New York, Let's Dance!

Artist, poet and playwright Samuel Becket once said, it’s the natural order to “Dance first. Think later.”

Indeed, that’s the joy of dancing -- letting the mind and body be completely free.

Even more freeing is dancing for a charitable cause. Next month, November 18, the "Stars of New York Dance" returns to downtown Brooklyn for its second year to do just that-- bring the community together to dance for a cause.

The 2011 Stars of New York Dance is inspired by Dancing with the Stars, using the excitement and interactiveness of a dance competition with New York’s own “stars of the community.” Stars of New York Dance raises scholarship funds for children from low-income communities in New York City to aid in increasing their access to dance and the arts.

Errol Louis, political anchor and host of “Inside City Hall” on NY 1 News, will host and Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine and founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement (NCMM) will be honored, at this year’s second annual dance-off, taking place at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, 7:00pm.

Whether you're an avid fan of the television show sensation (Dancing with the Stars), or whether you're simply a rhythm junkie, you can surely enjoy yourself at this lively fundraising event, which combines the sounds of great music, the thrill of competition and the excitement of seeing your local community leaders shimmy, shake and boogie for a cause.

If you missed , you missed perhaps one of the most uniquely entertaining evenings in Brooklyn. City Councilwoman Tish James, Restoration Corporation CEO Colvin Grannum, the Reverend Al Sharpton, NYC Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio and more experienced the time of their lives cutting a serious rug on the dance floor. (See Videos)

At the event, six couples will compete to win a $5,000 Access Award grand prize, which they will donate to a local children’s arts organization of their choice. And before the actual competition, the chosen “dancing stars” of New York undergo weeks of rigorous dance training with a professional dance partner to prepare a three-minute routine.

This year’s chosen “dancing stars” are:

• Rev. Lawrence E. Aker, III, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, who will dance with Dr. Melissa Vaughan of Professional Center for the Arts Inc.
• Sheila Elaine Anderson, On-Air Host of WBGO 88.3FM and Author, who is partnered with Jerome Warren of Balance Dance Theater
• Community Leader Teresa “Teri” Coaxum will dance with Dallas McMurray of Mark Morris Dance Group
• Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., State Committeeman/District Leader of the 56th Assembly District, is partnered with Karen Thornton-Daniels of Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Youth Arts Academy
• Laurie A. Cumbo, Founder & Executive Director of the MoCADA Museum in Fort Greene, is partnered with Jamel Gaines of Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn
• Rev. Frederick C. Ennette, Pastor of Spirituality & Discipleship of Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Crown Heights, will dance with Zakiya Harris of Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater

Dancing may be a freeing activity, but the event is not free. Tickets for Stars of New York Dance are $50; VIP tickets which include VIP seating and the cocktail reception are $100. Purchase tickets online at www.kumbletheater.org. Checks can also be made payable to The Stars of New York Dance and mailed to P.O. Box 170511, Times Plaza Station, Brooklyn, NY, 11217.

Stay tuned to Bed-Stuy Patch in the coming weeks, as we will bring you rehearsal footage of this year's stars.