Get ready for an evening that brings the glamour and glitz of legendary dancer Fred Astaire to Greenwich! The sixth annual Dancing Stars of Greenwich charity dance-off, hosted by The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Greenwich to benefit Abilis, showcases the thrill of the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars with a celebrity dance-off right in Greenwich, Connecticut, featuring local celebrities and professional dance performances by the Fred Astaire dancers. Dancing Stars of Greenwich is taking center stage on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich. Tickets to this fabulous event, full of incredible dancing, live music, a VIP champagne reception, silent auction, dinner, and celebrity judges, sell out quickly every year, so it is recommended to reserve a table today by calling 203-340-2760.

This year’s event features celebrity judges Brendan Fraser, a celebrated and award-winning actor; Paulina Porizkova, a renowned model and actress; Frederic Fekkai, a famous hair stylist and entrepreneur; and is emceed by Ali Wentworth, actress, comedian, producer, host of her podcast Go Ask Ali and New York Times bestselling author.

“Dancing Stars of Greenwich is one of our favorite events of the year,” noted Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis. “The glitz and the glamour is incredible! We are especially thankful to Afton and Brendan Fraser, parents of one of our Abilis community members, who originally brought the idea of Dancing Stars to Abilis six years ago and have supported it and Abilis ever since. It’s really wonderful to see the community come out and support us through this fun event and we are very appreciative to The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich who continue to hold Dancing Stars each year in support of Abilis."

Funds raised at the event this year will go toward the development and renovation of Abilis Gardens & Gifts, Abilis’ retail and garden center training site located in the Glenville section of Greenwich. Abilis Gardens & Gifts provides much needed retail job skills and training to adults with disabilities and helps provide meaningful employment opportunities. Abilis Gardens & Gifts is one of seven businesses owned and operated by Abilis, each playing a pivotal role in empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency. The support of Dancing Stars of Greenwich will directly impact the lives of individuals with disabilities by creating a vibrant new space where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

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; Daniella Claroni of Greenwich, Connecticut; and Elaine Madonna of Greenwich, Connecticut, who has participated for several years in a row and previously won the People's Choice Award.

Each dancer is paired with a professional partner from The Fred Astaire Studio of Greenwich and 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!”

Brendan and Afton Fraser have been long-time supporters of Abilis and Dancing Stars of Greenwich throughout the years and are  once again co-hosting the event. They are also parents to a son with disabilities and know personally how crucial programs and supports like Abilis offers are to families with children and adults with disabilities.

“It’s been wonderful these past six years to support Abilis and Dancing Stars of Greenwich,” noted Afton Fraser. “We know first-hand how much it means to a family to have an organization like Abilis that can help provide training, education, social and employment opportunities for individuals and their families. It can mean the difference between living an isolated life and one full of friends and with meaning. They are really a great organization, and we are happy to help in any way we can.”

To reserve tickets or donate by supporting the dancers, please visit greenwichdancingstars.com.