Hollywood heavyweight and social activist Danny Glover starred in another role when he came to Boerum Hill on April 19 — host of a fundraiser at the Deity Lounge.
Glover shared the bill with recording artist and music producer David Rudder during an evening of cocktails and conversation at the Atlantic Avenue nightclub to raise money for Something Positive Dance Company.
The East Flatbush group was established by the late Cheryl Byron to promote the art and culture of the African Diaspora through poetry, storytelling, theater, music and dance.
Glover impressed the crowd.
“He’s really cool, no affect at all,” said Artistic Director Michael Manswell, adding, “He told me that he has a deep respect for us as artists.”
Other industry attendees included Schomberg Center Chief Howard Dodson; celebrity make-up artist Sam Fine; and Aubrey Lynch, an Alvin Ailey dancer and associate producer of Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway.
Normally, Rudder, one of the top Calypso singers of all time, doesn’t perform without his band, but he serenaded the crowd with an impromptu performance of Byron’s piece “Vision.”
The conversation portion of the evening was as heady as the cocktail part, said Manswell, adding that both Glover and Rudder stressed the need for entrepreneurs to be “true to themselves.”