There was a new venue and a new format but still the same spirit.
The 13th annual Dancing With the Stars Quinte – The Reboot happened Friday night at the Empire Theatre, raising money for Volunteer and Information Quinte.
This was the organization’s first fundraiser since 2019, before the pandemic began and featured an in-person audience along with a virtual one.
The new format featured two categories – Parent/Child and Spouses with two mirror ball trophies handed out.
Two parent/child duos took the stage along with four spouse pairings.
VIQ Executive Director Brenda Snider says the event couldn’t have gone ahead without the help of Mark Rashotte and the Empire Theatre staff.
“It went beautiful. Again, the professionalism of Mark and his team here absolutely enabled us to go this avenue. If things had to change quickly, he was able to change for us. The whole thing just came together and we are just so grateful we were able to host this event.”
Jamie and Rodney Bogart, 2021 champions of VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
Snider says the event raises money for VIQ which helps provide essential community information and recruit volunteers for local agencies.
“It goes to support our volunteer recruitment program, our information program as well as our youth volunteer program. So all the funds stay local, supports local programing. We work with over 275 agencies on the volunteer side.”
Jamie and Rodney Bogart of TLR Sports Therapy were the champions of the Spouses Division, their Liane Ireland-choreographed tango winning over the crowd.
“(Jamie) But I think everything else just came natural. Rod and I, I think we’re a good team. We’ve always been a good team. And it was fun. It was the first time we’ve really done something together, structured, in a long time since we had kids, so it’s uh, (Rodney) We always said we’ve wanted to do a, some kind of ballroom class but we’ve never had time and this kind of made us have time.”
Cassandra and Grace Bonn, 2021 champions of VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
Quinte Broadcasting’s Cassandra Bonn and her 13-year-old daughter Grace won the Parent/Child Division.
It was Cassandra Bonn’s third time competing in the event but she says this one was extra special to be able to share it with her daughter and do it for a good cause.
“You know I’ve done this many, like three years now for Volunteer and Information Quinte and I truly believe in the values of volunteering in our community and I’m so glad that they put this event on and bring awareness about the organization and it’s a great fundraising event so, lots of fun.”
Their lyrical number was choreographed by Isabella Rapino of Ireland School of Dance.
A few hundred people attended the event with more watching online.
While did they not set a fundraising goal, Snider says the total raised should be revealed during the coming week.
Jill and Barry Raycroft, 2021 competitors for VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
Kim and Mikayla Baker, 2021 Competitors for VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
Kate and Tony Buttaro, 2021 Competitors for VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
Kirsten Geisler and Cole Naylor, 2021 Competitors for VIQ Dancing with the Stars Quinte, September 24, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
