By Liz Leamy
Last Saturday turned out to be a golden moment in every regard for the more than 170 people who gathered at the Tamarack Country Club off of King Street to celebrate the beauty of dance and who raised an astonishing total of more than 106 thousand (106,000) dollars to help support the programs and services for the 700-plus individuals involved with Abilis, a Greenwich-based organization that provides those with developmental disabilities and their families in the lower Fairfield County area with life services programs, therapy and advocacy.
This unique second annual fundraiser event, titled the ‘Dancing Stars of Greenwich Charity Gala,’ hosted by the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Greenwich, certainly hit the mark on all counts as a handful of big-name film and television stars joined forces with top ballroom dancers from all over New England and New York and dozens of supporters and others associated with Abilis to help support this vital organization’s purpose, members and role here in town and also in and around lower Fairfield County.
As a whole, this firecracker group, who emanated of visible goodwill, energy and enthusiasm, knocked the proverbial ball out of the park as they helped raise six figures in funding as a means to provide support for Abilis, which was originated in 1951 and has offices in Stamford, Weston and Ridgefield, as well as a New Canaan site that is slated to open up later in the year.
“This night has been incredible and everything has exceeded our expectations,” said Amy Montimurro, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Abilis. “There is so much love among everyone here and it’s been a true celebration.”
Right from the moment of stepping foot into the expansive Tamarack Country Club, nestled in the leafy backwoods western section of town, the energy that could be felt in the air was palpable.
The ballroom dancers, who were professional as well as amateurs and were the marquee players at this event could be seen walking around in stunning bright-colored costumes and tuxedos and wearing full makeup, which gave the impression of being at a Broadway, London, Paris or Las Vegas production.
The roster of entrants in this thrilling dance showdown totaled 10 teams in all, each made up of a professional dancer and Abilis supporter who faced off against one another in dramatic and fun fashion.
Each team, who designed their program around a classic Rhumba, Swing, Tango, Foxtrot, Samba, disco or Hustle theme, earned points for their skills and presentation in hopes of raising money and generating awareness for Abilis.
At the end of the evening, Dr. Bina Park, who lives with her family in Riverside and has an orthodontic practice in Greenwich and Manhattan, danced away with the celebrated mirror-ball trophy as a result of earning the highest points of the night.
Wearing a leopard dress complemented with a fire-engine red skirt, Pina racked up big points for her electric Swing and Rhumba to a catchy Jona Brothers tune that she did in tandem with Clemens Lengenfelder.
For Pina, the victory was all about participating in this event.
“It’s been incredible to have been here. Everyone is so dedicated to lifting others through this organization and to have been part of this event has been such an honor,” said Park. “I was nervous to get out there, but my mother told me to just believe in myself and that I could do it. I think it’s everything when people go for things and own their strength and I think that is what this night is all about.”
Meanwhile, Park’s good friend, Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis-Alexandrou, a pediatric dentist with a practice based here in town and who is on staff at Greenwich Hospital (and also does a lot of work with many patients who are affiliated with Abilis), clinched the People’s Choice Award for her high-charged disco routine to ‘Blurred Lines’ by Robin Thicke that she did with Elmar Schmidt.
In addition to these two electric routines, Griffin Fraser also did a fun group performance with some of the Fred Astaire dancers to the theme music from Batman, the popular 1960s television series, that earned big applause from the crowd.
According to Alonso Martinez, Chair of the Abilis Board (whose enjoyable routine to Barry Manilow’s 1970s radio hit with Anna Belyavtseva was another crowd pleaser), the success of the event was due to the team effort among everyone involved with Abilis and the event, especially those individuals who helped put the whole night together.
“Everything about this evening has been a lot of fun and it’s terrific because this is all for a great cause,” said Martinez. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and hopefully this will become a regular event.”
Without a doubt, much of the magic of the night was also due to the efforts of the ever-charismatic emcee, Billy Blanks Jr. and the celebrity three-member judging panel who were on hand.
The judging contingent, consisting of Brendan Fraser, the movie superstar whose film credits include ‘The Mummy,’ ‘George of the Jungle,’ ‘With Honors’ and ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ and other hits; Lara Spencer, the effervescent co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and ABC News Nightline correspondent; and Tony Dovolani, the talented ABC ‘Dancing With Stars’ luminary who is a two-time World Rhythm champion and certified World ballroom dancing judge, were all entertaining, informative and engaged and seemed to make everyone in the room smile throughout the night with their witty and informational commentary.
During the event, for example, the judges would tell the dancers how charming, fun and entertaining their numbers were, among other things. (“That was positively charming and so much fun. Thank you so much for that,” said Brendan Fraser to Linda Colucci, an Abilis Board member in regard to her entertaining performance to “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” and her dance partner, Matthew Ames.)
Perhaps more than anything, it was gratifying to see members of the Abilis organization, along with their families and friends laughing, chatting and dancing with one another in the ballroom, hallways and space of the Tamarack Country Club throughout the night, which made the energy and ambiance of the event very special.
“I think this was really a great night for everyone,” said Lindy Urso, an Abilis Board member who lives with his wife and three sons in Greenwich. “This organization does amazing work and I feel the brainpower, energy and heart of everyone involved with Abilis is awe inspiring. I mean, look at what’s happening here. This is indicative of what everyone can do and continue to do as we keep moving forward and that’s what it’s all about.”
