by Shelley Bennett
Dancing for A Brand New Me has become one of the community’s favorite annual events. For two nights in October local choreographers (the pros) partner up with a star (community member) and perform three original dances in a friendly competition. All for a good cause: Lassen Family Services.
For the last few years, it has been Seanne McElrath’s dream to have an All-Star show and bring back some of the beloved competitors over the years. He first mentioned it to me when I competed in 2019. Seanne is one of the original choreographers and has dedicated hundreds of hours to keep it going over the last ten years. This year, the 10th anniversary, his dream is coming true.
With the help of choreographers Celeste Wiser and Tara Bias, Seanne has assembled a cast of 20-30 stars and professionals from every year of production.
Celeste says, “The 10th annual will not be a competition, but a celebration” of our past stars and choreographers.
Local dance studios will showcase their numbers between the three acts performed by the Dancing for a Brand New Me ensemble cast. Each act will include new dances and crowd favorites from the past ten years. There will be some partners, trios, and group choreography packed into each act.
According to choreographer Nicomi Reed, the acts will all have a tone or emotional impact with the first part of the show bringing back upbeat dances from previous years. Instead of an impact speaker, the next act will open with an impact dance, which is a gorgeous modern piece integrating many genres and generations of dancers.
This will lead into several dances full of emotion to really tell the story of what Dancing for A Brand New Me is about. The third act will bring it all back together with fun new and old pieces to show our celebration and appreciation of the last ten years.
We have already started practicing our Opening Number, which has an “old Hollywood glitz and glam” vibe. Over the next two months, the cast will learn and perfect more choreography and fundraise at least $2000 apiece to go back to Lassen Family Services and their many programs they run to benefit Lassen County.
In addition to me, you’ll also see local stars Stacy Bauer, Sheriff Dean Growden, former CHP Kristen Wilburn, Elizabeth Darley, Ellie Brown, Shannon Cook, Ruth McElrath, Gary McCoy, Prairie Burt, and more onstage! There are also many choreographers back to show off their creativity, such as Nicomi Reed, Aimee McCoy, Morgan Whitlow, Luke Petersen, Jillaine Singleton, Nicole McCoy, Doria Dalu, and Alex McElrath.
Behind the scenes, you’ll see Kassie Satica, Karen McDaniel, Terra Avilla, and many others making sure this event runs smoothly.
Wiser goes on to mention, “You won’t want to miss the 10th annual Dancing for A Brand New Me… we have over twenty past dancers participating, ready to their hard work as well as raise money for a great cause.”
The great cause she refers to is Lassen Family Services, which offers many programs to survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault as well as victims of child and elder abuse. First there is the 24-hour crisis line (530-257-5004 or 1-888-289-5004) which will help the caller by connecting them to the resources they need.
They have an emergency shelter, peer counseling, and will accompany the survivor in court and during medical appointments. In addition, Lassen Family services offers classes on parenting, cooking on a budget, and self-defense. They have a community closet where you can find anything from prom dresses to attire for an interview. This is just a sample of what they offer!
Lassen Family Services exists on donations, volunteers, and grant money. Please support them with sponsoring events, attending their fundraisers, or giving your time.
I think I speak for all the local stars when I say we are thrilled to be back raising money for Lassen Family Services. In our careers and everyday lives, we have all been impacted by domestic violence in some way and this is our effort to make a difference.
I remember a day in my classroom when I was upset that a student did not make an important deadline. She seemed a little flippant to me and I called her on it. Later she shared with me how a fight between her parents had escalated into a violent scene ending with her calling 911 and her father being taken to jail. I was speechless.
How insignificant my deadline seemed compared to what this sweet student had been through.
I apologized and later, when the story came out in the weekly newspaper I told her how proud I was of her. I firmly believed she saved her mother’s life.
This is just one of the times my students have taught me a valuable lesson in being a better teacher and person. We all have a story like that to tell and dancing is one of the ways we can share it with others.
You can watch Dancing for A Brand New Me on October 20 and 21. Lassen Family Services will have tickets on sale soon, email me if you would like to be a sponsor!
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