{"id":7806,"date":"2024-08-14T09:17:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T13:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/brookfield-ct\/?page_id=7806"},"modified":"2024-08-14T09:34:41","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T13:34:41","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fredastaire.com\/brookfield-ct\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"Fred Astaire Dance Studios, in the News!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Fred Astaire Dance Studios, in the News!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, it\u2019s always exciting when our talented staff & students, and exciting events & locations are celebrated in the media! From local community stories to national news, our goal is to help share the inspiring examples of how the positive and transforming power of dance enriches lives \u2013 physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Browse these links, and perhaps discover something new and engaging about dance. Then, step in to Fred Astaire Dance Studios and experience the joy and confidence that dance lessons can bring to\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fred Astaire Brookfield, CT in the News<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Newtown \u2018Dancing Stars\u2019 To Benefit 12\/14-Related Causes\n
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\"DancingDANBURY \u2014 Two local women, one a traumatic brain injury survivor, the other an author and stress and weight reduction coach, will be putting their feet to the test while benefiting two post-12\/14 causes when they take to the floor September 9 for the \u201cBrookfield Dancing Stars\u201d competition.<\/p>

Terry O\u2019Neil and Jessica Ortner were both excited to learn about the unique competition \u2014 unique in that even if either or both do not capture the top prize when all is danced and done, they will still have raised money for their causes through pre-event fundraising in the form of \u201cpeople\u2019s choice\u201d votes that come attached to donations of $10 or more designated for each respective participant\u2019s cause.<\/p>

The two Newtown residents, along with other twinkle-toed contenders, have been working on polished choreographed routines, and will perform them with a professional partner at the September 9 gala in a competition mirroring the hit TV show\u00a0Dancing with the Stars<\/em>. Then, a panel of celebrity judges along with the audience will select a winner who will win the event\u2019s \u201cmirror ball trophy,\u201d and a cash prize to be added to fundraising efforts for the charity of their choice.<\/p>

The cash prize represents any admission and other specific evening-of-event funds after costs to put on the competition, Ms O\u2019Neil explained.<\/p>

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Brookfield will be hosting the evening at the Amber Room Colonnade, 1 Stacey Road in Danbury, from 7 pm to midnight. Tickets to the gala include a VIP cocktail reception, a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, professional performances, and a live band.<\/p>

Ms Ortner, according to her author\u2019s bio, teamed up with her brother Nick Ortner to produce the breakthrough documentary film on EFT\/meridian tapping,\u00a0The Tapping Solution<\/em>, and subsequently wrote the\u00a0New York Times<\/em>\u00a0bestselling book\u00a0The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence<\/em>. She also hosts a yearly online event, The Tapping World Summit, that has attracted more than one million attendees from around the world.<\/p>

She and bothers Nick and Alex established\u00a0The Tapping Solution Foundation<\/a>\u00a0following 12\/14 to support exemplary humanitarian projects that promote the use of EFT\/tapping for trauma and resiliency in disaster relief, medical care, education, business, government and community agencies, and meaningful community outreach initiatives. Appropriately, the foundation is Ms Ortner\u2019s recipient charity for funds raised through her Brookfield Dancing Stars competition.<\/p>

Alex was the one who made the call to entice his sister into the competition.<\/p>

\u201cThe last time I did any choreography I was this chubby little girl. I was probably 7 years old, and I absolutely hated it,\u201d Ms Ortner said in a YouTube video she is using to help raise funds for the contest. \u201cSo I\u2019m open to having a new experience when it comes to dancing, and hopefully I won\u2019t trip over my feet.\u201d<\/p>

Her instructor\/partner is a dance instructor who goes by the name Toshko, and the pair will be dancing to the Kenny Loggins hit \u201cFootloose.\u201d<\/p>

Prior to her injury in 2008, Ms O\u2019Neil was a competitive pro-am dancer.<\/p>

\u201cSo it\u2019s like brand-new to me. I had to learn to dance all over again, as I had to do everything in life after an accidental fall on a patch of ice,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt wiped not only my mental memory, but muscle memory, too. I was a horse trainer and had ridden my whole life. And after the fall, I couldn\u2019t remember how to get on or off, I couldn\u2019t remember anything.<\/p>

\u201cI couldn\u2019t drive a car, and it put my attempt to test for my black belt to square one. When I went back, I didn\u2019t even know what a fighting stance was,\u201d she added. \u201cEven the dance lessons are a challenge for my partner, because of occasional short-term memory loss.\u201d<\/p>

Her partner is Marcel Helms, a Fred Astaire instructor. Ms O\u2019Neil and Mr Helms have chosen to do a tango to the Survivor song \u201cEye of The Tiger.\u201d<\/p>

She has chosen\u00a0The Avielle Foundation<\/a>\u00a0as her recipient charity, and has established an individual fundraising crowd source website and a Facebook page where supporters can donate directly to the foundation in her name.<\/p>

As a brain injury survivor, Ms O\u2019Neil was inspired by the organization commemorating 12\/14 victim Avielle Richman. The foundation in part devotes research to identify risk factors that lead to violent and aggressive behaviors and protective factors that move us away from violence and toward compassion, kindness, connection, and resilience.<\/p>

\u201cI met Avielle\u2019s dad, Jeremy, at a Ragnar relay race to run for 12\/14 victim Dylan Hockley,\u201d she said. \u201cThe next year I ran for Avielle. I love their message of understanding violence to end it as well as having a more connected compassionate community.\u201d<\/p>

Learn more and support Ms O\u2019Neil and\/or Ms Ortner by donating to their charities.<\/em><\/p>

Tickets for the main event September 9 are $179 each and can be purchased at the\u00a0Brookfield dance studio\u2019s website.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Brookfield\u2019s Fred Astaire Dance Studio Hosts Gala to Benefit Women\u2019s Center of Danbury<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The gala features a four course meal, a live band and social dancing, charity auctions, a professional show and a dance contest.\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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By\u00a0Wendy Ann Mitchell< (Patch Staff) \u2013\u00a0<\/a>August 17, 2016 6:05 pm ET<\/p>

\"Dancing<\/p>

BROOKFIELD, CT \u2014 The Women\u2019s Center is the chosen recipient of a benefit at this year\u2019s Brookfield\u2019s Dancing Stars, hosted by Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The event will be held on September 9, 2016 at 7 p.m. at The Amber Room.<\/p>

The gala features a four course meal, a live band and social dancing, charity auctions, a professional show and a dance contest. Brookfield\u2019s Dancing Stars Gala is a new fundraising event based off the hit TV show \u201cDancing with the Stars.\u201d Local Brookfield celebrities learn a choreographed routine and perform with a professional partner at the gala in a competition just like on the television show.<\/p>

Each couple chooses a charity and the audience selects the winner who will win a People\u2019s Choice Award. A panel of celebrity judges decide the winner of the dancing contest and who will receive the coveted mirror ball trophy and a cash prize to be added to their fundraising efforts for the charity of their choice.<\/p>

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Brookfield will host the black tie event at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury from 7 p.m. until 12 midnight. Guests can enjoy a VIP cocktail reception with hors d\u2019oeuvres, followed by a surf and turf dinner with musical entertainment by the Hot Cat Jazz Band.<\/p>

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Michael Forrest, a player with Danbury\u2019s Western CT Militia semi-pro football league, designated the Women\u2019s Center to be the beneficiary to show his daughter the importance of giving back to the community.<\/p>

\u201cI have a 5-year-old daughter who is my world and I strive to do great things with her and for her. Sports is one of my passions, especially football. Helping people in need is what I\u2019m great at and that\u2019s why I chose to work at Danbury hospital\u2019s ER as a tech,\u201d he said.<\/p>

\u201cThe reason I chose this charity is because growing up I have witnessed friends, family and even my mother being abused and not having a place to go. Having a place like the women\u2019s shelter is such a blessing because there are plenty of people who need the help and support of others when there is no one else you can turn to,\u201d he continued.<\/p>

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So you think he can dance?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Robert DeFalco led materials firm Ampacet Corp. for 17 years, growing the company from sales of $350 million to more than $1 billion while making nine acquisitions and opening eight new plants. But the question remains: Can DeFalco dance?<\/p>

That question will be answered Sept. 9 when he takes part in a Dancing Stars charity event in Danbury, Conn. The event will be hosted by Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Brookfield. DeFalco will be raising money for Family & Children\u2019s Aid, a non-profit group that provides mental health care for children and their families in central and Western Connecticut.<\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m proud to be a member of the Family & Children\u2019s Aid foundation board, but have recently agreed to demonstrate my support in a more personal manner,\u201d DeFalco wrote in a recent letter. \u201cMost of you know that I cannot dance the Hucklebuck, let alone Ballroom, but I\u2019ve committed to invest in multiple dance lessons over the next eight weeks in an attempt to meet this worthy challenge in September.\u201d<\/p>

DeFalco will be one of eight contestants in the event, in which he\u2019ll be partnered with a Fred Astaire instructor. Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Ampacet is one of the sponsors of the event.<\/p>

DeFalco retired from Ampacet \u2014 one of the world\u2019s largest makers of color and additive concentrates \u2014 in 2015. He had been with the firm since 1983 and had held the top jobs there since 1998.<\/p>

And we\u2019ll keep our fingers crossed hoping for video of DeFalco doing the Whip, Nae Nae or Electric Slide.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Brookfield\u2019s Dancing Stars to Benefit Family & Children\u2019s Aid<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Robert DeFalco, former President & CEO of Ampacet to dance for Family & Children\u2019s Aid of Danbury.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"RobertBy\u00a0Wendy Ann Mitchell (Patch Staff)\u2013\u00a0<\/a>July 12, 2016 10:37 pm ET<\/p>

Written by\u00a0Allison Carballo (Open Post)<\/a>
On Friday, September 9, 2016, Fairfield County will have it\u2019s own version of Dancing with the Stars! This special fundraising event, Brookfield\u2019s Dancing Stars will be full of all the fun, glitz and glamour of the hit TV Show, but will be showcasing local Brookfield Celebrities.<\/p>

One of these dancing stars, Robert DeFalco, will be to raise funds and awareness for Family & Children\u2019s Aid. DeFalco, retired President and CEO of Ampacet and member of Family & Children\u2019s Aid\u2019s Foundation Board of Directors has entered this fun competition and will perform a polished choreographed routine with a professional partner at the Gala on the 9th.<\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m proud to be a member of the Family & Children\u2019s Aid Foundation Board,\u201d said DeFalco. \u201cBut I\u2019ve recently agreed to demonstrate my support in a more personal manner.\u201d<\/p>

DeFalco needs the community\u2019s help in reaching his fundraising goal of $10,000. \u201cIf you wish to help Family & Children\u2019s Aid, or just see my dance proficiency raised to the level of Bo Jangles, please visit the website and make a tax deductible donation (large or small) to support these great kids.\u201d DeFalco promises, \u201cYou won\u2019t regret it.”<\/p>

A panel of celebrity judges along with the audience will select the winner who will win the coveted mirror ball trophy and a cash prize to be added to their fundraising efforts for the charity of their choice.<\/p>

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Brookfield will be hosting the evening at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury Connecticut from 7 o\u2019clock pm until midnight. The gala will include a VIP cocktail reception, a sit down gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, professional performances, and a live band. Family & Children\u2019s Aid thanks Bob for all of his efforts and can\u2019t wait to see the competition!<\/p>

About Family & Children\u2019s Aid
Helping children and families navigate the challenges of mental health, Family & Children\u2019s Aid (FCA) provides high quality, innovative and responsive programs focused on emotional and behavioral well being of children in our community. From severe psychiatric trauma to developmental disorder FCA\u2019s highly trained clinical team can meet the needs of all who seek help. Our therapeutic techniques help children who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect heal so they can choose their own futures rather than allowing their experiences and illnesses to dictate their futures for them. For more information about Family & Children\u2019s Aid, please visit fcaweb.org.
Event Info:
September 9th 2016 at 7:00PM
An evening of elegance, fun, and dancing to support local charities.
Includes:<\/p>