WGN’s Skip Parker To Headline Orland Township’s Dancing With The Senior Stars

Comedian Mike Toomey, known to many as his WGN news and sports personality Skip Parker, will provide the laughs at the Orland Township Dancing with the Senior Stars Scholarship fundraiser dinner on Oct. 25 at Georgios Banquets in Orland Hills.

Toomey has been performing in comedy clubs since 1982 and has appeared with such headliners as George Carlin, Wayne Newton, Crosby, Still and Nash and Reba McIntyre. He has also been featured on HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, MTV’s Half Hour Comedy Hour and A&E’s Comedy on the Road.

“We are excited to welcome Mike Toomey, as well as all of our talented musicians and judges,” said Paul O’Grady, president of the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation and township supervisor. “Mike is a household name in the local comedy field and his presence will add to the spectacular evening we have planned for our seniors.”

The dance competition will feature 10 couples who were selected at tryouts earlier this week.  Joining them with be O’Grady and his wife. All of the couples will perform a variety of dances including polka, swing, jitterbug, foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha-cha, rumba and freestyle.

Professional dancers Mark and Susan O’Brien, and Dee Ulrich, a line dance instructor and leader of the Touch of Country dance group, will lend their services as judges for the competition.

Non-competitors also will have the opportunity to vote on the performances. They also will have their own time to dance while the scores are tabulated.

The winning couple will be awarded a mirror ball trophy and prizes will also be awarded to the second and third place winners. 

The fundraiser is open to all ages and runs from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Georgios, 8800 W. 159^th St. Tickets are $25. All proceeds go toward the 2013 Orland Township Scholarship Foundation program.

For information, call 708-403-4222 or visit Orland Township Dancing with the Senior Stars.