They cha-chaed, they two-stepped, they even tangoed . . . all to have fun and raise money for the Bayside Historical Society.
On Saturday, September 25, the Society hosted “Dancing with the Stars of Bayside” at the historic Officers Club at Fort Totten.
Local celebrities John Barone, Community Board 7 member; Geralyn Marchisello, owner of Spine & Soul Pilates & Spin Studio; James Miranda, owner/operator of the Bayside Marina; Janice Melnick, northeast Queens Parks administrator; Senator Frank Padavan; Becky Wenner of Queens Boot Camp; Christine Zeoli, owner of Studio Z Salon; and Athena Zoulis of Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy all put on their dancing shoes and stunned the crowd along with their professional partners from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Woodside-on-the-Move.
“We never did a show like this before,” said Society president and dancer Carol A. Marian, who explained that they are able to maintain the building only through funding. “Your support will help us achieve our goals of maintaining this building and Lawrence Cemetery. It takes a lot of people volunteering their precious time as well.”
The evening, which also featured exhibition dancers Vladimir Velev and Judy Pinto, was judged by Congressmember Gary Ackerman, Henry Euler, board member, and Tonia N. Cimino of The Queens Courier.
With talent on display, each dancer wowed the crowd and had fun while on the floor. Some were sultry, some jived, and Wenner even went airborne as her partner gracefully lifted her up.
After each had taken their spin . . . and the judges weighed in with comments like, “So you think you can dance? You can!” and “OMG Great!,” the dance floor was open to all the guests to cut a rug.
The Bayside Historical Society, said Marian, has children’s programs, dancing, art, exhibitions and so much more.
To learn about what they have to offer, visit www.baysidehistorical.org.
