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Are You Ready to Rumba?
by Tonya Dixon
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If you are looking for seats to the most anticipated and
talked about match-up in Baton Rouge, The Big Buddy Program is hosting a
dance competition with contenders ready for a duel. For the second year
in a row, The Big Buddy Program will produce Dancing with the Stars -
Baton Rouge on Saturday, April 26 from 6 to 10 pm at the Pete Maravich
Assembly Center. This event offers a chance to see our city's most
popular public figures dance and have a great time all in the spirit of
supporting a good cause. This fundraising event and show will feature
local celebrities paired with professional dancers. Each pair has
practiced for months to create, learn and master a dance routine for
this big night.
The 2008 dancers include Layne McDaniel of Noesis Data, Rock Rockenbaugh
of Kean's the Cleaners, attorney E. Eric Guirard, Sam McGuire of WYNK-FM,
Bebe Facundus of Botero and Associates, publisher of InRegister magazine
Chris Russo Blackwood, attorney Dede S Ferrara, community volunteer
Suzie Adler Toups, pediatric dentist Robert Delarosa, Ruffin Rodrigue of
Ruffino's Italian Restaurant, Louisiana House of Representatives Michael
Jackson, Laurie Aronson of Lipsey's, present of Louisiana Lottery Corp
Rose Hudson, Denise Johnson of Citadel Broadcasting and news reporter
Kristy Davis.
Town Favorites met up with some of the dancers at Ric Seeling Club Dance
to get a sneak peak at some of their routines and to get a few
predictions on the outcome of the competition. Last year, friendly
neighbors Layne McDaniel and Rock Rockenbaugh split a table and enjoyed
watching Whitney Vann win the competition. This year, when McDaniel
found out that his buddy signed up to be a dancer in 2008 production, he
knew that he had to join in on the fun with some friendly competition
and proposed a few wagers. The two began a crusade to see who could sell
the most tables for this program. As of now, McDaniel is winning: eleven
tables to Rockenbaugh's seven. And to make it even more exciting, it
seems that both McDaniel and Rockenbaugh believe that the first placed
trophy is already engraved with their name on it. Both have been
practicing since January and plan on being in top shape for the
competition. McDaniel will perform an East Coast Swing with partner
Lauren Wood, while Rockenbaugh will try to steal the show with a Fox
Trot alongside professional dancer, Courtney Black.
McDaniel stated, "Joining the competition was three-fold - to sell the
most tables, to win the dance competition and to loose 20 lbs." He feels
that two of the three are in the bag and that he only has to loose
another 7 lbs to meet his goal! As for his rival, Rockenbaugh doesn't
seem very worried. He has always been an avid exerciser and plans on not
letting the sixty-plus hours of dance practice go to waste after he
receives his trophy. He plans on enjoying his newfound talents by
continuing to dance with his wife after the competition is over.
McDaniel reminded him that he plans on dancing again at the event next
year because the winners are asked to return to the floor the following
year.
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Layne McDaniel with partner, Lauren Wood |
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Rock Rockenbaugh with partner,
Courtney Black |
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They definitely
need to be reminded that they have some silent, but fierce
competition from the ladies in the group. Suzie Adler Toups is
partnered with dance studio owner, Ric Seeling in a Jive number that
should concern them. Seeling said, "Suzie was handed to me with tons
of talent, which on one hand has made my job easier. On the other
hand, she wants to do more and be the best, so I have really had to
go all out with her." She claims to be a faster and younger version
of the guys and will definitely have more fun than them! Dede
Ferrara came into the competition late, so she basically moved into
the studio to catch up. She is also dancing with Seeling, and
together, they put together a complex dynamite disco hustle routine.
She calls it "flash and trash" and is constantly looking up moves
and tricks on the internet and adding to their routine. Ferrara
says, "I believe that the best way to improve the community is to
work with our youth and help them to become great adults." She is
having a blast doing so. Bebe Facundus is certainly one to watch and
could steal the show, as she claims to be "The Queen." She will be
performing a free style dance from her native Bogata, Columbia.
All kidding aside, all are honored to be a part of such a wonderful
fundraising event in the Greater Baton Rouge area. They all hold a
special affinity to children's programs close to their hearts and
believe in giving children a fair chance. The Big Buddy program
certainly does that. The non-profit youth organization serves over
8,000 economically, educationally or emotionally disadvantaged
children per year through mentoring, tutoring and after-school
programs. The Big Buddy Program relies on the community's support to
provide access to positive role models and learning experiences to
children who lack these resources. Event Chair, Terry Serio states,
"It's exciting to know we're raising money for such a worthy cause
and having so much fun in the process."
WBRZ anchor Sylvia Weatherspoon and local celebrity Leo Honeycutt
will host the festivities. Judges for the event include Baton Rouge
Area Foundation's John Spain, television show host and author Scott
Rogers, COX RVP & GM Jacqui Vines and LSU Associate Director of
Bands Dr. Linda Moorhouse. The event is sponsored by WBRZ-TV, The
Advocate and Clear Channel Radio. Tickets are $200 each, $2,000 for
a table of ten. Balcony seats are $15. Tickets may be reserved by
calling the Big Buddy Program office at (225) 388-9737.
Rockenbaugh proclaimed that this event is not just a competition,
but that he is in it to have fun. McDaniel responded with, "Yes, but
I want to have more fun than you." That one guys, might be a toss
up! |
Dede Ferrara with partner and studio owner, Ric Seeling |
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