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Dancing With the Starz raises $500K for charities
This year’s gala strikes gold, financially and spiritually but without a successor, the charitable-giving contest could be over
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The final grand total of money raised was placed under lock and key by Orion Bank’s Keith Dameron, until he was called to the ballroom’s stage by Dancing With the Starz founder Judy Perez on Saturday, at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort.
2007 DANCING WITH THE STARZ
- Video: 2007 Dancing With the Starz finale
- Videos: Watch the seven dancers perform at the event
- Audio Slideshow: Listen and view a slideshow from the finale
- Photos: See photos from the 2007 Dancing With the Starz finale
- Get complete coverage of the 2007 Dancing With the Starz
- Read more stories about Dancing with the Starz
- Get coverage from the 2006 Dancing with the Starz event
- See the slideshow from 2006 Dancing with the Starz
- Watch the video from 2006 Dancing with the Starz
- Dancing with the Starz videos
- Dancing with the Starz photos
“Envelope please,” emcee Greg Rosen said, before announcing the half-a-million dollar grand total of money raised by this year’s seven Starz.
But before the groundbreaking announcement, and the finishing ceremonies, dance performances were given by all of the charitable-giving competition’s contestants.
The show began with a routine performed by last year’s Starz: Father Pat Boyhan, Sandy Franchino, Kira Krumm, Arturo Perez, Rick Popoff and Rhoda Rad.
A roast of sorts of each dancer included jokes, like the naming of Popoff as Marco’s version of George Hamilton and Arturo Perez as the newest member of the Gypsy Kings.
Last year’s inaugural team of Starz had only six weeks to raise as much money for their charities, with the event having culminated at San Marco Catholic Church.
And although this year’s trademark limousine entrances were not as notable, it was only because the staging of the 2007 Dancing With the Starz’ grand finale was held at the bustling Marriott Resort.
And, instead of six weeks, this year’s seven Starz had almost seven months to compete for the chance to be named as the star who raised the most money for their charity.
Photo Gallery
2007 Dancing With the Starz finale
The 2007 Dancing With the Starz raised $500,000 for eight charities.
The extra time proved to be worth it, after the amount raised was more than tripled with the half a million dollars going to Santo Gentile’s San Marco Catholic Church and Saint Vincent DePaul, Howard Jordan’s Upon A Star Foundation Inc., Betty Newman’s Art League of Marco Island, Youth Haven Inc.’s Maria Elena Pujol, Darlene Schulze’s H. Lee Moffitt Center, Tara Trevethan’s Hospice of Naples and Marco Island and Craig Woodward’s Marco Island Historical Society.
Although Woodward was honored as the contest’s winner, everyone was a winner on this occasion, Perez said.
“Just as important as the fundraising is the forward thinking of our Island,” Perez said about what the competition has done for the community.
Perez announced that Marco’s version of Dancing With the Starz had been an inspiration to several. The unique concept of incorporating the ABC-TV’s dance contest and turning it into a charitable-giving contest has been imitated, Perez said, and used as a model for many others around the country.
And not only was $500,000 raised for good causes, Jordan commemorated the contest by establishing a brand new charity, built especially for Marco Islanders, from the ground up. After gathering his founding board of Dream Catchers, his team went on to create some annual celebrations of their own to benefit some of Marco Island’s most deserving families, such as their Talk Derby To Me party for the Kentucky Derby at Guy Harvey’s, the Deal or No Deal contest at the Olde Marco Inn and So You Think You Can Sing? at Nacho Mama’s.
Besides the fundraising landmarks, the evening was invigorated by several stunning dance performances, by both the Modern Steps Dance Studio’s professionals and the amateur Starz.
Modern Steps owners Jim and Tammy Clemens, Perez said, gave a Hollywood-esque atmosphere to the evening with their professional and talented team of dancers.
Dancing With the Starz Maria Elena Pujol took the stage first with professional Chris Yapaolo.
After Perez applauded Pujol for her most passionate pursuit for Youth Haven, Pujol gave a heartfelt speech about her summer’s efforts. While she was performing on stage and throughout the summer, Pujol said, she was motivated by her daughter, Jennifer, who passed away five years ago.
“I don’t like to ask for money, but God bless me for people being so generous from every walk of life,” Pujol said. “I’m dedicating this day to my daughter, Jennifer, because Jennifer had a dream of becoming a star one day. And now she’ll always be a star ... “
The next competitor to take the stage was Santo Gentile for Marco Island’s catholic organizations. Gentile performed to a foot-stomping beat by Michael Jackson with professional dancer Maryasha Izmaylova.
Of his summer’s efforts, Gentile said the hardest part was finding the time to practice in between his career and the fundraising. Luckily, Izmaylova said, Gentile was a fast learner.
“It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it in the end,” Gentile said.
Gentile was followed by Betty Newman and Max Maleshko for the Art League of Marco Island. The artist made it clear why she said dancing was one of her favorite activities. The dance floor was her canvas, and her steps to She’s A Lady won her the night’s first standing ovation.
Dancing with Maleshko, Newman said, was fabulous: “It’s like floating, flying.”
After the crowd was warmed up by Newman and Maleshko, Craig Woodward and Molly Cook shook the crowd with a dance that included a jump and a dizzying lift.
“I’ve had so much fun with this man, watching him grow as a dancer,” Cook said of the attorney’s new dance talent.
Woodward’s performance made it clear he’d worked just as hard to put on a good dance show as he did to raise money.
Winning the contest, he said, was all thanks to his wife, Bonnie Woodward, who was relentless in her pursuit to raise as much money as she could for the Historical Society’s ultimate pursuit to build a museum for Marco Island.
After the crowd settled from Woodward’s performance, they grew just as stunned by Darlene Schulze’s dance with Modern Steps co-owner Jim Clemens. Schulze showed a jaw-dropping amount of flexibility by finishing her performance off with a full split. And just as Woodward said he owed his successes to his wife, Schulze said, her fundraising credits ought to be passed to her husband, Herman Schulze, and his undying patience.
“It just shows how many people love him,” Schulze said.
“At first we were going to ask Herman, but then we asked Darlene because we realized she was the one who could bring in the big bucks,” Perez countered. And Schulze obliged, answering the praise with a near nose-touching kick.
Schulze’s fundraising efforts were inspired by her survival of breast cancer and the treatment of it she had received at H. Lee Moffitt Center: “I just fell in love with the facility and its staff. ... I had a great time; well, as good as a time as you can have with breast cancer.”
The next performer was perhaps more nervous than anyone, his cohorts admitted.
“Howard Jordan doesn’t get butterflies, he gets pterodactyls,” Greg West, who emceed at many of Jordan’s fundraisers, said.
Howard Jordan, who danced for Upon A Star, said his only saving grace with the dance portion of the contest was his ability to listen.
“When Tammy says turn right, I turn right. When Tammy says turn left, I turn left,” Jordan said.
In the end, his ability to take direction could be measured by the crowd’s response — an on-pouring of roses hit the stage floor when he took a bow.
After the stage was cleared, Tara Trevethan, who had previous experience in jazz, tap and modern dancing, took the floor with Max Maleshko in a foot-stomping fast dance for Hospice of Naples. Trevethan’s fundraising cause was near and dear to her heart, she said. She chose Hospice for its help with her father’s end-of-life care when he passed away a little over three years ago.
Upon thanking her supporters, Trevethan admitted, she was at first reluctant to participate in the contest.
“Judy, honestly, when you called, I wanted to say a big ‘No.’ But you can’t say no to Judy,” she said. “And although it took some hard work, it was so worth it.”
In the end, the crowd of over 400 people had their own chance for some fancy footwork and fun on the dance floor, shortly after the grand finale and Perez’ announcement of the total money raised.
While half a million dollars raised was a landmark for Marco Island, Judy Perez also announced a personal landmark. The $500,000 grand total was a special gift for her, as well, because Saturday marked her 50th birthday.
And after thanking her many supporters, Perez asked for one final donation through a live auction for a party thrown by the Perez’, and a dinner cooked by her husband, Arturo of Arturo’s Italian Ristorante.
Then Jordan joked, “Will any one give more money to my foundation if I take the microphone away from Judy?”
This prompted a final answer for the donation by Bill Young, an already-generous donor to Upon A Star.
The only dampers of the evening were an accident with a table that might have caused two of the dancers who had performed in the show to be injured, and a statement from Perez that left open the possibility that this year’s contest could be the last. After saying she would be passing the torch, Perez said, she hoped that others would name themselves as her successors.
“I’m retreating. It’s time to pass the torch. ... I have achieved more than I dreamt. ... So now it’s time to step back. ... I’m passing on the torch ... of real, true dedication to the cause to ... someone else so they can feel the pride of accomplishment ... ,” Judy Perez said at the close of the ceremony.
A successor has yet to volunteer for the honor of acting as fearless leader to Dancing With the Starz 2008.
Comments
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you are two useless bodies who waste space and use up valuable oxygen on this earth.
it was a great event which raised half a million dollars for charity. what were you two malcontents doing last night? chugging down beers?
your opinions are neither needed nor necessary.
#1 Posted by patton1 on August 12, 2007 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maria Elena was "MUCHO CALIENTE." All the dancers were great but the only casualty of the night was the self-appreciating Judy Perez who should have NEVER spoke into the microphone. In her mind she singlehandedly rasied all the money herself. Then she forced the audience to sing her happy birthday and give her a standing ovation. The night was spectacular until Perez began her self-praise speech which lasted 30 minutes. Someone said they would rather have a root canal than listen to her any longer, that sums up the evening!
#2 Posted by Leroy on August 13, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judy is a nice creative person and despite her long winded "I am great" speech she does deserve credit for creating the event which has benefited so many worthy charities like Cancer, Luekemia, Youth Haven and many others. She should never mix alcohol and a microphone in the future. Cut her a break though; she is a wonderful person.
#3 Posted by Flowerpower on August 13, 2007 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about Steve Stefanides, (Mr. Christmas) run the next dancing gala......
#4 Posted by jockey on August 13, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the event...it was great up until Judy took the stage. I paid $125 and I wanted to dance and have a good time, not listen to Judy's self praise. Sorry to insult anyone, but I do not agree with people using charities to get attention...that's all it was. It should have been a night for the charities, not for Judy.
Did anyone ever stop and think to praise Modern Steps? they volunteered at least 15 hours per dancer. Yes, they VOLUNTEERED!!!! There would be no show without them.
Then by the time the winner was announced, people had already left...those that were still there stopped listening, and those that NEVER drink started doing shots during Judy's self praise just to relieve the pain!!!! Judy got over 30 minutes of self praise...Craig deserved the glory, not Judy....all the dancers deserved the praise. Yes, it was a great idea to come up with the idea, Judy...but remember you should give without recognition (ask Fr. Pat about that verse).
I hope it's Judy's "last dance" , but not the event..it was a top of the line performance ruined by the ending with rude and obnoxious comments by Judy...even when you got into your limo you were rude...shame on you!
I think a public apology is in order...
#5 Posted by marcoresident on August 13, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
marcoresident, I couln't agree more. I was also at the event and couldn't believe how obnoxious she was. It was shameful; one need not praise themselves for a good deed, let others do it for you. Maria Elena and the MC left the stage while Howard Jordan tried to get the mic out of her hands. She could have bowed out gracefully but she let her ego get the better of her. Jockey may have a point, Stef would be a great successor but I think the Island needs a one year break from this event; it's left a bad taste in a lot of peoples minds.
#6 Posted by Calusa on August 13, 2007 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stef would have been able to get the mic away from her....no doubt in my mind.
I do think we've had enough of this game though.
Are the "books" made public?
With that amount of money involved, it would be nice to make sure it all went to the right place.
#7 Posted by jockey on August 13, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was also there on that night and I must say I was in shock the entire night. At first I was in shock of the performances of the dancers and then more so in the work these people have done for their charities. While I personally do not consider an art gallery or a museum a "charity", I do respect and applaud what these people have accomplished.
The second half of the night is the part that really left me amazed. I am fairly new to Marco Island and do not know many of the people involved with this event. I saw a wonderful fundraiser that I was really becoming interested in being apart of next year, then Judy Perez snatched the microphone from Gary's hand. That would be just the first of MANY rude and ignorant acts by Judy. She would not let the contestants talk but for a few seconds, would not let the emcee do his job as an emcee, and was constantly rude to the audience which had just gave "her" fundraiser $125 to attend this event. The tipping point for myself though, was after receiving a special acknowledgement of her birthday, Judy DEMANDED that everyone stand up and sing happy birthday to her. Also, I doubt that anyone cares that she is from Brooklyn. I have organized several fundraisers in my time and know very well, that you do not have success with out the help of a team. Hopefully the next person leading this fundraiser is more about the charities than themself.
#8 Posted by jre_88 on August 13, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey jockey: Get a life.
#9 Posted by patton1 on August 13, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let us please not get wrapped up in the negative! I also attended this event and think it was such a wonderful night. I was blown away by the show put on by the dancers. We are so lucky to have such local “stars” and the energy in the room on Saturday night was electric! The room itself made one feel like royalty. The amount of work that goes into an event like that is incredible and the hours spent by the dancers in practicing was tremendous. I, for one, really was pumped up by the show and how much money ($500,000 is no joke being raised in the Summer on Marco) for local charities and organizations. It was a worthwhile event and I am glad I went. I agree that the ending took the attention away from Craig, Howard, Marie Elaine and the other dancers - it should have been their night. But we don’t want to now, two days later, keep the focus on the negatives when there was so much positive that happened for our Island! I don’t know if the Art League or the Historical Society museum fund qualifies as “charities” but frankly I don’t care - if they want to go out there and bust their butts to raise money for good causes on the Island I won’t quibble about definitions! “WAY TO GO”is my reply - I am looking forward to the DVD of the event. I do agree that the Dance Studio put in many hours of training and free time of their staff to make this a great event - I hope Islanders will support them and appreciate what they did for us, not only that night but for months in advance, they are a joy to watch.
#10 Posted by Southwestgirl on August 13, 2007 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI-Both the Art League and Historical Society are charities under the tax code..it's public information on the irs website...
I agree on not focusing on the negative...all did an amazing job and the good outweighs the bad...
$500,000 in the middle of summer is something to be excited about!
#11 Posted by marcoresident on August 13, 2007 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think anybody is at all trying to bring down the good in all of this. We are just commenting on one person's behavior. I completely agree that these people did a GREAT job!
And also under the tax code you are a non-profit organization. I think most people believe the definition of charity is an organization that helps someone in need. Once again, i'm not taking anything away from those organizations.
#12 Posted by jre_88 on August 13, 2007 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are any of these much needed charities going to help the embattled Marco Man?
#13 Posted by barfieldfly on August 13, 2007 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was a little sad about the events of the evening, people did pay alot of money to be there. The dancers were terrific. Isn't it funny that some people don't stand up for what they believe in because they own a business and don't want to offend anyone and then end up offending everyone over nothing. kind of ironic
#14 Posted by buster123 on August 13, 2007 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there too. I was in the show he he. Just to change the subject a bit...I really was singing in the opening of the show. I may not have a great voice, but I don't lipsync.
Anyhow, a lot of people put great effort and time into the show. However you feel about the evening, one way or the other, do know that the stars were ASKED to help out. They didn't choose themselves for all of the extra time and work that was ahead of them. They did a tremendous job both dancing and raising funds for the charities of their choice. It takes a lot of guts to get up on stage in front of hundreds, let alone ask friends and aquaintances for money. I applaud all involved for their contributions.
Next year may be too soon for another dancing with the starz event, but if it's all done for helping out those that need it, maybe it's not. Anyhow, whether it's 2008 or 2009 or even later, Modern Steps will be there.
I enjoyed the preparation for the event, but most of all I enjoyed all of the interesting and giving people I met for having been involved. To me, the event was worth it and the experience priceless.
#15 Posted by Birdynumnums on August 13, 2007 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can all focus on the negative if you choose to but Judy Perez gave a lot of her time and money to make this a great event. Without her efforts we would not have rasied $500k for one event! Kudos to Judy Perez!
#16 Posted by Bada_Bing on August 14, 2007 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoo Rah Bada Bing! Well said... To those who don't want to donate, don't. To those don't who want to attend, don't. But, if you don't, zip your lips and do not take success away for those who have earned a great deal of money on the behalf of charity. Obviously you haven't done anything appreciative for someone other than yourselves lately except to criticize others. Therefore, I repeat: Zip It.
#17 Posted by reticentstorm on August 14, 2007 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said KayakDeb
#18 Posted by buster123 on August 14, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ENOUGH...DANCING WITH THE STARS...JEEZ...WHO CARES ABOUT THESE WANNABES
#19 Posted by van on August 17, 2007 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
enough of the starzzzzzz...and judy...and stef and all the rest...bye....judy needs to sell pork chops...and count her $$$...moss needs to go.
#20 Posted by van on August 17, 2007 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
$500,000 is something to be excited about. Congratulations to all the dancers and their hard work and commitment. Imagine how much more money could have been made without Judy (show stealer) Perez? $500,000 off season is not unreasonable on Marco. The people that were turned off by her out of control behavior at all of the events surely kept attendance down. I know that I personally make it a point not to attend anything she is involved with, up to and including dining at her restaraunt. She is a disgrace.
#21 Posted by Mercedes on August 27, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave it to the members of this blog community to find a negative spin on a wonderful evening.
$500,000!!!!!
Whether you agree with the charities chosen or Judy's remarks, that is a staggering figure for little-old Marco Island.
For the record, if you think you can do better, the article said a successor has still yet to volunteer. Throw your name in the hat.
#22 Posted by IHeartMarcoIsland on October 10, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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