Media stars step on stage for Susan G. Komen event

Ever dreamed of cheering on a favorite celebrity on “Dancing with the Stars” but don’t want to buy a plane ticket to Los Angeles?

Shreveport-Bossier City is getting its very own event, “Dancing for the Cure.” Beginning at 7 p.m. April 4 at Horseshoe’s Riverdome, television and radio personalities representing different media outlets across the Ark- La-Tex will battle it out for the coveted “Pink Mirror Ball.” Root for a favorite contestant, hit the dance floor too and raise money for NWLA Chapter of Susan G. Komen.

The highlight of the event will of course be the dance competition. Local media personalities Charisse Gibson of KSLA 12, Doug Warner of KSLA 12, Dan Jovic of KTAL 6, Ferrari Foxx of KDKS Hot 102 Jamz, Keristen Holmes of KTBS 3 and Tatum Everett of KTBS 3 will compete with their respective partners in hopes of charming the judges and the crowd and scoring a victory.

Judges for the event include: Priscilla Barnes, a professional dancer; Lori Gore, a former dancer and breast cancer survivor; and Charles Mann, a consultant for University Health System. “X-Factor” contestant Willie Jones and “The Voice” contestant Dez Duron will serve as hosts for the evening.

Supporters do not have to wait until the night of the event itself to voice their support for their favorite contestant. By visiting the Komen Northwest Louisiana website at komennwla.org, supporters can pledge a donation and cast their vote for their favorite celebrity media dancer to win the “Dancing for the Cure” People’s Choice Award. The votes will be tallied and the award announced at the event. Every vote and its accompanying donation will raise even more money for the fight against breast cancer.

“Breast cancer statistics are alarming. If there’s anything I can do to help fight back, I want to do it.”

– Keristen Holmes

All of the contestants have been working hard in preparation for the event. “The preparation has been fun. Vicki’s School of Dance has been tremendous,” Everett said. “They’ve eased us into learning the routine slowly and consistently so we’ll be ready for the competition. I’ve been practicing at the studio once a week for over a month and on my own at home constantly.”

Gibson also appreciated the lessons provided by Vicki’s.

“We started practice in February which was a crazy month for the media, but we prevailed,” Gibson said. “In between public appearances, prepping for Mardi Gras coverage, practicing for ‘Dancing for the Cure’ and still waking up every day at 2 a.m. for my show, I can say that I’m pretty happy that process of this event is over!” Gibson said she has prior dance experience. “I also feel like it came a little easy to me since I used to dance, but also Vicki’s School of Dance has some of the most amazing choreographers,” Gibson said. “They were patient and really worked very hard with us to prepare for the big night. It feels so good, though, to be back in a dance studio learning some new moves.”

While Gibson was grateful for her experience, prior dance skills were definitely not a prerequisite.

“I have very little dance experience.

I took dancing lessons until middle school and then was a cheerleader in junior high, but that’s about it,” Everett said. “I definitely feel like a fish out of water, but that’s what makes this fun. I love to challenge myself, and it’s great to know I’m doing this to help raise awareness for a great cause.”

For some of the stars, dancing was completely new to them. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m so excited to try it out,” Holmes said.

Not only is Gibson a contestant, she is also the chairperson of “Dancing for the Cure.” Gibson said she felt strongly that the area needed a new event to invigorate fundraising for breast cancer research.

“I am a Susan G. Komen board member, and I approached my board about doing an event that would cater to the young professionals of the Shreveport-Bossier area. Unfortunately, when you think of Susan G. Komen, the first and sometimes only thing that comes to mind is the Race for the Cure. Well, race numbers are slowly dwindling nationwide, and I felt there needed to be something to shake it up and to bring more awareness to our cause.”

“Since I am a morning anchor on KSLA News 12 ‘This Morning,’ I decided to ask all of my other media friends, no matter what affiliation, to join me on a worthwhile cause. They responded, and they are kicking butt,” Gibson said.

The cause is indeed what inspired the contestants to step up and step out on the dance floor. “Breast cancer statistics are alarming. If there’s anything I can do to help fight back, I want to do it,” Holmes said. “This opportunity allowed me to help raise not only awareness but funds for such a worthy cause, all while having a lot of fun.”

Everett said she was happy to get onboard with this event. “When I was approached about the opportunity to participate in ‘Dancing for the Cure,’ it was an immediate yes,” Everett said. “What a fantastic and fun way to raise awareness for breast cancer! I’ve had several friends whose mothers have been affected by the disease, and my grandmother passed away from lung cancer, so this cause is dear to my heart.”

Once the competition is over for the contestants, attendees can take over the dance floor so the real party can begin. A band will take the stage, and there will also be food and a cash bar.

“This is also a great opportunity for our chapter to showcase what we do here in Northwest Louisiana,” Gibson said. “We will be showcasing little known facts about our organization, like the fact that 75 percent of our funds stay in the community. There is a big misconception when it comes to Komen.”

Local money funds services like the Pink Ribbon Pop Ups Mobile Mammography bus, which travels to various cities in Northwest Louisiana offering free mammograms and health screenings. “I hope on April 4, ‘Dancing for the Cure’ will help to change the way the community sees our organization and how our organization approaches the community,” Gibson said.

// Want to go?:

Six television and radio personalities representing different media outlets across the Ark-La-Tex will battle it out for the coveted “Pink Mirror Ball.” The event starts at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Riverdome.