Dancing With the Las Vegas Stars – A Battle against Cancer

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Southern Nevada (LLS) has asked ME (I’m still feeling flattered)!!!……Las Vegas’ own dancer, choreographer, producer Jeanne Bavaro; and Broadway actor/singer/dancer Brent Barrett, the long-running Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, as its competitor in the event’s ballroom dance competition. Jeanne and Brent will create their dance with the help of Vartan Zakhariants and his own VZ Ballroom and dance academy.

It’s been close to 20 years since I have performed/competed or worked in front of the curtain. Once a dancer always a dancer is what I believe in my heart of hearts. “How lucky am I!!!... I have the gorgeous, aptly talented, compatibly spirited Brent Barrett. We’re already feeling like winners!” With just two rehearsals under their belt thus far, the belt (of dance pro/coach) wounded my right inner thigh beyond the purple drenched color of grapes… it’s frightening to think what I’ll look like within the next 3 weeks and I’m laughing out loud and having a ball! It doesn’t even matter; I can’t remember when I had so much fun. I can so associate with the TV pros commitment to the art. I have ALWAYS known dancing to be athletic and hard work, this has simply been a reminder of how much.

Since the judging is truly about donation, a dollar a vote, I am even more encouraged to win this competition. The public’s votes will decide the contest; votes are being sold via the website: DancingWithTheLasVegasStars.com for $1 each prior to the event, with the vote proceeds going to each charity.

My goals are always to be the champion. Contender has just never cut it for me with any venture I have participated with at any level. I am blessed to have had parents that have instilled that competitive “you can do anything you set your mind to” attitude and philosophy. I will be the only “pro-dancer” that isn’t a “pro-dancer” as of today and that too, drives me. If you’re reading this article, I’m asking for your vote!

Six cancer-fighting charities take part in Dancing with the Las Vegas Stars – a Battle against Cancer on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 2 pm at Rain nightclub at the Palms Casino Resort. The event is presented by Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN); CCCN has sponsored the $25,000 prize money of which 100% will go to the participating charities.   

World Champion boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will dance for The Caring Place, Mayor Oscar Goodman will dance for the American Cancer Society, disc jockey Chet Buchanan will dance for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie will dance for Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Foundation; and disc jockey Steph MacKenzie will also compete for Speedway Children’s Charities. The master of ceremonies for the gala event will be master magician Lance Burton. 

Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster; the $50 ticket price includes show, one drink, and appetizers. This event is for 21 years and older only. 

The event will feature celebrity judges Robin Leach, Louie Anderson, Frank Marino and Bryan Scofield. Performers at the event will include “Phantom” star Tina Walsh, Mrs. Nevada Tiffany Comstock, and Tony Delgado; Delgado Dance Studios is providing some professional partners and choreographers for the dancing stars. Event sponsors include KTNV-13Action News and The N9NE Group.