With a pulled groin here and a bad knee there, it's a wonder these types of activities ever get off the ground.
Despite all the aches and pains, participants will hit the dance floor for the third annual Boogie with the Stars.
During the New Year's eve event local celebrities trip the light fantastic in an effort to raise funds for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation at the Civic Centre.
Six well-known members of the community pair up with dance instructors from Dance North to hone their fancy footwork, which they will present during a full evening's entertainment.
During the celebration, guests will enjoy a lovely multicultural buffet dinner, the dance competition and then a dance for all to enjoy, where Steve Elliott brings Elvis to town with a tribute to the star, including a live band rocking the night until 1 a.m.
Local celebrities include Trish Bella, from School District 57, Selen Alpay, owner of Canadian Tire, Dr. Charles Jago from Northern Health, Chris Jensen from Telus, Marioly Neira from the College Heights Tim Horton's, and real estate agent Angela Lesniewicz.
Dance instructors include Peter Weedon and Paz Milburn, who are also co-organizers of the event, Colleen Ruddy, Leslie Farella, Paul Eberlein and Lee Goats.
To keep things interesting, the judges are Judy Russell, of Enchainement Dance Studio, and former competitors of Boogie with the Stars, Tom Sentes and Stella Royle. There's a few surprise guests that will also make an appearance, along with master of ceremonies John Rustad.
The event was the brainchild of two Dance North members, Weedon and Milburn, who were looking for a place to dance. Not finding any locations, they decided to create one of their own.
"So one day in January about four years ago we took the bull by the horns and went down to the Civic Centre and booked the hall, " said Weedon. Once the event was established as a dinner dance, they added the fundraising element of the stars dance competition, with proceeds going to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
"We know it's going to be a great evening," said Weedon.
Doors open at 6, dinner at 7 p.m., dance contest at 8 p.m. and dancing for all guests starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $85 each at the Spirit of the North Healthcare office at 250-565-2515, Wood Wheaton SuperCentre 250-564-4466 and the Prince George Citizen 250-562-2441.
