The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor presents the third Annual Dancing for Our Stars event March 23 at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Event Center.

The event center is at 15406 N. Maricopa Road.

The evening begins with a red-carpet reception at 5:30 p.m., featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by a three-course dinner.

The performances start at 7 p.m. with a VIP after-party exclusively for VIP ticket holders at 10 p.m.

See DancingForOurStars.net to purchase tickets.

The ballroom doors open 7 p.m. with a VIP afterparty at 10 p.m. at Oak & Fork next to the casino box office.

Tickets are on sale now, with VIP seating priced at $250 and standard reserved seating at $125.

The fundraising event aims to unite the Casa Grande and Maricopa communities in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sun Corridor. It caters to both in-person attendees and a global audience through a livestream.

The presenting sponsors for this year’s event are Abbott, APS, Cactus Mine, Ellison-Mills Construction, First Interstate Bank, Jerry Seiner-Casa Grande, Lucid Motors Co. and SRP.

The 10 dance teams set to compete are:

  • Celebrity dancer Kelly Anderson, Maricopa Chamber of Commerce executive director, and professional dancer Mindy Melillo, who has owned a dance studio in San Tan Valley for 12 years and is competing for the second time.

“I’m all about kids,” Melillo said. “It’s been my profession for 30 years. I’m just excited to do this with Kelly Anderson, my dance partner.” Anderson said as a single mom years ago, the hardest thing for her was finding reliable quality and safe before- and after-school care. “Any opportunity to bring that here to our kids and to our parents is something that we should all absolutely support,” Anderson said.

  • Celebrity dancer Zoe Cooper, advertising manager at Kramer Media, and professional dancer Myka Borunda.
  • Celebrity dancer Mike Cruz, manager of public policy for Lucid Motors, and professional dancer Krisenna Hancock.
  • Celebrity dancer Jennifer Kortsen, public relations officer for Casa Grande Union High School District, and professional dancer Daniel Kent.
  • Celebrity dancer Rep. Teresa Martinez, R-Casa Grande, and professional dancer Candralina Sanchez.
  • Celebrity dancer chairman Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community chairman, and professioinal dancer Alyssa Mangum
  • Celebrity dancer Gayle Randolph, branch manager and HUD certified housing counselor for NID Housing Counseling Agency, and professional dancer Kelly Cunningham-Shank.
  • Celebrity dancer Chase Salcido, Wells Fargo commercial banking in the agri-business, food & hospitality division, and professional dancer Danielle Porter.
  • Celebrity dancer Rep. Keith Seaman (Arizona State Representative) and professional dancer Marsha Hindman.
  • Celebrity Dancer Tony Smith, president of Pinal Partnership, and professional dancer Sara Brock.

Returning as the event’s emcee is Skyla Teel, of Casa Grande, a rodeo coach at Central Arizona College.

“I have been honored to be the host since its very first year,” Teal said. “This will be my third year.”

This year’s panel of judges comprises Dr. Tracey Lopeman, Maricopa Unified School District superintendent and one of last year’s celebrity dancers. She won the Showstopper Award.

Other judges are local dentist Jeff Mitchell and Ray Nieves, owner and operator of 911 Air Repair in Maricopa.

Returning from last year is performance director Carrie Vargas, who founded the Maricopa Community Theatre.

Supporters can vote for their favorite dancers at $10 per vote, with no limit on the number of votes. People’s choice voting can now qualify for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program.

Votes must be received by April 15.

The event ends March 23 but are still eligible to donate towards the tax credit until April 15.

Awards for the event include People’s Choice, Top Friend-raiser, the Mirror Ball Award and the Judge’s Choice Award.

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