If you enjoy dancing and are looking for something to do next weekend, check out the DuPage Senior Citizens Council’s Dancing with the Starz Gala on May 7th. The gala, now in its fifth year, is a wonderful and entertaining evening benefiting an excellent cause. Local celebrities are paired with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios to showcase their ballroom dance skills and even compete for a prize. This year’s event will be held at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.
The evening will begin with a reception, live entertainment and open dancing. Then, a live auction & raffle followed by dinner, dance performances and the celebrity dance competition.
The 2016 celebrity dancers are: Senator Tom Cullerton, State of Illinois, 23rd District; Patty Gustin, Naperville City Councilwoman; Rosina LaPietra, Small Business Owner; Michael Gragnani, Turano Baking Company; TC Leonard, Grant Staff; Paul Audia, Audia Motion & Still Photography, Dr. Mary Ann Hollis, Partner-Grove Dental Associates; David Miranda, WGN Radio 720; and Jason Samatas, Lexington Health Network.
The Dancing with the Starz Gala benefits the many services DuPage Senior Citizens Council provides to homebound elderly including: “Meals on Wheels,” health and wellness checks, home maintenance, and activities.
I had the opportunity to be part of this wonderful event as a celebrity dancer (competition winner) and committee member and had a blast.
The popularity of this event has grown year after year. I know this year’s dancers will be awesome! Their performances will be judged by a team of celebrity judges at the gala, however fundraising makes up 40% of their scores. Voting is open for the dancers and is $1.00 per vote. Visit dupageseniorcouncil.org for additional information and to purchase Dancing with the Starz Gala tickets.