![\"Tourney](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Eveoke.jpg\" "\\"Eveoke\\"")
<\/a>Located on University Avenue in North Park, Eveoke is a non-profit organization designed to bring the community together through evocative dance. The theatre\u2019s upcoming poker tournament is Eveoke\u2019s latest effort to create community involvement while simultaneously raising the money it needs to stay afloat. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll non-profits are in the position to use innovative ways to raise funds right now,\u201d Executive Director Nikki Dunnan said. \u201cBut we also want to give our community a way to celebrate and have fun with us.\u201d <\/p>\n
Eveoke\u2019s main goal is to \u201ccultivate compassionate social action,\u201d according to its mission statement. The people behind the curtains make this possible by raising awareness of the importance of art in the community, educating the art-hungry and providing easy access to everyone regardless of social status or income. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe intend to use dance as a form of expression as social import,\u201d Dunnan said. \u201c[In our performances] we send [the audience] a message about the world around them and them in it. We want to inspire people to make change either within themselves or within the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The talent at Eveoke Dance Theatre isn\u2019t limited only to its North Park studio. In addition to the 40 classes taught each week at this location, the instructors of Eveoke\u2019s educational outreach program provide more the 20 classes per week in schools and community centers throughout the region. <\/p>\n
These classes are made available to the entire community regardless of dance experience or ability to pay. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no reason that people can\u2019t have an art experience with Eveoke, and that\u2019s what makes us so important,\u201d Dunnan said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnte Up for Eveoke\u201d will help fund those efforts. Starting at 5:00 p.m. on July 10, the tournament requires a $60 buy-in to play or $10 for spectators. <\/p>\n
With enough seating for 60 players, Eveoke\u2019s goal is to raise $4,000 dollars at the event. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re starting off on a small scale with five to six tables,\u201d Marketing Director Alynn Silliman said. \u201cWe hope to grow in the future and make it an annual event.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never all about the money at Eveoke Dance Theatre. It\u2019s about letting the community know they exist and that art is something from which everyone can benefit. <\/p>\n
\u201cIdeally we want to bring in a new crowd of people,\u201d Silliman said. \u201cWe want to expand in all areas of the organization, whether it\u2019s new donors, new patrons or new faces in the audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitting behind the red velvet rope, spectators who are too scared to bluff can enter a raffle to win a new iPod, Flip video camera or various gift certificates donated by community businesses. <\/p>\n