‘Dance for Vegas’ book to mark lives lost on Oct. 1

Proceeds will help fund Healing Garden

In an effort to commemorate the lives lost during the Oct. 1 mass shooting, local celebrity photographer and former dancer Jerry Metellus is creating a keepsake that uses the the art of dance to capture the flood of emotions from that night.

“Dance for Vegas,” Metellus says, is his way to give a piece of himself to his community. The book will be filled with photos of renowned dancers, both local and national, who all joined for the purpose of remembering that night when 58 people were killed and hundreds more injured. All featured dancers have some connection to the city.

“I’m not a millionaire,” Metellus said. “I can’t give out my wallet but I can give out my heart. My heart is my art so that’s my currency. The response and support for the book has been beautiful.”

Featured dancers included

Maksim Chmerkovskiy of Dancing with the Stars and students from the Rock Center of Dance who appeared on World of Dance. Metellus said that he worked with the dancers to convey feelings of pain and joy.

“That’s pretty much what happens in a time like that,” Metellus said. “You’re screaming with joy one minute and pain the next. It’s really about celebrating life. I had them wear clothes as if they were going to an event so they were more relatable to everyday people.”

An official release date has not yet been set but Metellus says it will be out in time for the holidays at a price to be determined. He says to check facebook.com/ DanceForVegas for updates. All proceeds from the book will go to the Healing Garden and its Remembrance Wall.

Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto Photographer Jerry Metellus works with dancers Easton Magliarditi, left, and Savannah Kristich during a photo shoot at his studio in Las Vegas.