America’s love affair with televised dance shows began when “American Bandstand” debuted in 1952. “Soul Train” followed in 1971, and today, network and cable channels are packed with shows that range from the celebrity-driven “Dancing With the Stars,” whose 11th season begins Monday on ABC, to a weight-loss-oriented series on Oxygen.
These shows do well in the Nielsen ratings, so it wasn’t surprising four years ago when savvy socialite Roselyn Saunders corralled Janet Elway, Judi Wolf and several more high-profile friends to tango and two-step for a “Dancing With the Stars” knock-off that took Denver’s charity gala scene by storm.
Saunders has been organizing these galas ever since, raising $1.3 million for Mount St. Vincent Home and about $500,000 for Colorado Neurological Institute.
Fans may think they’re seeing double in October, though, because Goodwill Industries of Denver and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance each have a hoof-fest filled with recognizable names from the worlds of business and philanthropy.
Dancing for the Youth at Goodwill, Oct. 8 at the Marriott City Center, opens with a routine by Miss Colorado Melaina Shipwash and partner Joey Santos. Saunders and co-chair Carrie Mesch say it is the first time in its 90-year history that Goodwill Industries of Denver has had an evening gala.
Dancing with the Denver Stars, chaired by MillerCoors corporate relations director Moses Brewer and John Wagner, is Oct. 30 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. Wagner is the hotel’s general manager and the event is part of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 40th anniversary season.
As well-received as previous dancing events have been, a couple of questions remain: Is it a good idea to have two held just weeks apart? Or is this destined to be a battle of the dancing stars?
Organizers believe both will hit their marks.
Fifty-four tables have been sold for the Goodwill event; the goal is 70. Saunders says her dancers will be competing for two prizes: People’s Choice, an award determined by ballots that audience members pay to submit; and Judges’ Choice, given by a panel made up of Colorado Expression publisher Terry Vitale, retired theater impresario Bob Garner and Cleo Parker Robinson.
“We have wonderful support,” says Quinn Washington, director of marketing for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. “Each of our 11 dancers paid a $5,000 fee to participate, the hotel is giving us a terrific deal on food, and wine and ticket sales have been strong. We fully expect to make $200,000 for our outreach and education programs.”
He emphasizes that Dancing with the Denver Stars is a showcase, not a competition, with routines ranging from hip-hop to salsa. “It’ll be very entertaining, and everyone gets a trophy.”
Like their TV counterparts, the amateurs in each event are trained by and paired with professionals — international dance champions from Colorado Dancesport and the accomplished members of Robinson’s troupe. Goodwill dancers also are outfitted for the occasion in a custom creation made by Joey Santos.
“I’m a good social dancer, but this is a little scary,” admits Sandra Roberts, widow of Denver City Councilman Bill Roberts and one of those dancing on behalf of Cleo Parker Robinson. “I’m doing the Hustle, and it’s a dance I did often back in the day. But my partner, Chris, is elevating it to a much higher level, and so I’m learning a lot of new moves.”
Roberts, whose friendship with Robinson spans decades, eagerly volunteered to take part. That wasn’t the case for Kate Paul, president of Delta Dental of Colorado and one of the Goodwill hoofers.
“Our vice president of sales and marketing, Jean Lawhead, is on the board of Goodwill, and when they started tossing around names of likely subjects, Jean said ‘Kate’ll do it,’ and next thing I know I’m getting a greetings-and-congratulations e-mail from (Goodwill VP) Mike Pritchard.”
Joining her on the Goodwill dance floor will be real-estate agents Juanita Chacon and Judy Fahrenkrog; Kelly Brough, president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; developer Brent Snyder; Jing co-owner Michael Ditchfield; former Broncos cheerleader Lindsay McBride; makeup artist Michael Moore; Ed Romero, owner of Romero and Wilson Creative Solutions; and Sharon Sweeney of The Villager newspaper.
Jesse Ogas, corporate relations director for ARC Thrift; Faye Tate, a senior vice president with CH2M Hill; former Colorado first daughter Monica Owens; Kaiser Permanente-Colorado chief Donna Lynne; Entravision news director Luisa Collins; Monroe Group president Scott Mitchell; Rich Rogers of Travelers Insurance; community volunteer Faye Washington; Rich Lewis, owner of RTL Networks; and Brewer complete the Parker Robinson dance card.
For Goodwill tickets, call 303-408-2937; 303-295-1759 for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com and GetItWrite on Twitter
