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PKQ.~IIXThis Arts Group Proves The Performing Hook Isn't BadBY LIZ KOCHThe Red Hook Arts Council is not a runof-the-mill arts council, because Red Hookis no run-of-the-mill neighborhood.Therefore when the organization held itsfirst fundraiser on Oct. 22, it marked an important step for the six-year-old group.\cultural institution or bookstore in RedHook,%u201d Veronique Le Melle, executive director of the Red Hook Arts points out. %u201cWithso little for the kids there to do, it serves asa youth program and social services as wellas an arts organization.%u201dLe Melle gave this explanation the nightRed Hook Arts held its first annual benefitevent at Bargemusic in Fulton Ferry. Theorganization was founded in 1980 by dancerand choreographer Naaz Hosseini and nowoffers a range of dance, drama, music andart classes for young people of the area between ages seven and 19. The benefit was anopportunity for Red Hook Arts to honor people who had made outstanding contributionsto the organization since its inception.Standing to one side of the barge, asguests mingled and sampled horsd%u2019oeuvres, Le Melle added, %u201cthe youth usethe council to build self-esteem and learnself-discipline. It gives them a reason toread, because if they enjoy drama and theyenjoy being on the stage then they becomemore interested in being able to read. Thetruancy rate in Red Hook is one of thehighest in the City and if you get them interested they become more interested inschool.%u201dHONORED ITS FOUNDERRed Hook Arts honored its founder NaazHosseini that night as well as the lateCharles Moore, founder of the CharlesMoore Dance Company and Philip DeVito,a former board member and one timemanager of the Red Hook branch ofChemical Bank. Ira Levine, chairman ofRed Hook Arts, introduced the staff andteaching consultants of Red Hook Arts, andLe Melle gave a brief overview of theorganization.%u201cThe kids of Red Hook have nothingelse,%u201d she said. %u201cThere is no movie theaterand it is a very tight knit community.%u201d Thispast summer, Red Hook Arts launched aVeronique Le M elle (center),executive director of theRed Hook Arts C ouncil,poses behind a pictorialessay of the participants inthe youth organization, andis flanked by Philip De Vito,the recipient of a specialaward from the organizationand Ella M oore, w ho accepted an award on behalfof her late husband, C harlesM oore.T h e q u a l i t y o f t h ep e r f o r m a n c e s a n dt h e w o r k s h o p s t h e yh a v e p r o v i d e d f o rt h e y o u t h o f R e dH o o k h a v e b e e n a ni n s p i r a t i o n f o rs t u d e n t s a n ds t a f f a l i k echildren%u2019s touring theater with 15 kids whohad worked in the organization for at leasta year. Their performances reflected theorganization%u2019s dual role, as the children puton peer education performances that addressed issues of child abuse, truancy, drugabuse and the development of positive rolemodels.The first award presented that night wasto Charles Moore. %u201cAlmost since its inception, Red Hook Arts has enjoyed thegenerous support of the Charles MooreDance Company,%u201d Le Melle said to the 150guests in attendance. %u201cThe quality of theperformances and the workshops they haveprovided for the youth in Red Hook havebeen an inspiration for students and staffalike,%u201d she added. The dance company, additionally, has provided five scholarshipseach year for Red Hook youth. Moore%u2019swidow, Ella Moore, accepted the award.Founder Naaz Hosseini was also honoredthat night. %u201cIt was Naaz Hosseini%u2019s desire toshare with Red Hook children the experiences that, through the arts, she enjoyed as a child,%u201d Le Melle said. %u201cWithouther varied artistic skills and tenaciousness,Red Hook Arts would not be in existence today. She continues to help Red Hook Artsgrow through her contacts within the artsworld,%u201d she said. Hosseini, who is currentlyperforming with Meredith Monk, wasunable to attend that night.VERY NEEDED GROUPThe last award was bestowed uponformer board member Philip DeVito.%u201cWhile Philip DeVito was the manager ofChemical Bank%u2019s Red Hook branch, he sawand responded to the need for constructiveactivities for the area youth. Phil remainsopen and responsive to the needs of the people of Red Hook,%u201d Le Melle said, presentingthe award.After accepting the award on her husband%u2019s behalf, Ella Moore stressed the importance of the Red Hook Arts Council. %u201cItis a very needed organization. They reallycare about the area and the kids,%u201d she said.Moore said in the future she would like toget yet more involved in the organization.%u201cThey%u2019re the only game in town in RedHook,%u201d she said firmly.THE NEW THEATRE OF BROOKLYNArtistic Director Deborah PopepresentsSPACE WALKby A Ian Mokler %u2022 Music by Brad Gorton %u2022Directed by Peter Wallace %u2022October 23-November 16Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pmMatinees: Thursdays at II amSundays at 3 pm465 Dean Streetat Flatbush Avenue$8 ($10 on Sat.) or T D F +Reservations: Call (718) 230-3366Call Tom: 857-6145FOOD& FLOWERS& everything you need for a swell party . . .Newly Decorated Upstairs Dining Room Now OpenFor Your Special Party NeedsU nlim ited Liquor H ot Buffet o r Sit D ow n D innerMinimum 35 people. $23.95 per person + tax <%u00a3 gratFOR IN FO R M A TIO N CALL 788-3245 140 7th Ave. B rooklyn NY 11215New American and P.eqionai Cuisine71 Seventh Ave., BrooklynParly Caj{ M annNow Sunday Dinner 4-9:30Different Menu each SundayFor Reservations 718-230-8450PhoenixRisingpresentsA FALLANTIQUE and COLLECTIBLE___ SALESaturday, N ovem ber 1 Sunday, N ovem ber 2 9:30 a .m .- 6 p.m .%u2022 Furniture %u2022 China%u2022 Colored Glass %u2022 Pictures%u2022 Books %u2022 Photos(incl. first editions) %u2022 Mirrors%u2022 Lamps %u2022 Crystal%u2022 Unusual Items %u2022L'ART CAFE33 Lafayette Ave %u2022 Bklyn(opposite the Brooklyn Academy o f Music)Page 22, TH E P H O E N IX , O c to b er 30, 1986