By JO HARRISON
MOVE over Baz Luhrmann, Armidale’s very own Jenny Wild has taken on the task of whipping into shape 14 personalities for a night of glitz and glamour for the Cancer Council’s gala fundraiser Dancing with the Armidale Stars on Saturday 14 December at the Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club.
Most of us laughed at the antics and hilarity of the iconic Australian film Strictly Ballroom directed by Baz Luhrmann and at the inaugural Dancing with the Armidale Stars we can expect the same hilarity from our couples.
At the launch last Thursday hosted by Michelle Shanahan, New England Area community relations co-ordinator for Cancer Council NSW, the stars were introduced to their skilled dance partners who along with Jenny Wilde will choreograph and learn one dance over the next couple of months to perform on the night.
“This is going to be a great fun night for everyone,” Jenny said.
“We have partnered up Armidale stars with people who are dancing in the Armidale community. We have come up with a simple routine so that our stars are comfortable with it and really we are just going to have a whole lot of fun.”
The stars will be busy fundraising leading up to the event with the couples competing for three prizes: highest fundraiser, people’s choice and judges choice.
All money raised will go to the Cancer Council NSW, which raises funds for cancer research, cancer support and information sessions and cancer prevention campaigns.
Tickets to the gala fundraiser are available from the Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club and cost $50.
The stars and their dancers are: Michelle Fittler and Greg Wild, Steve Widders and Jenny Wild, Mick Cutts and Melanie Sanders, Lindy Hardman and Philip Saunders, Steve Frost and Ali Frost, Siobhan McCarthy and Peter Rowbottom, Scott Sullivan and Gwenda Rowbottom, John Shirley and Sabrina Blakely, Mandy Vaughan and Cheryl Hall partnered with Phil Sandars, Jim Maher and Beverly Luxton, Anthony and Mellisa Killen, and Nigel Kentish and Catherine Stephen.
