Stars shine to support young dancers

Admit it. You, too, have taken great delight watching Dancing With the Stars on television.

Calgary Dance Foundation president Dawn Litzenberger felt that we could have our own Dancing With the Stars, but with a philanthropic focus. Proceeds would support young Calgary dancers vying for a place on the podium at the annual Canadian Ballroom Dance Finals.

It was six years ago that Litzenberger gathered local celebs and partnered them with dance pros to launch the inaugural Dancing with the Calgary Stars. Yours truly had the distinct pleasure of participating the first year. And let me tell you, it’s not nearly as easy as it looks on television!

Yes, ‘Tango Terror’ Brooks took to the stage to compete. Let’s just say that I’ll not soon be hanging up my camera for a career as a dancer.

Celebs competing over the years have included: Kathy Hays; Fred Balm; Rick Titan; Michelle Cameron Coulter; Pat Moore; Debra Ross; Michael Bailey; Maureen Mannix Eberts; Chima Nkemdirim; and Coun. Sen Chu, to name but a few.

This year, the sixth annual event, held recently at the Polish Canadian Club, partnered with the Calgary Multicultural Orchestra. Proceeds raised will not only support young Calgary dancers vying for a place on the podium at the 2018 Canadian Ballroom Dance Finals, but will also provide the members of the Multicultural Orchestra (ages 6-17), who would not otherwise be able to be part of an orchestra, the opportunity to expand their love of music, as well.

Strutting their stuff on the dance floor this night included: Roxanne ‘Sexy Samba’ McCaig; MLA Graham ‘Romantic Rumba’ Sucha; Elizabeth ‘Tantalizing Tango’ Burke-Gaffney; and Robbie ‘The Bull Fighter’ Schuett.

Among those cheering on their faves were: Calgary Dance Foundation dance director Martin Lefebvre; foundation vice-president Kathy Hays; International Avenue Arts & Culture Centre board chair Scott Beaton and his wife Lorna Beaton; orchestra maestro Jose Duque; wine sponsor Strike Group’s Mark Bonnell; Foundation Fighting Blindness’ Dagmar Jamieson; Branch Out Neurological Foundation’s Crystal Phillips; Jerome’s Elaine Stadel; Ann and Jane McCaig; Betty Stein; and professional dance partners Iveta Milciute, Ryan Anderson, Stephanie Jurkova, Donna Hammerschmidt and Bryan Senn.

PHOTOS, BILL BROOKS Pictured at the 6th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars Gala are Calgary Dance Foundation president Dawn Litzenberger, Calgary Dance Foundation dance director Martin Lefebvre and foundation vice-president Kathy Hays, a Calgary Stars competitor from...

Ann McCaig, Roxanne ‘Sexy Samba’ McCaig and Jane McCaig were all ready to hit the dance floor.

MLA Graham ‘Romantic Rumba’ Sucha dips his dance partner, Stephanie Jurkova.

Professional dancer and teacher Ryan Anderson and the lady in red, Donna Hammerschmidt, strike a pose for the lens.

Roxanne ‘Sexy Samba’ McCaig and her dance partner Ryan Anderson.

Liberal Party of Canada, Alberta chairman Robbie ‘The Bull Fighter’ Schuett and his dance partner, Iveta Milciute.

Dagmar Jamieson of Foundation Fighting Blindness, left, is pictured with Branch Out Neurological Foundation executive director Crystal Phillips.

International Avenue Arts and Culture Centre board chair Scott Beaton and his wife Lorna Beaton were on hand to cheer on their favourite dancers.