Dancing Stars of Greenwich Set for September 14

The second annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich charity dance-off Gala for Abilis will be held in conjunction with The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich, Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich. Abilis is a nonprofit organization that provides services and support for individuals with special needs and their families. Last year’s inaugural Dancing Stars of Greenwich raised $45,000 for Abilis and its programs.

This fun event features local celebrities and community leaders performing a choreographed dance routine, mirroring the hit TV show. Dancing pairs are sponsored by donations to Abilis, with the top fundraising team awarded the “People’s Choice Award.” A panel of celebrity judges and the audience decides who will win the coveted mirror ball trophy. Dancing Stars of Greenwich will be hosted by actor and actress Brendon and Afton Fraser and guests will enjoy an evening of live entertainment, music, dancing, a champagne reception, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. 

Celebrity judges include: Brendan Fraser, eight-time award winning actor; Lara Spencer, American television presenter and anchor with ABC’s Good Morning America, Nightline, ABC News, PBS Antiques Roadshow, Flea Market Flip on HGTV and the Great American Country Channel; and Tony Dovolani, Dancing with the Stars: All-Star Season, season 15 champion. 

Dancers include: Stephanie Webster, editor-in-chief and founder of CTBites.com and Westport, Connecticut, resident; Elaine Madonna, Greenwich, Connecticut, resident; Melissa Zoldan-Leite, the sister of Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis - Melissa is an attorney licensed in New York and New Jersey. She lives in New York City; Dr. Bina Park, an orthodontist from Greenwich, Connecticut; Alonso Martinez, Board Chairperson of Abilis and a Stamford, Connecticut, resident; Dana Cifone, director of Gabriele’s of Greenwich; Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis-Alexandrou, a pediatric dentist in Greenwich and with Greenwich Hospital; Linda Colucci, on the board of Abilis, president of Connecticut Playmakers, and a Stamford, Connecticut, resident; Billy Blanks Jr., famed choreographer of performers such as Paula Abdul, Madonna, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones and Babyface — he is known for his revolutionary fitness dance program, Dance It Out! and is the son of Tae Bo® creator Billy Blanks; Lillian Sibrizzi of Westchester County with Sprague Energy; Rita Laurito, Greenwich resident and former Abilis board member; and Afton Fraser, actress, author and Greenwich, Connecticut, resident. The dancers will be paired with Fred Astaire of Greenwich dance instructors Elmar Schmidt, Clemens Lengenfelder, Matthew Ames, and Joanna Lee.

“Last year’s Dancing Stars of Greenwich was so much fun for everyone involved,” said Amy Montimurro, president and CEO of Abilis. “We are so excited for this year’s event, which promises to be even bigger and better!”

“Dancing Stars of Greenwich is full of all the fun, glitz and glamour of the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars!” noted Elmar Schmidt, owner and ballroom dance instructor of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich. “Local stars and leaders in the community have been training to compete just like on television. And, just like on the hit TV show, a panel of celebrity judges along with the audience, selects the winner who will win the coveted Mirrorball trophy.”

The event is sold out, however, donations are still being accepted. To date to one of the Dancing Stars please visit dancingstarsofgreenwich.net. Dancing Stars of Greenwich is the sister event of Brookfield’s Dancing Stars, now in its fourth year. In the past several years, the event has raised close to $150,000 for participating charities.

Abilis is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports more than 700 individuals with special needs and their families from birth throughout their lives. Abilis has been a leader in serving the special needs community in Fairfield County in towns including, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport, Weston and Wilton, and has a long-standing reputation for individualized, high quality care. For more information, visit www.abilis.us, or facebook.com/Abilisinc, twitter.com/Abilis, or instagram.com/abilis_us.

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Submitted by Cos Cob, CT

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