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Charity Dance-Off
by The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich Features
Celebrity Judges and Dancers — Competing for the Coveted
Mirrorball Trophy
The fifth annual Dancing Stars of
Greenwich charity dance-off
hosted by The
Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich
to benefit Abilis, is
twirling in on Saturday, September 23, 2023,
at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich.
Tickets to this fabulous event, full of incredible dancing,
live music, a VIP champagne reception, silent auction,
dinner, and celebrity judges, sell out quickly every year,
so it is recommended to reserve tickets today
by calling 917-664-4680.
This year’s event features celebrity judges
including Brendan Fraser, a celebrated and
award-winning actor fresh off winning an Academy Award for
Best Actor for his film The Whale; Meg Tolin Piper,
a Broadway actress and dancer; Eric “Champagne” Shoji,
a DJ and song producer and international DJ/emcee; and Ali
Wentworth, actress,
comedian, producer, host of her podcast Go Ask Ali and
New York Times bestselling author, who will be the
event’s MC - or Mistress of Ceremonies.
“We are so excited for this year’s Dancing
Stars of Greenwich event,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and
president of Abilis. “Dancing Stars is truly one of our
favorite events each year and are so appreciative to The
Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich who continue to support
Abilis in this very special way. We are thrilled to have our
wonderful celebrity judges and master of ceremonies back
year-after-year — and the incredible dancing stars who give
so much of their time to come out and support Abilis with
their wonderful performances. Funds raised at the event go
toward supporting the acquisition and renovation of new
program space for Abilis, which is greatly needed as we
continue to grow above and beyond what the state provides
for services, care and needs of children and adults with
disabilities. The dancer's and the audience’s support enable
us to deliver on our mission to provide high-quality
programs and supports to our more than 800 Abilis program
participants and residents throughout
Fairfield County.”
Dancing Stars of Greenwich mirrors the hit TV
show and features a Dancing with the Stars dance competition
where community and business leaders are paired with Fred
Astaire Dance professionals to perform their own
personalized routines with their own dance style of their
choice. The celebrity panel of judges determines the winner
of the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. A People’s Choice Award
is given to the dancer who raises the most in donations for
Abilis.
Dancers at the event include: Afton Fraser of
Greenwich; Amy Farber of Greenwich; Danielle Mini of
Greenwich; Elaine Madona of Greenwich; Dr.
Jennnifer Werely of Greenwich; Kristy Hickman of
Norwalk; Lauren Eisler and Benjamin (Benji) Rabinowitz of
New York, New York; Paul Scicchitano of Greenwich; Shari
Aser of Greenwich; Terry Lamantia Cataldo of
Greenwich; Make Mays-Green and Kenny Green of
Stamford; and Trevor Crow of Greenwich.
Each dancer is paired with a professional
partner from The Fred Astaire Studio. Those dancers are: Elmar
Schmidt and Clemens Lengenfelder, co-owners of
The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich, Matthew Ames, Carol
Koutouvides and Christian
Perry.
“Dancing is what we do and hosting Dancing
Stars of Greenwich is just one of our favorite events ever,” noted
Elmar Schmidt. “Local stars and leaders in the community
have been training for months to compete just like on
television. A panel of celebrity judges along with the
audience selects the winner who will win the coveted
Mirrorball trophy. It is so exciting!”
Brendan and Afton Fraser have been long-time
supporters of Abilis and Dancing Stars of Greenwich
throughout the years and are this year’s co-hosts. They are
also parents to a son with disabilities and know personally
how crucial programs and supports like Abilis offers are to
families with children and adults with disabilities.
“We are proud to support Dancing Stars of
Greenwich and Abilis to help raise funds for Abilis’
programs and services,” said Afton Fraser. “We know how much
it means to a family to have an organization like Abilis
that can help provide training, education, social and
employment opportunities for individuals and their
families.It can mean the difference between living an
isolated life and one full of friends and with meaning. They
are really a great organization, and we are happy to help in
any way."
To reserve tickets or donate by supporting
the dancers,
please visit greenwichdancingstars.com.
Abilis is a
501c3 non-profit organization that supports more than 800
individuals with disabilities and their families from birth
throughout their lives. Founded in 1951, Abilis is a leader
in providing meaningful supports to the community in
Fairfield County, Connecticut, in towns including Darien,
Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford,
Westport and Wilton. The organization has a long-standing
reputation for individualized, high-quality care.
For more information, visit www.abilis.us,
or follow on Facebook @Abilis,
Inc., Instagram @abilis_us
or Twitter @Abilis.
Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich provides
ballroom and Latin dance lessons to all ages and attracts
participants from the Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan,
Connecticut, areas,
and Armonk, Harrison, White Plains, Port Chester, Rye,
Mamaroneck and Scarsdale, New York, areas. There is no
partner or experience necessary to enjoy ballroom dance
lessons. Fred Astaire Dance Studio has made it its personal
mission to touch as many lives with a passion for ballroom
dancing. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio is one of the
happiest, friendliest spots in town due to the welcoming and
encouraging staff and atmosphere. Fred Astaire’s mission is
to enrich the lives of everyone and anyone with dance. The
organization genuinely strives to make dance a daily
practice in the dance studio. Fred Astaire doesn’t just
teach someone how to dance, they invite them to become their
personal best - in their dancing and in all areas of their
life. Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich is co-owned by
Elmar Schmidt and Clemens
Lengenfelder,
along with their wives Isabell Schmidt and
Jessica Lengenfelder. To
learn more, visit fredastaire.com/greenwich.
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