Video by John Moore and David Lenk for the DCPA NewsCenter.

Community feels the rhythm of the night raising $250,000 for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s education programs.

By John Moore
Senior Arts Journalist

The 8th annual Dancing with the Denver Stars raised about $250,000 on Aug. 19 to support arts-education programs at Denver’s internationally renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, founded by honorary DCPA Trustee Cleo Parker Robinson, provides dance and movement education in schools using the power of dance to enrich the lives of children across Colorado.

Dancing with the Denver Stars pairs notable members of Denver’s arts, municipal and business communities with Robinson’s dancers, all culminating in a gala performance at the Denver Marriott City Center.

This year one of the featured pairs was Denver Center for the Performing Arts President and CEO Janice Sinden and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s Cedric D. Hall.

“It is so important to support arts and culture in our community, and Cleo is a legend,” said Sinden. “Having the opportunity to support her and all of the dancers and our youth as they learn about the importance of dance in their lives? How lucky am I to be here?”

DCPA Director of Education Allison Watrous was on hand to cheer Sinden on, and afterward praised Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for offering arts-education programs that closely align with the mission of DCPA Education. Robinson’s programs serve 43 schools and nearly 20,000 children in metro Denver.

“Arts education matters because it teaches the whole child,” Watrous said. “Cleo Parker Robinson encourages her students to to be confident and fabulous.”

The evening included a special appearance from Dianne Reeves, a graduate of Denver’s George Washington High School who won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

In the video above, we hear from Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and First Lady Mary Louise Lee, and see highlights from Sinden and Hall’s routine, set to DeBarge’s 1980s hit “Rhythm of the Night.” (The three are pictured above right.)

Hancock, who accepted the same challenge from Robinson and himself danced in a previous Dancing with the Denver Stars fundraiser, had some teasing pre-show advice for Sinden, who served as his Chief of Staff for five years before joining the Denver Center.

“You should be absolutely, bonafide terrified,” Hancock told Sinden. “This is nerve-wracking.” Afterward, Hancock said Sinden danced with heart and passion. “She was perfect,” he said.

Hall said his partner’s greatest assets were her bubbly personality – and her pink dress. Sinden went for full-pink ballerina, complete with pink bloomers and shoes dyed to match. She credited the DCPA Theatre Company costuming department for helping the pair with their outfits from DCPA’s wardrobe inventory. There are more photos in the gallery below.

The gala raised $50,000 more than the company’s initial goal. Former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers led a live-auction segment that significantly boosted donations. Actor-comedian Shedrick Garrett (also known as Shed G) served as master of ceremonies.

Dancing with the Denver Stars: Full photo gallery

Our full gallery of photos from the 2017 ‘Dancing with the Denver Stars.’ To see more, click the forward arrow on the image above. All photos by John Moore for the DCPA NewsCenter.
 

Dancing with the Denver Stars: 2017 Featured Dancers

Jonathan Adelman
AVP, Strategic Resource and Business Planning, Xcel Energy
Dancing with Bria Tyner

John Bolger
Managing Director, Aon Corporation
Dancing with Jessica Horton

Ivan Burwell
CEO, Street Source
Dancing with Ralaya (Rae) Goshea

Celia Dietrich Wattles
Founder & Principal, Dietrich & Company LLC
Dancing with Edgar Page

Ken Greene
Chief Operating Officer, Denver International Airport
Dancing with Chloe-Grant Abel

Evan Dreyer
Deputy Chief of Staff, Denver Mayor’s Office
Dancing with Alexis Amos

Scott Gilmore
Deputy Executive Director, Denver Parks and Recreation
Dancing with Theresa Berger

Bruce Johnson
Partner, Polsinelli Law Firm
Dancing with YooJung Hahm

Dr. Johnny Johnson
Doctor, Western OBGYN
Dancing with Amelia Dietz

Britt Moreno
CBS4 Morning News Anchor
Dancing with Antonio (Tony) De’Berry

Huy Pham
President/CEO, Innovative Retail Group, LLC
Dancing with Chloe-Grant Abel

Marcia Romero
Communications Specialist, CoBiz Financial
Dancing with Davry Ratcliffe

Janice Sinden
President/CEO, DCPA
Dancing with Cedric D. Hall

More video:

Here’s a highlight reel from Cleo Parker Robinson Dance that shows more of the festivities from the 2017 ‘Dancing with the Denver Stars.’