It’s Strictly Ballroom at the Palm Harbor Citrus Festival

Rehearsals for the fourth annual Dancing with the Palm Harbor Stars are well under way and the contestants look set to dazzle audiences at this year’s Citrus  Festival.

The competition begins at 7 pm on March 29, at Harbor Hall where the five local dancers will get the opportunity to win over the judges and the audience during an evening of fine food and dance. The three contestants that receive the most votes will progress to the final which takes place on March 31 on the main stage at the Citrus Festival.

Videos of each dance will be posted on the Palm Harbor Arthur Murray website on March 20, where the public can vote for their favorite performer.

The five local stars come from a variety of backgrounds, from an ER nurse to a firefighter, and their ages range from twenty to over sixty years old. All are Palm Harbor residents and one of the only other things they have in common is that they had no previous ballroom dancing experience. 

Each star was partnered with a different dance professional from the Palm Harbor Arthur Murray Dance Studio and given a unique dance to perform. Rehearsals have been going on for five weeks and the routines are starting to take shape.

Lania Berger, owner of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Palm Harbor, is the event organizer and was delighted with the diversity of the contestants.

“It exhibits that dance is for everyone and can bring joy to anyone,” Berger said.

Maureen White, an ER nurse, was partnered with Rio Marino and they will be dancing the west coast swing.

“I’ve loved to dance since I was a little girl,” said White. “I’ve recently moved to Palm Harbor and I’m excited to meet people and get involved in the community.”

Another competitor is a local firefighter and paramedic, Scott Arntz who was born and raised in Palm Harbor. He was nominated to enter the competition by his boss.

“When the chief says do it, you do it,” smiled Arntz.

Arntz will be dancing the Rumba with Candice Cunningham. “There’s lots of hip shaking in the Rumba so the hardest part was loosening up.”

The youngest competitor in the competition is Daniel Fallahee who just turned twenty years of age and will be dancing the Cha-Cha Hip Hop with Francis Cuprill-Comas.

“He’s been wonderful. Lots of energy and quick at picking up the choreography,” said Cuprill Comas of her dance partner, “We’re going to win.”

The event has been organised to help raise money for local causes with the funds going to the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Old Palm Harbor Main Street. Those wishing to attend the evening event should contact the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce at (727) 784-4287