Local stars dance the night away for CAN Community Health
CANDance 2018 was hosted Oct. 20 at the Art Ovation Hotel.
By
Kayleigh Omang
| 4:06 p.m. October 21, 2018
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Under red lights and on a pearly white dance floor, local stars Mary Gratehouse, Monica Kelly, Dr. Cathleen McCabe, Hallie Peilet, Dan Starostecki and Elisabeth Waters took turns Oct. 20 performing choreographed ballroom dance routines for CAN Community Health supporters.
When guests arrived at the 2018 CANDance at the Art Ovation Hotel, they mingled in the lobby with competitors and their dance partners until the ballroom opened. Guests continued to vote for their favorite performer online, which cost a $10 donation to CAN for each vote, throughout the social hour and until the paddle raise, during which eventgoers filled out a donation form to support their favorite fundraiser.
Once dinner was over, all eyes were on the dance floor. Paliet started off the competition portion of the night with an upbeat routine featuring several genres of music to match her preferences.
McCabe followed with a classic and elegant ballroom performance. Starostecki mixed things up with a more edgy routine. He rocked a fur coat throughout the first half then threw $100 bills in the air at the end, all while the audience threw new Victoria Secret panties at him and his partner.
After the dance floor was cleared, Kelly took the stage for a Latin-inspired dance that even emcees Bob Trisolini and Bob Nosal wanted to tango to. Gratehouse then channelled her inner Dallas cowboy cheerleader for a Texas-girl routine.
Waters was the final dancer to grace the floor, along with a posse of Pink Ladies. Waters’ “Grease” theme included backup dancers, such as last year’s CANDance Fundraising and Dance Champion Donna Koffman. More than 50 Pink Ladies came dressed up to support their favorite dancer.
While the votes were tallied to determine the 2018 CANDance champion, professional dancers, including Elisa Carlisle, put on a show.
Waters was later crowned fundraising champion, and Kelly won the voters over with her spicy dance routine to be the CANDance champion.
Co-Chairwomen Jackie Rogers and Emily Walsh
President and CEO Richard Carlisle and Elisa Carlisle
CANDance Champion Monica Kelly and Fundraising Champion Elisabeth Waters
The pink ladies dressed up to support Elisabeth Waters.
Rita Thibault, Brian Mariash and Gary Kirschner
Betsy Holmes and Viveca Altobelli
Lauren Tobin with Quinlan and. David McCabe
Michelle Senglaub, Sally Schule and Kate Honea
Tables were marked with Grease cars to support Elisabeth Waters.
Other tables supported Mary Gratehouse.
Mary Gratehouse fans had cards placed on their seats.
The 2018 CANDance trophies sat waiting for the winners.
Roses decorated the tables.
The sponsorships decorated the mirrors in the ballroom lobby.
Tony Pinho and Roger Capote
Nicole and Dan Starostecki with Sonia Ragan
Karen Brainard, Kara McAllister, Lynda Coggins, Shandee Stone, Cathleen McCabe and Josh Alexander
Diana Buchanan, Monica Kelly and Michi Rives
Renee Mattos and Bryant Anderson
Stanley Thompson and Sofya Sokolenko
Lisa Smith, Heather Dunhill and Shari Phillips
Jeff and Christy Warren
Kristen Paulus and Tanya Schreibman
Dasha Cole and Ahila Molnar
Ian and Melissa Howard with Brenda and David Maraman
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Drs. Lisa and Amir Arbisser
John Mueller and Michele Garden
Shannon Rohrer-Phillips and Brian Mariash
Serenade of Souls played throughout the night.
Bob Nosal and Bob Trisolini
Guests took photos and videos of the professional dancers.
Co-Chairwomen Emily Walsh and. Jackie Rogers on stage. Co-Chairwoman Penny Hill was in Italy that night.
Co-Chairwoman Jackie Rogers hugs Bob Trisolini
Emily Walsh and Kate Honea
Roger Capote tells the audience about CAN's mission.
Monica Kelly cheers on her fellow dancers.
Mya Widmyer and Tony Pinho
Hallie Peilet was the first dancer on stage.
Hallie Peilet is a reporter and anchor for SNN.
Dr. Cathleen McCabe performed a graceful ballroom routine.
Dr. Cathleen McCabe is an ophthalmologist.
Dan Starostecki rips off his fur coat.
Dan Starostecki danced with Sonia Ragan.
Dan Starostecki throws money in the air to end his routine.
Monica Kelly says she is a ballet dancer, so this was a hard transition for her.
Monica Kelly is an attorney.
Monica Kelly was the winner of the dance competition.
Mary Gratehouse comes starts her routine.
Mary Gratehouse says her greatest fear is dancing.
Mary Gratehouse danced for her friend Kyle Williams, who died from HIV eight years ago.
Mary Gratehouse's routine brought out her Texan roots.
Elisabeth Waters portrayed Sandy from Grease for her routine.
Elisabeth Waters won the fundraising competition.
Elisabeth Waters is a local philanthropist, but grew up in Austria.
Donna Koffman and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed dance with Elisabeth Waters.
Elisabeth Waters had a large support system with her.
Elisa Carlisle put on a special dance routine.
The professional dancers danced while votes were tallied.
The professional dancers danced while votes were tallied.
Red Ribbon Gala Co-Chairs James Amato, Susan Malloy Jones and Terry McKee tell guests abut the gala.
Elisabeth Waters won the fundraising competition.
Monica Kelly smiles as she is called up as the winner of the dance competition.
Previous CANDance winner Donna Koffman passes the trophy to Monica Kelly.
Monica Kelly smiles for photos with her trophy and dance partner.
Monica Kelly and Elisabeth Waters congratulate each other.
