How to Work the Stripes off a Detroit Tiger at FADS Bloomfield Hills!

Benefit for Autism Non-profit Draws Star-studded Sports Crowd

Teachers at FADS Bloomfield Hills have been working the stripes off a group of Detroit Tigers to get them in shape for “Dancing With the All-Stars,” a huge benefit for Jack's Place for Autism, a non-profit based in Southfield, MI. Despite Miguel Cabrera coming up lame, the show went on, as it always must, at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit last night. 

Left to right: Lada Reschikova, Ramon Santiago, Miguel Cabrera and Talia Barrington.
Lada and Talia are pro dancers at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Photo taken July 10, 2013

Baseball stars including Ramon Santiago and Andy Dirks whirled across the stage with their pro-partners, competing with each other to earn the most donations from the crowd. The pair that raised the most money for Jack's Place, Lada Reschikova and Ramon Santiago, were crowned ‘The Ultimate Dancing Detroit All-Stars.’

This is the second year of this event and of the Bloomfield Hills studio’s participation. Evan Mountain, studio owner and Lada’s husband, estimates that $250,000 was raised last night to benefit Jack’s Place, an increase of $100,000 over the previous show.  The show sold out at 450 tickets ($300 each). “A fun time to be a studio owner and a Detroit Tigers fan!” Evan said. “And it was great to see the players just relax.” And those players also included audience members from the Detroit Red Wings hockey and Detroit Lions football teams.

Unfortunately, Miguel Cabrera’s injury prevented him from dancing at the last minute. Fortunately, though, Bloomfield Hills teacher Jordan Cowan was there to take his place (this probably wouldn’t have worked so well in a baseball game!), so Miguel walked on the stage, handed Jordan his jersey, and left Jordan and his regular pro-partner, Talia Barrington (the pair won American Closed Novice at FAWC) to their own devices. Jordan was thrilled with Miguel’s jersey, as well the ‘go get ‘em, Tiger’ pat he gave Jordan’s behind! Since he couldn’t dance, Miguel pulled out his wallet instead and donated generously to the cause through his purchase of $4,000 Dancing With The Stars tickets and a few other pricey items!

The benefit was emceed by Bernie Smilovitz, a local sports announcer, and Torii Hunter, right fielder for Detroit. Special performances were given by Jonathan Roberts & Chelsie Hightower of DWTS fame.  Here’s last night’s competition line up and the link to read more:

Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers Third Baseman

Ana Sanchez - Wife of Anibal Sanchez - Detroit Tigers Pitcher

Andy Dirks - Detroit Tigers Outfielder

Erica May - Fiancé of Max Scherzer - Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher

Shannon Hogan - Fox Sports Detroit - Reporter and Host

Kelly Hall - Girlfriend of Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions Quarterback

Ramon Santiago - Detroit Tigers Second Baseman

Mary Elizabeth Broyles - Wife of Ryan Broyles - Detroit Lions Wide Receiver

Diana Larionov - Daughter of Igor Larionov - Detroit Red Wings 3x Stanley Cup Champion

Read the Detroit Press article here.

What Oz Should Have Told the Cowardly Lion

There's No Place Like Fred Astaire Dance Studios, There's No Place Like . . . 

The Confidence to Compete 

Confidence. Everyone wants it; too many of us still seek it. Millions of self-help books promise it by the bucket load. It's a particularly desirable personal quality to have when facing a major life-change, like 16-year-old Riley Scott who's about to start college far from home. But, despite her academic success, Riley never found such personal strength in books. Instead, she gained it by ballroom dancing.

Riley is a Troy, Michigan native who is about to transition to her new college life in upstate New York. Like many young people in her position, she found it all a bit scary. And, like other academic students, Riley has a long-standing love affair with the printed word. But when it comes to developing real confidence, "dump the self-help books," she'd advise. And don't bother with a wizard. Instead, go to a Fred Astaire Dance Studio and take some dance lessons!

A recent article in the Bloomfield Patch summarizes Riley's experience at Evan Mountain's Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Through ballroom dance, and the personalized guidance of her teacher, Mike Fonseca, Riley traded in her old, more-timid life for one filled with courage. (Oh - and the photos here are of the real Riley Scott. The Patch's video shows Fonseca teaching Barbara Benzos to dance because before the article was finished, Riley spread her new, confident wings and flew to greater heights!)

Great job, Mike, and all the best to our good friend Riley! Here's Boosting Confidence Through Dance at Fred Astaire.' 

Lessons Make It Possible

"I'm more comfortable being myself," says Riley.