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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamfords Curtain Call kicked off its fifth annual Dancing With the Stars, fundraising event Thursday by introducing its cast of Fairfield County celebrities.
Youre the teacher, mold me, Wayne DeVingo, a Norwalk resident and owner of Salon Wayne, said with a laugh to his dance partner, Jude Coraldi of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Coraldi said that is the way she prefers it and already has an idea of what the two will be doing, though she did not give it away just yet.
DeVingo added that he does not have any formal dance experience. But he says he is an athlete, does not have two left feet and is excited to be giving back to the community.
The entire cast of local celebrities and their professional partners is as follows:
DeVingo and Coraldi;
Jeanne Hendrickson of Stamford, director of finance at Perey Turnstiles Inc. with professional dance partner Peter Hahn of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Norwalk;
Karen Kelly of Stamford, associate publisher at Moffly Media with professional dance partner Lou Lopez of the Latin Moves Dance Studio;
Lori Mercede of Stamford with professional dance partner Ted Thomas of the New England Academy of Dance;
Theresa Rogers Matthews of Greenwich, the owner of Horseneck Wines, with professional dance partner Mayko Noriega of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Greenwich;
Jimmy Romaniello of Stamford, owner of James Daniels Entertainment, with professional dance partner Shannon Chapman of Maria Fiora's Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio;
Mia Schipani of Stamford, vice president of business development at RMS Companies, with professional dance partner Cameron Johnson of Maria Fiora's Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio;
Jeffrey Selden of Weston, managing partner at Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning, with professional dance partner Sarah Lee Michaels;
Meri Wick of Norwalk with professional dance partner Michael Powers of Arthur Murray of White Plains, N.Y.; and
Steven M. Wise of Stamford, owner of Steven Wise Associates, with professional dance partner Rosa Petriello of Arthur Murray of Greenwich.
The competition will be held May 19 at the Palace Theatre in Stamford. Just like the television show, a panel of judges will critique the stars performances. The judges, who have not yet been named, will also give the Judges Choice Awards for the best male and female performer.
In addition to the judges picks, the audience will also have a say by buying votes for their favorite performer. The votes will be $10 each, similar to a sponsorship for a walk-a-thon, and the male and female performers who receive the most votes will receive the Peoples Choice Awards.
Last year, about $70,000 was raised through the votes alone, said Lou Ursone, executive director of Curtain Call. About $112,000 was the net gain for last years performance, he said.
Visit Curtain Calls website or call 203-329-8207 for more information about tickets, sponsorships and voting. Tickets and sponsorship prices begin at $125.
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