Students compete in 'Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars'Oct. 12, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Local celebrities will be paired up with Western Michigan University dance students to vie for the top prize in the "Dancing with the WMU/Kazoo Stars" fundraiser Friday, Oct. 30. Hosted by the WMU Department of Dance and Partners in Dance, the event will feature a star-studded cast hoping to tango, trot and waltz its way to $10,000 in scholarship money for the next generation of WMU dance students. Choreographer and former WMU faculty member Tony Calucci recently returned to campus to prepare the troupe for its big performance. Calucci has been a coach for ABC's popular "Dancing with the Stars" TV series, and has put his talent to use to create a show-stopping ballroom routine for each couple. Celebrity contestants
Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and his partner also will repeat their prize-winning number from last year. Judges include Lori Moore, local radio personality; Willy Shives, ballet master of the Joffrey Ballet; and Kathryn Williams, local choreographer and WMU dance instructor. The dancing will begin at 8 p.m. in Miller Auditorium. Tickets are $75--$50 of which is tax deductible--and include hors d'oeuvres and dessert. A cash bar will be available, and the evening will be complete with live music, dance instruction, entertainment and a ballroom exhibition. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact the Department of Dance at (269) 387-5830. Media contact: Tonya Durlach, (269) 387-8400, tonya.durlach@wmich.edu WMU News |
