The Grand Ballroom presents Dancing with the Richmond Stars.

Join us Saturday March 03, at the Grand Ballroom 12200 Riverside Way Richmond, for an elegant evening of dinner and dance in support of hospice. Doors open at 6 pm.

This event pairs 5 local celebrities with Richmond's best professional ballroom dancers. This semi-formal evening consists of dinner, dance competition, judge's comments, audience voting for 'best performance of the night', professional dance showcases and dancing for all to cap off the evening.

Tickets on sale here January 16, 2012 at 9am. Tickets $125.

Tickets

Option 1 (Tickets) $125.00 CAD Option 2 (Table of 4) $500.00 CAD

Method of Delivery

Option 1 (Mail) Option 2 (Pickup at door) Option 3 (Pickup at Richmond Funeral Home, 8420 Cambie Rd)

Please call the office for more information at 604-279-7140.

Pledge now to support your favorite celebrity and support hospice programming and resources in Richmond.
Not able to attend? Support this event and hospice programming by pledging your support for your favourite celebrity below.

Our Celebrities

Michelle Hopkins Michelle Hopkins has been covering the arts and entertainment scenes, as well as home décor, travel and human interest features for more than a dozen years now. She began, and continues, her writing career in the newsroom at the Richmond News, her own local community newspaper. Today, Michelle is also a writer for a number of newspapers and magazines, including the Vancouver Sun, The Province, Westcoast Homes & Design Magazine, LOOK Magazine and Homes and Living Magazine, as well as AOl.ca/travel. She loves to travel, workout, read, write and spend time with family and friends.  Michelle is passionate about the work of hospice.  To read more about Michelle click on the link below. http://www.richmond-news.com/entertainment/Twinkle+toes+reporter+kicks+heels+hospice/5927707/story.html • Dancing with George Pytlik, Grand Ballroom Under "Fund/Designation" select Michelle.

Kim Howell Kim Howell relocated to Richmond BC in 2007 from Fort McMurray AB.  Kim lived in Fort McMurray for over40 years and worked in municipal government for over 30 years.  Kim was a Deputy Chief with Fort McMurray Fire Rescue and came to the City of Richmond to take on a similar Deputy Chief position with Richmond Fire Rescue.  Kim is very pleased to live in Steveston with her husband and two sons aged 14 and 15. We are delighted to have Kim represent Richmond Fire Rescue at our fundraiser for hospice. • Dancing with Gilles Bettner. Grand Ballroom Under "Fund/Designation" select Kim.

Fannie Leung Fannie Leung is the owner of Fannie Florist.  She has been a business owner for over 15 years serving the city of Richmond and has been actively involved in the Richmond community.  Fannie is also the current president of the Hong Kong Merchants Association a position she has held  for the past two years.  Fannie has also dedicated her time as a director of the Vancouver Diamond LionsClub.  Not only has Fannie been providing flowers throughout the community but she's also been dedicating her time and energy in coordinating special events within Richmond.  Fannie is known for her generosity through numerous sponsorships and community support programs.  Fannie is both excited and nervous about participating in this gala but is looking forward to the challenge of dancing.  This is Fannie's unique way of giving back to the community by raising funds for the Hospice in Richmond.  Fannie looks  forward to your support. • Dancing with Wei Wang, Grand Ballroom Under "Fund/Designation" select Fannie.

Alan Nixon, MD Dr. Alan John Nixon is the Clinical Program Manager Richmond Integrated Palliative Care Service, and is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine University of British Columbia as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Teaching the next generation of physicians excellence in palliative practice is his passion.  Alan emphasizes the importance of communication and dissemination of new information. Formerly, Dr. Nixon was the Medical Director of the Vancouver General Hospital Palliative Care Department for 10 years and Section Head, Palliative Medicine King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for 4 years. As the Clinical Program Manager, Palliative Care for Richmond Hospital Alan is committed to Hospice/Palliative Care Programming, Care and Services in the community. • Dancing with Linda Chen - Full time coach and Adjudicator Under "Fund/Designation" select Alan.

Laura Van Sprang Laura “Lala” Van Sprang is a Funeral Director and Embalmer at The Richmond Funeral Home. Laura takes great pride in utilizing her career to serve the community. She also sits on the Board for the Richmond Hospice Foundation as Events Coordinator. Laura is very excited to be a part of this Gala evening both as event coordinator and participating as a dancer. Laura loves to entertain and has done numerous shows in the past, such as: Tony & Tina's Wedding, Cabaret and Rock Comedy Experience. Ballroom dancing is a new challenge for a great cause, raising much needed funds for hospice in Richmond. • Dancing with Andy Wong co-owner and principal instructor, Grand Ballroom Under "Fund/Designation" select Laura.

If you are interested in attaching your name as a sponsor to this exciting event please contact Pat Miller at 604-279-7141.

All funds raised support our Hospice Palliative and Bereavement Volunteer Programs and Services

Thank you for your support!

We thank our Professional Dance Instructors, Sponsors, and Judges for the donation of time and support of Dancing with the Richmond Stars.

Without all of you this event would not happen.

Instructors

Andy Wong
Andy is the co-owner and principal instructor at The Grand Ballroom.  He and his wife, Wendy, have operated The Grand Ballroom and taught over 16,000 students since 1994.  Andy is a National Championship Adjudicator and has judged the Canadian Closed Amateur Championships three times.  He is also the host and organizer of the biggest international dancesport competition in Western Canada - The Grand Ball.  Andy is very enthusiastic about “Dancing with the Richmond Stars” as well as contributing to such a worthy cause.

Linda Chen
Originally from London, England Linda has competed in both England and North America.  Linda is the Ontario Latin Champion and represented Ontario in Canadian Closed Latin and 10 dance Championships.   She is a Licentiate of CDF in Latin and Ballroom and a full time Coach and adjudicator.  Linda teaches at The Grand Ballroom and is very happy to participate in “Dancing with the Richmond Stars”.

George Pytlik
George Pytlik, partnered with his wife Wendy, has been the BC Latin ballroom dance Champion in the 35+ age category for the past six consecutive years. In 2010 they placed third in Canada in Latin for their age group, qualifying them to teach under amateur competition rules. The couple are also proficient in the "Standard" ballroom division. In 2011 George and Wendy finished 27th in the world in the 35+ Ten Dance division consisting of both Latin and Standard dances.   George is very happy to participate in “Dancing with the Richmond Stars.”

Wei Wang
Wei has been a professional instructor at The Grand Ballroom for the past 16 years.  He specializes in both the Standard Smooth and the Latin American dances.  Wei not only teaches his students but actively participates with them in Pro-Am exhibitions and competitions.  He is delighted to be able to perform at the “Dancing with the Richmond Stars” event and contribute to such a worthy cause.

Gilles Bettner
Gilles brought his International style Standard and social dancing professional instruction skills to the Grand Ballroom in 1998. He is a former Canadian representative to World Amateur championship. Gilles is coaching and partnered with Kim Howell.

Judges

Don Dickson, School Principal, Blundell Elementary, Richmond School District
Linda Reid, MLA, Richmond East
Casey White, Local Media Personality