One of Susanville’s most spectacular fundraising events of the year is coming up on October 22nd and 23rd, and organizers of the Dancing for a Brand New Me show say that tickets are going fast for both Friday and Saturday night performances.
This is the 8th year for Lassen Family Services’ dance extravaganza. The competition features six well-known and talented community dancers who are paired with six professional dancers from local dance studios. The couples will dance to a variety of genres in three rounds in a competition similar to network television’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ with a panel of judges commenting on the performances at the end of each round.
The theme of this year’s Dancing event is ‘Survivor.’
“Our theme is really a tribute to anyone who has experienced any kind of trauma and has fought to survive,” says LFS volunteer Carla Dollar who is in charge of the massive annual undertaking, “This last year is a testament to Lassen County’s ability to overcome trauma and challenges.”
“We don’t make victimization our identity, instead, we fight to survive and thrive in the midst of the pandemic, fires, a prison shut-down, mandates, and whatever else has been thrown our way. ”
Dollar says that she hopes people are aware that LFS offers programs to help families function as healthy families.
“Maybe if we talk about Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Rape, we can end the abuse in our community. We have to talk about it fix it. Dancing for a Brand New Me presents a family-friendly version of this tough topic to encourage dialogue.”
Dollar is also excited about the dance competition’s return to the Veteran’s Memorial Hall.
“As exciting as performing at the high school was last year,” she explains, “any theater nerd understands the magic of being in the Veterans Hall. It is home for so many and we are excited to be back. We are taking extra safety precautions with air scrubbers, provided by Public Health, masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for those that want them.”
Dollar thanked the volunteers who make the operation possible, more than 40 different people who help with fundraising, lights, sounds, food and props, calling them, “an army of amazing humans!”
“When Dancing for a Brand New Me first started it was fully-operated by paid staff. This year, we are almost completely organized and operated by volunteers, which means more money for LFS services not covered by grants, like the shelter mortgage.”
The Dancing for a Brand New Me event was created by the LFS team in 2014 as an attempt to bring something new to the community through outreach and entertainment with the focus on domestic violence. Former Lassen Family Services Executive Director, Melissa Downing, and Jennifer House, from House of Dance, were instrumental in bringing it from inspiration into reality.
Tickets for the performances, which will be held at 7:00p.m. both Friday and Saturday, are $20 a piece and are available at Lassen Family Services, 1306 Riverside Drive, Zaengles Home and Floor or at Margie’s Book Nook in uptown Susanville. You can also click here to purchase them online. All proceeds go to Lassen Family Services helping serve local victims of abuse.
Each team also competes for a People’s Choice award online and you can vote for your favorite! Votes are $1 each and the winning team is the one that collects the most money for LFS.
Meet Your Teams
Seanne McElrath and Barbara Longo
Susanville Star Barbara Longo is Director of Lassen County’s Health and Social Services and resident of Susanville for 4-years.
“My name is Barbara Longo. I have been serving as Lassen County’s Health and Social Services Director for the past four years. I am married to the most amazing person, Matthew. We have two magnificent son’s Brandon and David. My daughter lives in France and has blessed us with seven beautiful grandchildren. My granddaughter Leea attends Lassen High School. My mother, three siblings, their spouses, nieces and nephews, and my fur baby Ella, round out my heart.
“I grew up in Goleta California and attended Dos Pueblos High School. I graduated from Cal Poly, SLO and worked as a Clinical and Public Health Dietitian for 25 years prior to coming to Lassen County. When asked to join Dance for a Brand New Me, I immediately said “yes” without even knowing what I was getting into. I am that kind of person, jump before I know where I am going to land. Yikes!
“Channeling my inner self, I had visions of that 5-year-old ballet dancer flitting across the stage in a butterfly costume. My dance career was short as I flamed out when they realized that I had no rhythm to go along with my two left feet. That being said, I never hide from a challenge particularly when it is for a good cause. Lassen Family Services is an incredible organization, and I am honored to be a part of this event.”
Professional Dancer Seanne McElrath teaches at the House of Dance and is participating in Dancing for a Brand New Me for an eighth year.
Seanne has been dancing for over 20 years and is the only choreographer to participate in Lassen Family Services’ Dancing For A Brand New Me for all 8 years.
“I am humbled and honored to be involved with such a noble event.”
Click here to vote for Seanne and Barbara.
Doria Dalu and John McGarva
Susanville Star John McGarva is a Captain at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office and a Susanville Native.
“Hello, my name is John McGarva. I am 39 years old and a lifetime Lassen County resident. I met my wife Mandy in High School and we have been married for 19 years. We have two beautiful daughters, Allison and Clarissa.
“I am a Captain at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, currently in charge of the custody division. I have spent my career in service to the community and its members as a deputy sheriff. I have worked hard to prevent domestic violence in the community and want to bring additional awareness to this important issue. I enjoy volunteering with youth sports and as a Rotarian to serve my community.”
Professional Dancer Doria Dalu teaches at the House of Dance and is a 7th year D4BNM Professional Dancer.
“It is an honor to be invited back as a choreographer for Dancing for a Brand New Me. This is my seventh year, and being a survivor of domestic violence, it gives me pleasure to help raise awareness for this venue. I started dancing at age 15 when my mother took me and my sister to a Polynesian dance studio in Buena Park, CA. I went on to learn the Jitter Bug in our front room taught by my father.
“As a senior in high school, I was asked to choreograph the high school play, which consisted of multiple jazz and ballroom style dances. It was not long after graduating that I started performing professionally. Traveling to other states, I have performed in Las Vegas, and at Sea World in Florida, Ohio and San Diego. I have also performed at NFL linebacker, Jr. Seau’s wedding, and filmed a special with singer, Wayne Newton and comedian, Ruth Buzzy.
“Last year I directed in Susanville’s Best of Broadway revue. This year I am honored and happy to be a part of Lassen Family Services’ Dancing for a Brand New Me.”
Click here to vote for Doria and John
Luke Petersen and Melanie Westbrook
Susanville Star Melanie Westbrook, owner of Sierra Desert Properties, has lived in Susanville for 18-years.
“Hi! My name is Melanie Westbrook. I have lived in Susanville for 18 year. I have 2 dogs, Nova my great grandson, and Sophie, both of who have special personalities. For 10-years I served the children and families of Lassen County at Children Protective Services and Mental Health. I became a small business owner in December of 2017 and am proud to have my business in Historic Uptown Susanville, as well as being the Historic Uptown Susanville Association President for the past 6 years.
“I am past president of the Lassen Association of Realtors, and am a current Susanville Sunrise Rotarian and a director for Lassen County Chamber of Commerce. I greatly support our community and believe in helping it grow!”
Choreographer Luke Petersen from House of Dance is a third year professional dancer for the event.
“I am Luke Petersen. I am returning to Dancing for a Brand New Me for my third round as a professional. I currently work in Herlong, but in my free time I like to dance for House of Dance. We have danced at the Lassen County Fair and for the Reno Bighorns. I have also been a dancer in Susanville’s Best of Broadway. I am well known for my lifts and turn.”
Click here to vote for Luke and Melanie
Amanda Tannous and Seth Anderson
Susanville Star Seth Anderson is owner of Rustic Rancher, Beaver Dam Enthusiast, LARP Member and a resident of Susanville for many years.
“Hi, my name is Seth Anderson. I am a combat veteran that enjoys spending time with my family, farming, building actual beaver dams, CrossFit, and supporting amazing causes! I also run my own business, Rustic Rancher, and I am one of the Local Area Revitalization Co-Op board members.”
Professional dancer Amanda Tannous is an Instructor at House of Dance and this is her 3rd-year dancing in the event.
“My name is Amanda Tannous and this is my second year as a choreographer for Dancing for a Brand New Me. I am mom to AadaMarie and Tanner. We have lived in Susanville for three years.
“I was born in Fresno, where I graduated from Fresno City College in 2013 with my associate degree in dance. Dance is my passion and I hope it is reflected in all that I do. I love to teach modern dance at House of Dance and direct for Susanville’s Best of Broadway.
“I love that Dancing for a Brand New Me provides a positive way to bring about awareness for domestic violence. But, my favorite thing about D4BNM is working with Carla, she is the best!”
Click here to vote for Amanda and Seth
Celeste Wiser and KC Wiser
Susanville Celebrity KC Wiser will join his wife Celeste as a dancing team this year.
“I am a Father of 2 beautiful little girls (ages 4 and almost 2) and married to the fantastic Celeste Wiser! After playing professional baseball briefly and basketball overseas, Celeste and I settled down here in Lassen County about 8-years ago. I have enjoyed watching every show since the inception of Dancing for a Brand New Me and I am excited to be a part of this year’s show!
“I am a big fan of this event since it rallies the community behind a great cause to help with Domestic Violence Awareness.”
Professional Dancer Celeste Wiser is an instructor at J&J Dance Studio and this will be her fifth year dancing in the LFS fundraiser.
“I am a mom of two beautiful girls and happily married to my husband, KC Wiser. I serve Lassen County as a registered nurse and nursing instructor at Lassen Community College. I have danced my whole life starting at J and J Performing Arts and continued to train anywhere I moved or traveled.
“This is my 5th time participating in Dancing for a Brand New Me. I am proud to be involved in such a great cause that brings awareness to our community about domestic violence. I have met many people who have been affected by such acts in my line of work as well as some of my family and friends.
“It is crucial that we bring awareness and show that there is support, self-worth, and love for these victims.”
Click here to vote for KC and Celeste
Alex McElrath and Suzanne Peery
Susanville Star Suzanne Peery is the Warden at the California Correctional Center and has been a Susanville Resident for most of her life
“My name is Suzanne Peery. I have lived most of my life in Lassen County moving to Susanville when my parents came back to their home town in 1978. I am married to my wonderful husband Rob and together we have 7 adult children, 8 grandchildren with another grandbaby on the way!
“I have been employed with the State of California for over 33 years. I am extremely proud to be the Warden at the best institution in the state, the California Correctional Center. At CCC, we have an amazing program to rehabilitate offenders by providing them meaningful training to become wildland firefighters.
“Since 2017, CCC has donated over $50,000 dollars to Lassen County non-profit organizations. I am passionate about helping the community I grew up in, wanting to pay it forward. I am also passionate about mentoring the staff I work with and helping them succeed in their careers.
“When I am not at the best institution in the state, I enjoy traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with my family. Lassen Family Services has helped so many throughout the county who are in need of their services. It is my honor to be a part of Lassen Family Services’ Dancing for a Brand New Me!”
Click here to vote for Alex and Suzanne
It isn’t all about the dancing however.
Through this show Lassen Family Services hopes to bring education and awareness to domestic violence as a community issue, inspire our community to speak out against domestic violence and bring forward hope and empowerment to victims.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month across the nation and here locally Lassen Family Services has reached out to our community through a series of events and projects aimed at raising awareness and acknowledgment of a crime that is truly heinous in nature – domestic violence.
According to Lassen Family Services 40% of California women will experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
There is a long history behind Lassen Family Services. The private, non-profit organization was founded in 1979 and relies completely on federal, state and foundation grants and public donations to provide a lengthy list of free services to our community; domestic violence and sexual assault rape crisis counseling/intervention, emergency shelter and transitional housing, 24-Hour crisis line, sexual assault response team, Court Appointed Special Advocates program, child abuse treatment program, legal assistance/court advocacy, parent education, prevention education, law enforcement and hospital accompaniment, emergency food and clothing, emergency and non-emergency transportation and community referrals.
