Fancy footwork, some good food, and a dance contest to keep things interesting, is on the agenda for Boogie with the Stars, a New Year's Eve dinner dance at the Civic Centre Dec. 31.
The fourth annual event was created for those ballroom dance enthusiasts to indulge in their passion for a variety of dances, including the swing, tango, waltz, and cha-cha.
This event always sees proceeds from the voting process for the dance contest going to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, specifically for the purchase of a SPECT-CT scanner.
The scanner uses a safe radioactive substance and a special camera to create 3D images, offering more accuracy and speed of testing that benefits the patient on many levels.
"We're hoping to raise at least $30,000 this year," said Paz Milburn. The fundraised amount has increased every year and last year $27,000 was donated. Milburn said she's hoping to beat that number this year.
During the dance competition, there are six couples participating, featuring a local celebrity with a dance instructor, except one real-life couple, Citizen advertising consultant Norm Coyne and Candice Mannahan, who wished to dance together and are being instructed as a team by Peter Weedon and Milburn.
Others include Kelli Moorhead with instructor Weedon, Rebecca Lear with instructor Phil Thalmann, Dexter Tabora with instructor Leslie Farella and Brad Bonner with instructor Milburn.
The swing is a very popular dance and a variety of this style of dance will be showcased during Boogie with the Stars.
Milburn and her partner, Bonner, will take on the tango, a slower dance.
"With a slow dance, every movement is very visible so the rhythm has to be exact," said Milburn. "A faster dance will hide all the flaws and you can have fun and even if you make mistakes, it's not so visible."
Not only is this the place to show off some smooth dance floor moves, but there's another bonus to an evening like this, Milburn said.
"You can never be too dressed up for this New Year's eve event," she laughed. "Ladies and gentlemen can wear all the bling and fancy shoes because this is a gala evening and at the same time it benefits the community."
Tickets are $85 at the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation 250-565-2515 or Wood Wheaton Supercentre 250-565-4466.
