Malashock Dance is ready to waltz and cha-cha their way into their 22nd season with the third annual installment of Malashock Thinks You Can Dance. The soiree will ensue on September 26 at Qualcomm Hall.
The event takes its cue from Fox’s summer sensation SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (now in its fifth season) and has been touted by past attendees as more fun than your average fundraiser. The competition pairs local celebrities with professional dancers and gives each team two months to prepare for a public face-off. Judges provide comedic interjections and audience votes determine the winning team. The goal of this reality TV spinoff is to raise funds for Malashock’s education and outreach programs initiated by the Malashock School and Malashock Company. Visit Malashock’s YouTube channel for excerpts from last year’s celebrity dance performances.
A new twist to the 2009 event is an online fundraising program where supporters can donate funds to their favorite team to help Malashock reach its goal of $100,000. The team that raises the largest donation will be honored at the event with a secret prize.
Chairing the event is Dea Hurston with Honorary Chairs and will be emceed by actor Phil Johnson.
The 2009 celebrity contestants are:
Edgar Bonner, Eye Exclusive with Cristina Santana
Gail Bryan, Museum of Photographic Arts with Dan Gibbons
Mitchell Dubick, Higgs, Fletcher & Mack with Stephanie Olsen
Kristy Gregg, San Diego National Bank with Pepe Alvarez
Thomas Karlo, KPBS TV/FM with Irina Chalkevitch
Dr. Michael Levy, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery, UCSD with Vanessa Williams
Anita Norton, Sycuan Casino with Tyler Ryan-Allen
Chairman Tucker, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation with Miki Jennings
Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, MOXIE Theatre with John Selby
Lydia McNeil, Las Patronas with Steve Showers
The 2009 celebrity judges are:
Dea Hurston, Commissioner, City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture
Jeffrey Dunigan, Financial Advisor, Smith Barney
Monique Marvez, Radio Personality, Jack-FM
Ticket information:
VIP tickets that include premium seating and a pre-show hors d’oeuvre reception $150
Tickets for parterre seating $100
Tickets for balcony seating are $50
Student tickets $35
All tickets include an after-show coffee and dessert cast party. To purchase, call 619-260-1622 or visit www.malashockdance.org.
For media interviews, expert quotes, images or to receive complimentary media passes, please contact Danielle Gano, danielle@ellecomm.com, 858.208.9227 or Lindsey Greulich, lindsey@ellecomm.com, 508.330.4383.
