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02/17/2016 07:15 AMReady for some glitz, glam, jump, and jive?
The Clinton Chamber of Commerce hosts its second annual Dancing with the Stars on Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton.
Professional dance instructors will pair up with local standouts for an evening of friendly competition that showcases “everything from waltz to swing to hip hop, and even something called ‘zouk,’” said Chamber President Lauren Sposato. “I look forward to seeing what that is, since I’ve never heard of it.”
This year, 10 teams, composed of notable Clinton public figures paired with local dance pros, will compete for the title.
Judges are Jared Eliot Middle School’s Melissa Mitko, Kidz Konnection Youth Theatre’s Laura Attanasio, and Country 92.5 FM radio host and wellness coach John “Cadillac” Saville. Michael John, owner of Long Island Sounds Entertainment, will DJ the event.
One of this year’s sponsors—Lynn Pinder, of the law firm Wilson, Pinder & Snow—happens to be one of last year’s champions. Pinder, who serves on Clinton’s Board of Selectmen, danced her way to the 2015 title with instructor Laurent Mullen.
“I was terrified,” Pinder admits. “I had almost no dance experience, unless you count high school drill team.”
So, what compelled her to take the stage?
The question isn’t what, she says—it’s who.
“Lauren Sposato and Mike Cuoco from the Chamber of Commerce showed up at my office one day and ambushed me in the middle of a staff meeting. They walked in and held up a 10.”
The “10” is the judge’s scoring paddle, and Pinder knew exactly what it meant. She—and four others—had been tapped for the competition.
Last year’s pairs—like this year’s—met at Body Karma Studio to break the ice and get to know each other better, Pinder recalls.
“Laurent was great. The first thing he asked me was, ‘Do you want to win, or do you want to have fun?’”
It turns out, they did both. The two scored a perfect 10 and took the trophy.
“We decided on a cha-cha to Meghan Trainor’s ‘Lips Are Movin’. It’s a fun, upbeat song,” Pinder said, noting it took four or five lessons just to learn the basic cha-cha moves. “Then Laurent kept adding to it. The scariest part was the dip at the end.”
The two practiced twice a week. As the competition drew nearer, they upped their studio time to four rehearsals a week, and that’s when Pinder got really nervous.
“My daughter, who has a lot of stage experience, told me not to worry. Once you’re on stage, she said, the audience is dark. She was right. When we got up there, I couldn’t see anyone, but I could hear people in the balcony cheering us on. My nerves were totally gone. It was a blast.”
This year, Wilson, Pinder & Snow is sponsoring Mullen and his new partner, Harbor News’s own Robyn Collins.
“She’s in good hands,” says Pinder. “They need to defend the title.”
For his part, Cuoco isn’t just rounding up participants—he’ll be swing-dancing this year to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man.”
“I’m just hoping not to make a fool of myself,” he joked. “Dancing with the Stars is great for the community, great for businesses, and a great night out,” Cuoco said. “After the show, the local restaurants will be packed.”
Tickets for Clinton’s Dancing with the Stars are $15 for adults and $10 for students (the VIP balcony section sold out early this year). Proceeds help fund free community events such as Christmas in Clinton and the summer concert series.
For more information or tickets, call the Chamber at 860-669-3889 or visit www.clintonct.com.
The 2016 Dancers
Community member Gerry Campion with Mary Jacq Kirchoff of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
Robyn Collins of the Harbor News with Laurent Mullen of Ballroom Dancin’ Fools
Mike Cuoco of Clinton Insurance Center with Brittany Root of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
Kelley Edwards of Partners in Community with Thommy Huber of Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Jeff Heser of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department with Kris Reaske of Body Karma Studio
State Representative Jesse MacLachlan with Raelyn Hall of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
Mari Lee of Christo Jewelers with Stian Jones of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
Lourdes Rojas of Shoreline Community Women with Kyle Blatchford of Arthur Murray Dance Studios
Adrian Santiago of the Clinton Police Department with Emily Williams of Ballroom Dancin’ Fools
Todd Steward of Stewards Ace Hardware with Raeleen St. Pierre of Fred Astaire Dance Studios