Taking your spouse out dancing used to be considered the ultimate date night. On New Year's Eve the organizers of Boogie with the Stars decided to bring the old tradition back by hosting an evening full of glamour, sequins and quick steps.
The second fundraiser for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, co-sponsored by The Citizen, quadrupled the money raised compared to last year, bringing in more than $16,000.
It is always a lot of work but the reward always makes it worth it, said Paz Milburn, organizer.
This year's winner, Tom Sentes, whose employer, Wood Wheaton, is also a sponsor, became so committed to training with his instructor Milburn, he took the studio home with him - literally.
I got pretty serious about it obviously because I built a dance floor, said Sentes.
Audience members were encouraged to cast unlimited votes for $5 each, which added to the fundraising effort and to the fun, said Milburn.
Sentes danced along side of five other local celebrities. Dan Denis of Concept Design, took second place and Martina Humphrey, a TD Canada Trust branch manager, came in third. Also boogying the night away were Paul Winwood, Joanne Archer and Jennifer Brandle-McCall.
Humphrey admits she didn't know what a big commitment the competition would be, but said it was all worthwhile.
I'm such a big supporter of the Spirit of the North Foundation that it was worth being out of my comfort zone to raise money, she said.
While, Archer wasn't afraid of the physical exertion the dancing would require, she was nervous about getting the steps right.
I wouldn't say the moves were easy at all because they weren't at all. It was difficult to learn the steps at first, she said.
Brandle-McCall - arguably the most trained contestant with twice-weekly rehearsals over three months - said nerves played a part in not placing as high as she hoped. But she was no slouch when it came to performing the cha-cha with her dance partner, Paul Eberlein. And she said she had a great time preparing and dancing for the crowd.
Both Sentes and Brandle-McCall agree dancing is something the community could use more of.
I think we live in a really non-social world and we are lacking that face-to-face and physical touch with other people. And on a human level, [dancing] is really good for your soul, said Brandle-McCall.
I really believe the whole community is missing out because of dancing. When I grew up, everybody went [dancing]. There is very little of that activity going on anymore and it's a shame, said Sentes.
