On Saturday, November 12, the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation (JCMF, www.joshtheotter.org) will hold their first annual Dancing Within the Star City benefit at the Scottish Rite Ballroom, 332 Centennial Mall South. Doors will open for cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:15 p.m. Individual tickets start at $150 for general admission and $200 for VIP individual tickets. In addition to the dancing, the event will feature drinks, appetizers, and a live auction (register at bidpal.net/danceforjosh).
Inspired by the TV show, Dancing with the Stars, Dancing Within the Star City will feature eight celebrity couples competing to win the mirror ball by performing one to two dances for the audience and guest judges. Celebrity couples include NU Regent and Partner in Rembolt Ludke LLP Tim Clare with his wife Amy; Senator Suzanne Geist and her husband Mark; University of Nebraska Head Basketball coach Fred Hoiberg and his wife Carol; Venue Restaurant & Lounge Partner Scott Ritter and his wife Alison; Dr. Matt Byington and his wife Amberly; Lexus of Lincoln Manager Greg Dorff and Heather Callam; Managing Loan Officer of City Bank & Trust Co. Jason Peters and his wife Jamie; and JCMF-Josh The Otter and Float 4 Life Founders Blake and Kathy Collingsworth.
Each celebrity couple has agreed to dedicate their time and talents to taking a few dance lessons and generating sponsors for the event. Each dollar raised equals one vote for your team and all votes will count toward one of the awards. Four trophies will be presented on the evening of the event: People’s Choice Award (Fundraising Champion), Judge’s Choice (combining all of their scores), Fan Favorite (scores from all the attendees voting that night), and Dance Company Champion (given to the studio that trained the winning couple).
Proceeds from the event will go towards furthering Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation’s mission to prevent childhood drowning through early education with their “Josh The Otter” and “Float 4 Life” programming. To purchase a ticket, inquire about a sponsorship, or learn more about the event, contact Kathy Collingsworth at Kathy@joshuamemorial.org / (402) 730-3232. To learn more about the nonprofit by visiting www.joshtheotter.org.