Valley celebrities will dance at Black and White Gala

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Six Valley celebrities will don their dancing shoes as they compete for the chance to win $1,000 for the charity of their choice at the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber and Down Syndrome Association of the Valley’s annual Black and White Gala on Oct. 17, in partnership with Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

Danielle Cantrell, vice president retail/retail banking manager for Cortland Banks; Chris Jaskiewicz, president and founder of Hopestar, LLC; Claudia Kovach, vice president of City Machine Technologies Inc.; Troy Loney, co-owner of Youngstown Phantoms Hockey; Michelle Nicks, news reporter for WFMJ-TV 21; and Phill Reda, owner of Magic Tree Pub & Eatery, will be paired with professional dancers courtesy of Fred Astaire Dance Studio for a “Dancing With the Stars”-style competition.

The winner, judged by audience members and a panel of professional judges, will claim the Mirror Ball Trophy and the $1,000 donation to his or her charity.

October marks the 30th anniversary of “Back to the Future,” the classic sci-fi comedy starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Music from the series will be featured throughout the evening.

The formal evening begins at 5 p.m. with a reception at Stambaugh Auditorium. Cocktails follow at 5:30 with dinner, dancing and festivities beginning at 6. Catullo’s Kitchen will serve an autumn-themed sit down dinner, and professional disc jockeys D and R Audio will provide music for dancing. There also will be a live auction, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley.

Those attending are asked to wear black or white cocktail or formal attire.

Reservations are required by Tuesday. Tickets are $75. For $125, guests can be event patrons, receiving preferred seating in the auditorium during the dancing competition, access to the VIP reception and program recognition. Tables of eight may be purchased with a $1,000 table sponsorship, which includes preferred seating in the auditorium during the dancing competition, access to the VIP reception and program recognition.

To make a reservation, call 330-744-2131, ext. 12 or online at www.regionalchamber.com.

For information, contact April Stanislaw at 330-744-2131, ext. 21 or email april@regionalchamber.com.