dancing with the fredericksburg stars Archives

UMW Hosts Second Annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars

October 14, 2014 by Erika Spivey

The University of Mary Washington’s second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars, held on Saturday, Oct. 11, raised more than $75,000 to endow a UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance. Click to view slideshow. The evening featured 10 leaders from the Fredericksburg community performing ballroom dances with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio of Fredericksburg. A panel of judges provided comments and presented the top awards. Terrie Crawley, a local dentist and member of the UMW Board of Visitors, earned the 2014 “Best-in-Show” as well as “Best Posture” for her rumba. Florence Ridderhof, who danced a tango, received the People’s Choice Award, presented at a champagne reception following the show. Ridderhof also received honors for the “Most Dramatic” performance. Other winners announced by the judges were:

Lisa Crittenden, executive director of Loisann’s Hope House, “Most Amazing Moves” for the jive
Janel Donohue, president of Rappahannock United Way, “Fanciest Footwork” for the cha cha
Debby Girvan, president of Flair Communication, “Most Graceful” for the foxtrot
John Fick president and CEO of J.F. Fick Inc., “Most Flair” for the hustle
Regis Keddie II, senior vice president of investments at Davenport and Co., “Most Entertaining” for the swing
John Moss Jr., attorney with Rinehart, Butler, Hodge, Moss & Bryant, PLC, “Best Rhythm” for the peabody
John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management and owner of the Fredericksburg Field House, “Best Costume” for the Viennese waltz
Joe Wilson, owner of Perma Treat Pest Control and a member of the UMW Board of Visitors, “Most Engaging” for the Texas two step

Darrell Green, Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin, hosted the evening. Judges included Rosendo Fumero, a professional ballroom dancer and a former U.S. champion in the American Style Smooth open division; Susan Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Melanie Kay-Wyant, principal at Walker Grant Middle School. Both Spears and Kay-Wyant competed in last year’s event.

Local Celebrities Compete at UMW Fundraiser, Oct. 11

October 6, 2014 by Jonathan Polson

Tickets are still available for the second annual “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” fundraiser, which will be held at the University of Mary Washington on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The competition is modeled after the popular ABC television series “Dancing with the Stars,” now in its 17th season. In the Fredericksburg version, 10 regional “stars” are paired with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio in Fredericksburg to compete for the top award, the Mirror Ball Trophy. The audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award.

A portion of the proceeds from the performance will be used to endow the UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance. Last year’s inaugural event grossed approximately $65,000.

The 2013 Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars (pictured here) will return to support the 2014 stars and escort them onto the stage.

Performers will include Theresa Crawley, a local dentist and member of the UMW Board of Visitors; Lisa Crittenden, executive director of Loisann’s Hope House; Janel Donohue, president of Rappahannock United Way; Debby Girvan, president of Flair Communication; John Fick president and CEO of J.F. Fick Inc.; Regis Keddie II, senior vice president of investments at Davenport and Co.; John Moss Jr., attorney with Rinehart, Butler, Hodge, Moss & Bryant, PLC; Florence Ridderhof, a community volunteer and patron of the arts; John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management and owner of the Fredericksburg Field House; and Joe Wilson, owner of Perma Treat Pest Control and a member of the UMW Board of Visitors.

Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Darrell Green will emcee the event, and a panel of judges will offer commentary following each dance. This year’s judges include:Rosendo Fumero, a professional ballroom dancer and a former U.S. champion in the American Style Smooth open division; Susan Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Melanie Kay-Wyant, principal at Walker Grant Middle School. Both Spears and Kay-Wyant competed in last year’s event.

Tickets are available at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.

Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars, Oct. 11

October 2, 2014 by Melina Downs

The second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars is on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium, followed by a reception under the stars. The event raises money for a performing arts scholarship at the University of Mary Washington and features a wide variety of local “celebrities.”

Tickets are on sale now at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.

Tickets Available July 9 for Dancing with Fredericksburg Stars

July 2, 2014 by Marty Morrison

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, July 9, for the second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars fundraiser at the University of Mary Washington. Taking place Saturday, October 11, the competition is modeled after the popular ABC television series Dancing with the Stars, now in its 17th season. In the Fredericksburg version, 10 regional “stars” are paired with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio in Fredericksburg to compete for the top award, the Mirror Ball Trophy. The audience will vote for the People’s Choice Award. A portion of the proceeds from the performance will be used to endow the UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance. Last year’s inaugural event grossed approximately $65,000.

Performers will include Theresa Crawley, a local dentist and member of the UMW Board of Visitors; Lisa Crittenden, executive director of the Hope House; Janel Donohue, president of Rappahannock United Way; John Fick president and CEO of J.F. Fick Inc.; Regis Keddie II, senior vice president of investments at Davenport and Co.; Rose Hurley, wife of University President Richard V. Hurley; John Moss Jr., attorney with Rinehart, Butler, Hodge, Moss & Bryant, PLC; Florence Ridderhof, a community volunteer and patron of the arts; John Wack, president of Eastern Sports Management and owner of the Fredericksburg Field House; and Joe Wilson, owner of Perma Treat Pest Control and a member of the UMW Board of Visitors. Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Darrell Green will host the event, and a panel of judges will offer commentary following each dance. This year’s judges include: Gaye Adegbalola, Fredericksburg resident and international jazz musician; Corey Von Ginkel, member of the National Dance Council of America; and Susan Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and a contestant in last year’s event. Tickets are available at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $85, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $75 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065. Check out twitter and #DWTFS for the latest information.

Tickets on Sale for Local Dancing Competition, July 9

June 30, 2014 by Melina Downs

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, July 9, for the second annual Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars.

Visit fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for tickets.

Check out this press release for more information.

Community Leaders Dance to Raise Scholarship Funds

August 20, 2013 by Marty Morrison

The inaugural “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars,” held at the University of Mary Washington on August 17, raised more than $65,000 to endow a UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance.

Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars [see the SlideDeck]

An audience of more than 500 watched as nine leaders in the Fredericksburg community performed ballroom dances with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio of Fredericksburg. A panel of judges provided comments and presented the top awards. Ellen Killough, chief executive officer with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, earned “Best-in-Show” for her Mambo, performed with Michael Scott, co-owner of Strictly Ballroom. She also received recognition for the “Most Amazing Move.” Mary Katherine Greenlaw, mayor of the City of Fredericksburg, who danced a QuickStep with Michael Scott, received the People’s Choice Award, given at a Champagne reception following the performances. Greenlaw also received honors for “Fanciest Footwork.” Despite their long, hard work in preparation for the event, the evening’s celebrities were unanimous in their praise of the event. “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars will certainly go down as one of my best personal experiences ever,” said William B. Young, chief executive officer for Virginia Partners Bank, who received a “Best Costume” award for his performance of the Hustle. UMW President Richard V. Hurley, who received the “Best Posture” award for his Rumba routine, said the fundraising event will be an annual one. “Everyone thought it was one of the best events Fredericksburg has ever seen,” he said. Other winners announced by the judges were:

Melanie Kay-Wyatt, principal of Walker-Grant Middle School, “Most Spirited” for the Salsa
J. Martin Bass, retired attorney and judge, “Most Entertaining” for the Cha Cha
Fred M. Rankin III, president and chief executive officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, “Most Rhythmical” for the Swing
Susan G. Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, “Most Flair” for the Samba
Richmond McDaniel, senior vice president for C.B. Richard Ellis, “Most Dramatic” for the Tango.

Kevin Bartram, director of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, and Penny Wack, a disc jockey at country music radio station Thunder 104.5, hosted the evening. Judges were Dori Eglevsky, community volunteer; Patrick A’Hearn, artistic director of the Riverside Center; and Corey Von Ginkel, member of the National Dance Council of America. Caressa Cameron-Jackson, Miss America 2010, was unable to participate due to deaths in the family. Lias Biever, director of Donor Services with The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, who attended the event, described the evening as “wildly entertaining.” “I am so impressed by the courage and sheer personality of the local leaders involved,” she said. “The reception was a great party. It was a super event all around.”

Fredericksburg’s Stars Raise Funds for UMW Scholarship

May 25, 2013 by Brynn Boyer

Ten Fredericksburg-area community leaders will don dancing shoes on Saturday, August 17 to raise money for a performing arts scholarship at the University of Mary Washington. “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” will begin at 7 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium, followed by an outdoor reception.

“Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” is modeled after the popular ABC television series “Dancing with the Stars,” now in its 16th season. In the Fredericksburg version, the 10 regional “stars” will be paired with professional dancers from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio in Fredericksburg to compete for the People’s Choice Award. The performance also will include two hosts and a panel of judges who will offer commentary following each dance. Proceeds from the performance will be used to endow the UMW Performing Arts in the Community Scholarship for regional students who excel in music, theatre or dance. Performers will include J. Martin Bass, retired lawyer and judge; Caressa Cameron-Jackson, Miss America 2010; Mary Katherine Greenlaw, mayor of the City of Fredericksburg; Richard V. Hurley, president of UMW; Ellen Killough, president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center; Richmond McDaniel, senior vice president of CBRE; Fred M. Rankin III, president and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare; Susan Garnett Spears, president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce; Deirdre Powell White, president and CEO of DPW Training & Associates, LLC; and Bill Young, CEO of Virginia Partners Bank. “I firmly believe that the exposure to the arts is a hallmark of a liberal arts education,” Rankin said. “We are blessed in this community to have a myriad of choices to enjoy, from the downtown galleries to the performing arts available at the University of Mary Washington.” Kevin Bartram, director of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, and Penny Wack, a disc jockey at country music radio station Thunder 104.5, will host the evening. Judges Dori Eglevsky, community volunteer, Patrick A’Hearn, associate artistic director of the Riverside Center and Corey Von Ginkel, member of the National Dance Council of America, will judge the performers and determine the “Best in Show.” Audience members will be provided ballots to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award winner. Tickets are on sale at http://fredericksburgstars.umw.edu for $75, plus a $5 processing fee, of which $65 is tax deductible. Seats are selected and reserved at the time of purchase. For more information, contact (540) 654-1065.