Local 'stars' and dance pros team up for charity

prev
next

– PHOTOS BY JEANNE VOLLMER

By Cynthia Price

It is easy to forget, since the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce (WDCC) Dancing with the Local Stars is such a lot of fun, that its primary function is to raise money for local food pantries.

However, it is unlikely that the pantries ever forget such a thing, since they benefit so broadly. Not counting this year’s earnings, the WDCC has given the emergency food providers over $1,058,000.

This year is unlikely to be any different, as witness the dancer drowning in money at right. With four packed performances Feb. 27-29 at the downtown hotel now owned by JW Marriott, and such wide support in the community, the WDCC has pulled off another beneficial year.

And that is at least in part because the show can be counted on to entertain.

In addition to dozens of local performers, which include one “dance pro” per team, this year also featured The Lords of Shores vocal sextet, The Lost Boyz of Area Fifty Fun – several of whom are locals – and a comedian, Richarlo Winston, who calls himself a “blerd” or black nerd.

Each separate performance results in three awards: a Critic’s Choice, awarded by the four guest judges; a People’s Choice, which reflects the amount of money raised; and a Best of Show based on audience reaction.

The event is always volunteer-intensive, and many businesses contribute to its success as well. The impressive strolling buffet includes many donations, and there are hairdressers and make-up artists who give of their time and expertise as well. Anchor Insurance Group and Webb Chemical Company compose the “Heroes” category of corporate donors, but there are many others.

The Dancing with the Local Stars organizing committee alone, exclusive of chairs Karen Mogdics, Mary Kendall and Marilyn Forton, has 56 members.

The 2020 theme was “Movie Night,” and the clever dancers came up with such titles as Sweet but Psycho, Trolls, Marvel Heroes, and The Dancing Queens.

Dance pros include people who have been involved since the beginning, or near the beginning, such as Patrick Johnson, Lisa Jirokovic, Francine Calandra, Mary Switzer, 
Brenda Sprader (now a judge), and Carly Switzer (eight years) – to less experienced, such as Sandy Nolan, Chris Kuhn, and Andrea VanBeek, to first-timers Scott Mehlberg and Matt Bradfield.

––––––––––––––––––––

Subscribe to the Legal News!

http://legalnews.com/subscriptions

Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more

Day Pass Only $4.95!

One-County $80/year

Three-County & Full Pass also available

 

––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available