AN INNOVATIVE virtual event which plans to transform the Limestone Coast community into dancing superstars has been launched today.
In a bid to lift community spirit, boost family connection and create fun during isolation, the Stand Like Stone Foundation has announced its Streaming with the Stars online project.
The “friend-raiser” will take the place of the foundation’s annual fundraiser Swinging With The Stars, which was postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foundation chief executive officer Anne Kerr said the free event was an exciting way to give back to the region during the current climate.
“It was a tough decision to cancel Swinging with the Stars, but the board saw it as an opportunity to do something new,” Ms Kerr said.
“We came up with the idea of a virtual event and rather than just having our eight regional celebrities, we decided we wanted everybody to have opportunity to become a dancing star.”
The initiative will involve a livestream dancing lesson online by Hype Dance Studio director Kim Cella who will teach the swivels and turns of the jive to the public.
The video will remain on the online after the livestream and the community will have two weeks to learn the dance.
Adding an element of competition, residents will then be encouraged to film their final take of the dance and upload it to the Stand Like Stone Foundation’s website.
The public will be encouraged to vote for their favourite dancers to crown the winner.
Ms Cella said the main aim of Streaming with the Stars was to form or re-create connection among household family members.
“The dance does not have to be with your partner and could be done with children, cousins or even grandparents,” she said, adding Ballroom Blitz had been chosen as the dance song.
“We encourage people to be creative and they can dance with their cat, dog or toys at home, there are no rules.
“We chose the jive because it is funny and exciting, but it can be peeled right back and taken seriously too.”
2020 Swinging with the Stars contestant Caroline Barr said while she was disappointed about the annual event’s postponement, she was excited for Streaming with the Stars.
“I think this is just another fabulous way to get the whole community together while maintaining coronavirus restrictions,” she said.
Ms Barr established the Caroline Barr Animal Rescue Sub Fund earlier this year and encouraged people to continue donating to the 2020 contestants’ fundraisers if possible, or directly to the foundation.
The dance lesson will be livestreamed on Interact Limestone Coast and Stand Like Stone Foundation’s Facebook pages on May 17 from 1pm, where it will remain.
Entries need to be uploaded onto Stand Like Stone Foundation’s website by May 31 with the winners announced on June 13.
The website will include a voting system, with a People’s Choice Award also up for grabs.
