Press Room
Metropolitan Ballroom Teams up with Center City YMCAs
Twelve prominent community leaders have been chosen by the Y to compete in a ballroom dance competition modeled after the popular TV series, “Dancing with the Stars.” Each star has been paired with our talented instructors. They must perfect their routine and perform live on November 12, 2011 at an elegant black tie reception. All proceeds will benefit the Community Support Campaign of the Center City YMCAs.
Here is a promo of the event, courtesy of Focul Point Productions:
More press:
Clement Joly and Susan Wolff of the YMCA featured on WBTV
Chamber SVP Captures Dancing for a Cause Crown
By: Natalie Dick
I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun watching grown people dance as I did last Friday night. I must admit, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when my husband and I were invited to attend the YMCA’s inaugural charity event “Dancing for a Cause.”
Charlotte Chamber, Dancing for a Cause, YMCA Greater Charlotte, Natalie English, Charlotte, non-profit
Natalie English, the chamber’s senior
vice president of public policy,
takes the crown in the YMCA
of Greater Charlotte’s
“Dancing for a Cause.”
Pat Rodgers, 2011 chamber chair,
also made a good showing
on the dance floor.
Held at the Ritz Carlton Uptown, the black tie affair pitted 12 movers and shakers from Charlotte’s business community against each other on the dance floor. My initial skepticism was if the contestants would all look like the television version of “Dancing with the Stars,” decked out in skimpy costumes and most young enough to be my kids.
Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to see a diverse mix of folks who included:
Capt. Mark Basnight, Charlotte Fire Department
Pamela Davies, Queens University of Charlotte
Steele Dewey, Aston Properties
Natalie English, Charlotte Chamber Public Policy
Pat Rodgers, Rodgers Builders and Outgoing Chamber Chair
Robyn Hamilton, DNC Host Committee
Chuck Hood, Hood Hargett
Dr. James Howell, Myers Park United Methodist Church
Michael Marsicano, Foundation of the Carolinas
Jim Noble, Business Owner and Restaurateur
Maureen O’Boyle, WBTV News 3
Kevin Pitts, Charlotte Business Journal
Each contestant was paired with a professional partner from the Metropolitan Ballroom of Charlotte. They spent several weeks learning and then refining their routines before competing for the grand prize in front of the sell out crowd.
From the samba to the waltz to the tango, there was a little bit of something for everyone – and all in good taste. I heard more than one person (including myself) say they couldn’t imagine performing in front of hundreds of people – many who were colleagues. That’s all the more reason I was blown away by their willingness to take part. All of the money raised from the event is going to fund children/teen programs for Center City Ys.
At the end of the evening, it was the chamber’s Natalie English who was presented the top prize. Anyone that knows her knows she has a fierce competitive streak. What most of us didn’t realize was that she could boogie so darn good!
It was an evening that brings a smile to my face every time I reflect upon it. With all we have to deal with as grown ups in the world today, it was refreshing to let loose.. even if it was for just a few hours on a Saturday night.
Charlotte Democratic Convention Watch
Local leaders will be dancing for a cause Nov. 12
Robyn Hamilton, director of business relations for the convention host committee, is among a dozen community leaders dancing for charity in the “YMCA Ballroom Battle” on Nov. 12.
Modeled after “Dancing with the Stars,” the local event raises money for community-support campaigns at four Y’s in and near uptown. They’ll strut their stuff at the black-tie event being held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Other dancers are Capt. Mark Basnight, public information officer with the Charlotte Fire Department; Pamela Davies, president of Queens University of Charlotte; Steele Dewey, chairman, Aston Properties; Natalie English, senior vice president of public policy, Charlotte Chamber; Chuck Hood, president & owner, Hood Hargett; Dr. James Howell, senior pastor, Myers Park United Methodist Church; Michael Marsicano, president, Foundation of the Carolinas; Jim Noble, restaurateur; Maureen O’Boyle, WBTV News 3; Kevin Pitts, publisher, Charlotte Business Journal, and Pat Rodgers, president, Rodgers Builders.
Tickets are $125 each, $1,250 for a table of ten. For info: contact Y member services at 704-716-6100.
– Celeste Smith
Clement Joly teaches “Davyee” Sutton of Charlotte Today that dancing is as easy as 1-2-3
Dancer with Down Syndrome Inspires on the Dance Floor | WCNC.com Charlotte
Metropolitan Ballroom Brings Latin Excitement to October in Charlotte, NC
The Metropolitan Ballroom, which strongly supports cultural events in Charlotte, is pleased to be an integral part of this year’s Latin American Festival, as well as promote a world-famous guitarist’s upcoming show.
Charlotte, NC (Vocus) October 6, 2010
The Metropolitan Ballroom, which strongly supports cultural events in Charlotte, is pleased to be an integral part of this year’s Latin American Festival, as well as promote a world-famous guitarist’s upcoming show.
Owners Jim Manly, Monette Manly, and Clement Joly are passionate about bringing top notch cultural entertainment to the city of Charlotte. “These two exciting events in October are great examples of that commitment,” proclaims Manly. Additionally, the Metropolitan Ballroom’s staff is quite multicultural itself, as are many of their students. Besides the many international dances taught daily, foreign languages likely to be heard at the studio on any given day include French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, and German.
In cooperation with the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Metropolitan Ballroom’s professional dance staff has been chosen to perform the finale presentation at the 20th anniversary Latin American Festival. Clement Joly, Tatiana Kazakova, Sergiy Samchynskyy, Yuliya Besarab, Nickolai Keanov, and Barbie Peker will perform expertly choreographed rumbas, sambas, salsas, paso dobles and cha-chas. This presentation will showcase the flamenco music of Roni Benise, who is coming to the Blumenthal Center in Charlotte as part of his national tour. Their performances will provide breathtaking excitement to end the festival.
The event takes place on Sunday, October 10 at Symphony Park (South Park Mall) from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. The performances will take place at the Carnival stage of the festival. The festival features authentic cuisine, music, and an artisan marketplace in addition to the performances by the Metropolitan Ballroom dancers. Tickets to the Latin American Festival are $5 for adults ($3 for children) and can be purchased at the festival.
Additionally, the Metropolitan Ballroom is proud to be involved in showcasing and promoting the versatile guitar styling of Roni Benise, who is coming to Charlotte as part of his national tour. Playing a style described as “nouveau Spanish flamenco,” Benise won an Emmy award for his 2007 production “Nights of Fire!” His current tour reunites the cast of that award-winning production, and it combines music, passion and dance into one unforgettable performance.
Benise will be performing at the Knight Theater in Charlotte on October 31 at 7 p.m., and tickets are available from $39.50 at http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/.
About The Metropolitan Ballroom
The Metropolitan Ballroom located in Charlotte, North Carolina, features over 3,000 square feet of gleaming ballroom floor, a contemporary bar and lounge, a state of the art sound system and a private dance studio. A staff of professional instructors teaches international and American-style ballroom dances, including cha-cha, jive, tango, waltz, shag, and salsa. With private lessons for singles or couples, group classes, dance parties, and special occasion lessons, the Metropolitan Ballroom offers something for everyone.
