The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
They’ll be dancing all night long
‘Dancing with the Northwest CT Stars’ event set for Saturday night
TORRINGTON — Five local favorites have been tirelessly working on perfecting their routines, and thanks to the help of their talented instructors, they’re ready to show off their best dance moves.
Chatterley’s Banquet Facility owner Paul Samele, Torrington Savings Bank’s Jason Tuncy, Gina Galpin of the Connecticut Mutual Holding Company, the Torrington Area Health District’s Leslie Polito, and Phillip Allen of the Winsted Trails group will compete, alongside their coach/dance partners from Arthur Murray Dance Centers: Chantelle Johnson, Kadeem Jordan, Samantha Lovetere and Duncan, and Hartford Ballroom’s Lisa Spiro for the 2017 “Dancing with the Northwest CT Stars” crown.
“Dancing with the Northwest CT Stars” will be held on Saturday at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility, 371 Pinewoods Road, Torrington. The festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Polito admits there are some nerves heading into the big night, but she expects each of the five dancing duos to give terrific performances. In fact, she said, it may just spark an interest in dancing for many in the crowd.
“It will be a fun evening to enjoy with friends and family, and might encourage people to take up dancing as a good way of exercising and getting activity,” Polito said. “I hope to have fun and hope the audience will see that anyone can enjoy dancing.”
Tickets are $55 and include hors d’oeuvres, dinner, ballroom dancing and a show. Tickets can be purchased by visiting nwctY.org/dancing, or by calling 860-489-3133. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Call for more information. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Money raised from the event is used to support the Y’s charitable services. In 2016, more than $235,100 in financial aid assured that children and families could participate and benefit in the Y’s programs and offerings. More than 800 individuals received financial assistance in 2016. The Y is committed to continuing to build strong communities through programs and initiatives that target youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
“Since 1887, our Y has been reaching out to those most in need in our communities,” said Greg Brisco, Northwest CT YMCA’s CEO. “From providing housing, youth counseling and literacy programs to summer camps, youth sports and child care, our goal is not to exclude anyone due to financial constraints.”
For Johnson, her time working with Allen has been a blast.
“I love helping people do something they think they would/could/should never do. That is definitely my favorite part of any Dancing with the Stars event,” the professional from the Arthur Murray center in Bloomfield, said. “I think all people are interested in dancing, most just do not have the confidence to try. That’s really the most exciting part — watching their confidence blossom as they learn more of what they are capable of.”
Her expectations: “Give them a show and have a blast doing it,” Johnson added.
Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone, who took home the top prize at the inaugural “Dancing with the Northwest CT Stars” event in 2015, and Prudence Sloan and Joel Silvestro, also known as the “Dancing Duo” will serve as the judges for this year’s competition.
The Northwest CT YMCA is part of a 250year-old worldwide organization that strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. With locations in Torrington, Canaan and Winsted, as well as summer day camps, the Y has a longstanding relationship and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change. The Northwest CT YMCA has served Northwest Connecticut for over 129 years, currently serving more than 10,000 individuals annually through its programs and services, which include: health and wellness, swimming and sports, day camps, child care, youth and government, the Winchester Youth Service Bureau, the Torrington Trails Network, the Winsted Trails, Literacy Volunteers of NWCT, low-income housing and an emergency homeless shelter.