In just a few weeks, on Friday, Sept. 27, seven local couples will summon their courage and take their newly learned dance moves to the stage as the 3rdannual Dancing with the Coastal Stars — a benefit for Samaritan House Family Homeless Shelter — entertains a lively crowd at the Performing Arts Center in Newport.
Each couple, all of them amateur dancers, practice for months with volunteer dance instructors who help them create a uniquely choreographed routine to the dance style and music of their choosing. As they compete, judges are weighing in on their performance, with the highest scoring couple going home with the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. It’s all in good fun, and for a good cause. All proceeds support the work of Samaritan House Family Homeless Shelter in Newport, an organization that provides transitional housing to parents and their children.
Tickets are now on sale for Dancing with the Coastal Stars, which also includes a reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages, starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Attendees can expect a lively program filled with a wide variety of dance styles, some surprising moves, good laughs and toe-tapping entertainment. Each paid admission will also receive one vote toward a special people’s choice award.
“We are really excited about this year’s show. Our seven couples have committed countless hours to making this an entertaining program. They truly are taking volunteerism to an entirely new level,” said Angela Nebel, who co-chairs this event along with Evelyn Brookhyser, both members of the Samaritan House Board of Directors.
Dance teams include the following couples:
Steve and Bunny Dooher: Steve is a retired pharmacist and Bunny recently retired from Roby Furniture.
Kelly Gutierrez and Kyle Rickard: Kelly works at Local Ocean and Kyle works with the City of Newport Public Works.
Minda Stiles and Itchung Cheung: Both Minda and Itchungwork for Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Dustin and Amanda Capri: Dustin and Amanda own Capri Architecture.
Andy and Sarah Albright: Andy is the pastor at Newport Church of the Nazarene and Sarah is a counselor with the Lincoln County School District.
Joe and Chasse Davidson: Joe is the Lincoln County Assessor and Chasse owns Toledo Clayworks.
Don Chapin and Linda Yapp Chapin: Don owns and directs Crossroads and Linda owns the Nye Beach Montessori School.
In addition to the dedicated dancers, a talented group of local dance instructors also donate many hours of their time to get the dancers ready and to make this event successful. Volunteering as instructors and choreographers are Bonnie Prater, Heidi Rivers,Gidget Manucci-Ashley, Kyra Blank, Helyn Layton, Sophia Solano, and Art Moore.
Sponsors for the program include Abel Insurance, Columbia Bank, Martek Real Estate, Thompson’s Sanitary Service and Toyota of Newport.
Tickets are $50 plus ticketing fees and include both the reception and program. To purchase tickets, go online to CoastArts.org, or purchase in-person at the Performing Arts Center box office. For more information about Samaritan House, go to SamFamShelter.org.