Charity Dance-Off by The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich Gives the Public a Chance to Vote for their Favorite Star to Win the People’s Choice Award

GREENWICH, CT — The glitz and glamour of Dancing with the Stars is returning to Greenwich for the 6th annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich charity dance-off on September 21, 2024, at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Hosted by The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich, the event benefits Abilis, and the public can get involved by voting for their favorite star to win the “People’s Choice” Award! Each vote is a tax-deductible donation that directly supports Abilis' work with individuals with disabilities. Cast your vote at greenwichdancingstars.com before the event!

Every dollar donated counts as a vote, and the dancer who raises the most, wins the “People’s Choice” Award. The contributions not only help the dancers rise up on the scoreboard, but also supports Abilis and the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide critical programs for the more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families in Fairfield County.

This year’s event features celebrity judges Brendan Fraser, a celebrated and award-winning actor; Billy Blanks, Jr., a celebrity fitness guru, choreographer and founder of the popular dance fitness program, Dance It Out; Tayler Shoji, professional dancer and choreographer; and is emceed by Ali Wentworth, actress, comedian, producer, host of her podcast Go Ask Ali and New York Times bestselling author.

“Funds raised this year will be restricted to the development and renovation of Abilis Gardens & Gifts, to be able to utilize this essential program all year round, and which provides a vital role in providing adults with disabilities the opportunity to develop retail job skills, offering meaningful employment and hands-on-training,” noted Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis. “It is one of seven businesses operated by Abilis, empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.”  

Dancing Stars of Greenwich mirrors the hit TV show and features a Dancing with the Stars dance competition where community and business leaders are paired with Fred Astaire Dance professionals to perform their own personalized routines with their own dance style of their choice. The celebrity panel of judges determines the winner of the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. A People’s Choice Award is given to the dancer who raises the most in donations for Abilis.

Dancers at the event include: Afton Fraser of Greenwich, Connecticut; Heather Rosenstein-Sarachek of Scarsdale, New York; Robin Arnold of New York City; Carly Samalin, age 15, of Greenwich, Connecticut, who won the Greenwich Dancing Stars dance competition and the People's Choice Winner award in 2022; Isabelle Vanneck of Greenwich, Connecticut; Danny Clarke, an Abilis community member who lives in Greenwich, Connecticut; Sara Keller of Riverside (Greenwich), Connecticut; Shari Aser of Greenwich, Connecticut, who won last year’s Mirrorball trophy; Michela Bunn of Rye, New York, Anja Jancke-Souhr of New York, New York, and Elaine Madonna of Greenwich, Connecticut, who has participated for several years in a row and previously won the People's Choice Award.

The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich dancers include: Elmar Schmidt and Clemens Lengenfelder, co-owners of The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich, Matthew Ames, Carol Koutouvides, and Christian Perry.

“Dancing is what we do and hosting Dancing Stars of Greenwich is just one of our most favorite events ever,” noted Elmar Schmidt, co-owner of The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich. “Local stars and leaders in the community have been training for months to compete just like on television. Our panel of celebrity judges, along with the audience, selects the winner who will win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. The dancers who raise the most for Abilis also win the People’s Choice award. It is so exciting!”

To vote for your favorite dancing star, visit greenwichdancingstars.com.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich provides ballroom and Latin dance lessons to all ages and attracts participants from the Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan, Connecticut, areas, and Armonk, Harrison, White Plains, Port Chester, Rye, Mamaroneck, and Scarsdale, New York, areas. There is no partner or experience necessary to enjoy ballroom dance lessons. Fred Astaire Dance Studio has made it its personal mission to touch as many lives with a passion for ballroom dancing. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio is one of the happiest, friendliest spots in town due to the welcoming and encouraging staff and atmosphere. Fred Astaire’s mission is to enrich the lives of everyone and anyone with dance. The organization genuinely strives to make dance a daily practice in the dance studio. Fred Astaire doesn’t just teach someone how to dance, they invite them to become their personal best - in their dancing and in all areas of their life. Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich is co-owned by Elmar Schmidt and Clemens Lengenfelder, along with their wives Isabell Schmidt and Jessica Lengenfelder. To learn more, visit fredastaire.com/greenwich.