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The Salvation Army Puts Twist on "Dancing With the Stars"
By John Holland
Modesto Bee
TURLOCK—Several residents are stepping up, in their dancing shoes, to help The Salvation Army.
A Sept. 20 event called Dancing with the Turlock Stars, modeled on the television show with a similar name, will pit 14 pairs of dancers in a competition. One member of each duo has professional experience; the other mostly has gumption.
“I’m nervous,” said Realtor Jerry Powell, who is paired with dance studio owner Nicole Couto. “It’s much harder than I thought, the timing and certain steps.”
Powell and Couto spent part of Tuesday evening rehearsing their number, which mixes waltz, hip-hop and a few other styles.
All 950 or so of the $50 tickets have been sold for the dinner show. It will held at the Assyrian-American Civic Club and decided by an expert panel and audience voting.
Supporters also can vote in advance for their favorites, online and at five Turlock businesses. Each of these votes requires a $10 donation, but there is no limit on the total number of clicks.
The novice dancers, whom the organizers call “stars,” include prominent residents in business, education, government and other fields. Both candidates in the Nov. 4 election for mayor, Mike Brem and Gary Soiseth, are taking part. So is Major Debi Shrum, who oversees The Salvation Army Turlock Corps.
“It’s really turned into a large community event,” she said. “I think people are having fun with it.”
Shrum, who is paired with instructor John Paul Padilla, is the daughter of a dance teacher and took lessons through high school.
The organizers aim to raise $20,000 to $30,000 for The Salvation Army, which provides recreation, tutoring, food assistance and other services at its Lander Avenue complex.
Event Chairwoman Kristin Bettencourt said the idea came about when she was watching “Dancing With the Stars” on ABC and commenting on it with friends via Facebook.
“The show is very popular, and I think people are getting on board with it,” she said. “It’s a lighthearted, feel-good event.”
Most of the professionals are dance teachers in and near Stanislaus County. Others have worked in the field, including former Oakland Raiders cheerleader Stephanie Valgos.
Couto owns On Your Toes Dance Studio in Hilmar, where she has been rehearsing with Powell, president of The Salvation Army advisory board. The event website notes that he served in the Marine Corps and likes to hunt, though he will miss the start of deer season so he can dance on the 20th.
“He’s got the regular dancing down, but not the technique,” Couto said. “He’s been a really good sport about it.”
Bee staff writer John Holland can be reached at jholland@modbee.com or (209) 578-2385.
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