CANDance Celebrity 2009

All the right moves

By Stephanie Hannum | Black Tie Editor

They CAN dance! Sarasota’s celebrities impressed a crowd of more than 280 guests with shimmies and shakes across the dance floor at the 10th anniversary of Community AIDS Network’s “CANDance” Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Chelsea Center.

The evening, chaired by Emily Walsh and Jackie Rogers, kicked off with full dance cards during the taxi dancing, followed by dinner, dessert and a live auction — all which led up to the main event. The crowd’s excitement grew when the music was turned up, and they were treated to performances by dancers James Amato, Susan Jones, John Chapman, Howard Millman, Molly Schechter and Nikki Taylor in CAN’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.”

The celebration also took on a bittersweet tone when producer Stephen Sieg recognized the friends and supporters of CAN who have died this year, especially Executive Director Susan Terry. Professional dancers Max Lototskyy and Elizabeth Cartier wowed the crowd by performing a moving tribute.

Susan Jones (with partner Sid Pocius) took home the top fundraising award, and James Amato (with partner Elizabeth Cartier) took home the CANDance champion trophy. BT gives this event a … 10!