Time to cut a rug as Dancing with the Easter Seals Stars returns to the floor

August 26, 2021 · 0 Comments

From perfecting that complicated recipe to learning a new language, people all over the world spent the early months of the global pandemic acquiring some new skills. But how many people in the Aurora and Newmarket communities picked up a dance step or two?

Only time will tell as six local community builders prepare to dust off their dancing shoes for Dancing with the Stars Aurora-Newmarket.

The popular annual fundraiser, which was forced to be a wallflower in 2020 due to COVID-19, is returning to Aurora’s Royal Venetian on October 7, with a hybrid event benefiting Easter Seals kids.

Among the participants this year who will be taking the floor with professionals from Artistica Ballroom Dance Studios are Auroran photographer Glenn Rodger, Deb Wilson of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Allison Collins-Mrakas, Newmarket’s Barb Kwapis, Josh Campbell, and Sean Stephens of Treefrog Inc.

“Through the pandemic we have been in talks with the coordinators of Easter Seals to see how we can bring this event back in person and it is exciting to see we’re going to be doing a kind of hybrid event,” says Artistica co-owner Kelly Stacey. “There will be the same ‘wow’ factor if you can get a ticket and see it in person, but you also have the opportunity to see it in the comfort of your own home and still raise a lot of money for Easter Seals, which is why we’re all here in the first place.”

Since the global pandemic took hold, Artistica has become adept in translating activities that normally require face-to-face interaction to digital platforms like Zoom. Artistica co-owner Patrick Derry says the time has allowed them to learn what does and doesn’t work.

“We have been able to pivot and we have gone from a position where we were basically thinking, ‘How is this ever going to work?’ to now we have students in Kitchener and British Columbia we’re doing dance lessons virtually,” he says. “We have gotten a feel for it and I think over the next couple of weeks we’re going to have the opportunity to really figure out how we’re going to keep everyone engaged.”

“It has not been an easy year for us, but we’re definitely very lucky to have a wonderful community that is supporting us along the way,” adds co-owner Anastasia Trutneva. “Our students did an amazing job just taking us through the last few years. The second our doors were open, everyone was back here dancing as if nothing happened. That is a big tribute to how amazing this community is and how amazing our students are.”

The number of prominent local residents who have volunteered to step onto the floor with them is a testament not only to Artistica but also Easter Seals, and the true meaning of the event, which is to help send children with physical challenges to summer camps.

“I’m here just to have fun and raise money for Easter Seals – and try not to be nervous about the dancing,” says Mr. Rodger. “I have never danced in my life before, but I just like having fun and hopefully I can raise some money. I told [the instructors] I wanted to do a couple of backflips, so everything about my dances is up in the air!”

Easter Seals is a cause close to Ms. Wilson’s heart, having gone to public school with Brent Morning, who has been a prominent voice for the non-profit.

“I really wanted to do it for the kids,” she says. “I think it is going to be exciting. We’re going to put it all out there for the kids. It is about the kids and what we’re raising money for – and to have fun!”

Ms. Kwapis and her husband, Newmarket Councillor Bob Kwapis, have been involved in the event before as active audience members. To be on the dance floor might be a significant shift of gears, but it is one she says she is definitely looking forward to.

“It is so inspirational when you hear the Easter Seals ambassadors speak,” she says. “I have two kids myself, and I thought, if they are not able to attend camps and have all the amazing opportunities they have just because of some kind of disability, it would be heartbreaking. To help the youth and the young people just get out there and enjoy is important because they are our future.”

Adds Mr. Stephens with a chuckle, “I’m a play to win kind of guy. Whatever they [the instructors] can possibly do, I will break myself in half to make it happen. I am willing to sacrifice myself for the greater good of the children!”

As the Artistica co-owners look ahead to the October event, they are eager to get back out there and support the community that has, in turn, supported them.

“We realize the connections we make here both in the community with our students, our client base, and being able to reach out and help charities has always been the number one thing for us and has always been so important,” says Patrick. “We’re so excited to be back into it. We’re all coming into it with a fresh set of eyes and feeling motivated to bring the arts back and help get things kick-started back into some sense of normalcy.”

Adds Kelly: “Easter Seals has only two of these events the whole year and they’re used to doing so many more. They only have us and Barrie and that’s it. They need all the funds you can possibly get for these kids. Everyone should just pull out their wallets and just donate to these dancers and help support Easter Seals.”

For more on the 2021 Dancing with the Easter Seals Stars event, and how can donate to the dancer of your choice, visit eastersealsdancing.org/newmarket.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter