annual Rush Kid Dance Off, judged by The Retro Kids. DJ Envy spun the tunes as the kids screamed with delight as celebrity guests greeted the kids while they received raffle prizes such as the X Box 360 gaming system, Hasbro ‘U Dance game signed by superstar Chris Brown, two MacBook computers, an Apple iPod, tickets to a Cavaliers v. Knicks game at Madison Square Garden and many more special gifts. The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to under-represented artists and artists of color.
Dawn Richards from Danity Kane hosted the event, pictured here on stage flashing a peace sign. – Image by Jerritt Clark
Russell Simmons; Yves Bellefleur, Executive Team Leader of Assets Protection, Target; Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Executive Director, Tangie Murray, Co-founder, Danny Simmons; Aki Moore, District Assets Protection Team Leader, Target. – Image by Mark Blackshear
