A group of well-known locals will be putting their best foot forward in early March as they raise money at the Richmond Hospice Foundation’s fifth annual Dancing with the Richmond Stars event.
This year, the spectacle that takes some Richmond celebrities and pairs them with a professional dance partner, shifts for the first time to the River Rock Casino and Resort and the dance floor at the River Rock Show Theatre.
Among this year’s local notables is Richmond city councillor Carol Day, who said she is an avid dancer.
“It’s usually the type of dancing you do when no one is looking, so this event will be a challenge,” she said.
Day has been paired with dance instructor David Marasigan who put her through their first practice last weekend.
“Things went well,” said Marasigan who, together with Day, will decide on a dance style for the March 5 show.
“We want something that will get the crowd going,” he said, adding he has already given Day some homework to help build on their two-practice sessions a week leading up to the big night.
“I’m lucky I have a big kitchen to practise in,” Day said with a big smile.
Other local celebs joining Day are Adrian Thomas, who worked in the casino industry and was listed as a participant last year but had to pull out due to injury. Thomas will be dancing with Faye Hung.
Shaw TV host and reporter Dunia Tozy, a self-described huge dance fan, will be paired with longtime local ballroom dance instructor Andy Wong.
Looking to heat up the crowd will be local firefighter Freddie Klomp. Paired with dance pro Clara Marasigan, Klomp said he is looking to show he is more than just a firefighter who is an active member of the Richmond Firefighters Charitable Society and has taken part in many “Shake n’ the Boot” fundraisers over the years.
Steveston Rotary Club member Scott Livingstone will be trading his costumed role as “Quackers” the colourful mascot at the annual Rubber Duck Race for some dancing attire and will perform with the guidance of Laura Xie.
Longtime Richmond resident and realtor Sylvia Mahal said she will be using her love of music to help her through the steps with dance pro William Wu.
And returning for the showcase dance is last year’s winner Dr. Michelle Nielsen, who runs Steveston Smiles dental clinic. In fact, Nielsen was a double winner, taking home both the people’s choice award for fundraising the most money, as well as the judge’s award for best dance.
Since that performance, she has continued to dance in other competitions and will take to the floor with David Marasigan.
All of the competitors are raising money through pledges that can be made on the hospice foundation’s website at richmondhospiceassociation.com. Click on the Dancing with the Richmond Stars section for a complete run down on the celebs and links to their fundraising pages.
Tickets for the semi-formal event, which includes dinner, are also available online and cost $125.
Hospice foundation executive director Pat Miller said she is always amazed by the commitment the “stars” make to the event to ensure their performances are entertaining. Plus, with this year’s competition shifting to the River Rock, it has given the event an added air of excitement.
