THE DALLES — On Friday, Jan. 10, six Gorge-local contestants will be competing in the 11th annual Dancing with the Gorge Stars dance competition. A fundraiser for the Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association (MCCCA), according to their website, the contestants are paired with professional dancers from the Utah Ballroom Dance Co., spending a week learning a ballroom dance routine that they will then perform for a live audience at The Dalles High School (TDHS) auditorium. Like the reality TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” the contestants will be competing for a Mirrorball trophy.
“Three locals” will make up a judges panel, said the website, scoring each contestant after their performance. Their scores, tallied with audience members’ votes — which are cast during intermission — will determine this year’s competition and Mirrorball winner. After intermission, dancers from the Utah Ballroom Dance Co. showcase their skills in a choreographed performance for the audience.
Showtime starts at 7 p.m. at TDHS. Tickets can be purchased at Klindt’s Booksellers and at Lines of Design in The Dalles. They can also be purchased online on the MCCCA website.
The Contestants (see slideshow, at top, for photos)
Anthony Pereira
A registered representative of New York Life Insurance, Anthony Pereira also serves as a Scout Master for a local scout troop as well as president of The Dalles Booster club. He lives in the area with his wife of almost 19 years, Katy.
Amanda Evans
Amanda Evans is the Foundation Director for Adventist Heath Columbia Gorge. Spending most of her life in The Dalles, she “knows the many facets of fundraising or local support.”
Desiree Cozad
Desiree Cozad is a local dental assistant and group fitness instructor, living in The Dalles with her family since she was six months old. Though experienced in Belly dancing, this is the first time Cozad will be performing ballroom.
Johnathan Ross
Johnathan Ross is the morning host for Bicoastal Media’s KACI 93.5 Morning Show. He moved to The Dalles last year from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his pet Dalmatian, Luna.
Christina Vergori
Christina Vergori is a local licensed cosmetologist and owner of Hairoism Salon in The Dalles. Vergori lives in the area with her two youngest children.
Larry Slemp
Larry Slemp is the Assistant Service manager for Columbia Gorge Toyota & Honda. While new to ballroom dancing, Slemp is a member of a theater group as well as multiple choirs and is experienced in performing in front of live audiences.
The information on the contestants was published by the MCCCA. For full contestant bios, got to www.facebook.com/MidColumbia CommunityConcerts.
MCCCA is a nonprofit organization with a mission “to bring artists and audiences together at affordable prices and to provide educational outreach programs to students in the five counties [they] serve. [They] also provide outreach performances to local senior facilities.” To purchase tickets for Dancing with the Gorge Stars, or for more information on MCCCA, go to www.midcolumbiacommunityconcerts.com.
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