All the contestants of the 2023 Dancing with the Shuswap Stars. (photo credit: Kristal Burgess Photography)

By Pete McIntyre

Sold-out event

Locals dance up a storm for charity

Nov 22, 2023 | 7:30 AM

Bruno Tonioli would have been on his feet and cheering.

A sold-out crowd of 450 people took in Dancing With the Shuswap Stars, a fundraiser to support the Shuswap Hospice Society.

The event is modelled after the Dancing with the Stars TV show and showcased Shuswap dancers volunteering their time to perform a dance routine at the SASCU Recreation Centre Nov. 18.

Father-daughter duo Cappi and Jack Bowers (photo credit: Kristal Burgess Photography)

The final fundraising total is still being tabulated, but organizers say the event was incredibly popular with people able to purchase a star vote for $5 and choose their favourite dance couples to support.

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The overall People’s Choice winner is based on a combination of popular vote and the judges scores.

There are two categories: Rookie, which was couples who have never danced at the event before, and Pro-Am All-Stars, which is where previous DWTSS dancers were paired with professional instructors from City Dance in Vernon.

The winners were:

Rookies Overall People’s Choice – Justin and Renee Brien

Rookies Judges’ Choice (highest scores from the dance judges) – Cappi and Jack Bowers

Pro-Am All-Star Overall People’s Choice – Ian Gray with City Dance Co-owner Heather Stranks

Pro-Am All-Star Judges’ Choice – Bonnie Vandevosse and instructor Orlando Robertson

Another news release will be issued once the fundraising total is finalized.