Mark your calendars now for what will likely be the hottest Friday night of the year next February in Sudbury.
The event is the annual Magical Night of Dancing with Easter Seals Stars at the Caruso Club on Feb. 28, 2025, said a news release from the charity organization.
The evening will include a cocktail hour; guests will then be treated to a delicious Italian dinner; incredible performances by Dance Evolution; a silent auction; and then the dance competition.
Easter Seals said this will be a full house event at the Caruso Club for the 14th annual Dancing with Easter Seals Stars – “A Magical Night” presented by Nickel City Ninjas in Sudbury.
The 2025 dance roster for Sudbury has been revealed and includes the following:
- Josh Sarazin, Remax Crown Realty & Jersey McMahon;
- Dr. Shawn Rossi, Absolute Health Rehabilitation & Co-Pros Anne Salter & Bob Leduc;
- Pamela Potvin, Principal at Lo Ellen High School & Jacob Sintic;
- Vijay Lyer, Snolab & Dawn Condon;
- Ricky Gervais, Talk of the Town Hair Salon & Skylar Slywchuk;
- Genevieve Dumont, Hockey Mom and Volunteer & Gaby Onadja;
- Julie Nicholls, Innova Wealth Management & Russell Fernandes;
- Steven Fuller, Fuller Industrial & Melissa Spencer;
- Amanda Denis, EXP Realty/ Sudbury Real Estate Board & Vanessa Suazo; and
- Tomas Covarrubias & Aria Xiong.
Easter Seals said it welcomes returning well-known Sudbury co-hosts Amanda Zurkowski and Marc Despatie. The Easter Seals Stars are local celebrities and businesspeople who have been paired with professional dancers from various studios across the Big Nickel, said the news release.
Votes for the best dancing will be accepted online and at the event. Awards will be given to the top three performances, an audience-voted People’s Choice award and Top Fundraiser award.
Easter Seals said it is hoping to surpass 2023 fundraising total which was more than $165,000 in support of Easter Seals for Kids, said the release.
MJ Pappin, Community Development Officer for Easter Seals Ontario in Sudbury, said the event was a hit on social media last year as the Stars shared their preparations online. She said she expects it will also be popular this year.
"People can appreciate the hard work, dedication and bravery it takes to perform in front of a sold-out crowd. Bringing awareness and raising funds changes the lives of so many children granting them access to essential mobility equipment, services, programs, and summer camp opportunities that help children and youth with physical disabilities reach their full potential and make the most of their abilities," said Pappin.
"It’s wonderful to see the community come together to support Easter Seals and enjoy an amazing night of dance entertainment," she added.
Similar events will be taking place in cities across Ontario.