Canton Dancer to Compete in Fred Astaire Studios' 'Dancing With Our Heroes' Sept. 13

The Fred Astaire Studios of New England are joining forces for a memorable evening. The “Dancing with Our Heroes” gala will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The fundraiser includes dinner, a silent auction, a professionally choreographed show and the “Dancing with Our Heroes” dance competition. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Friends of Fisher House Connecticut for the construction of a Fisher House on the grounds of the West Haven VA. The fundraising goal is $500,000.

The “Dancing with Our Heroes” gala will feature a ballroom and Latin dance competition with members of “Military Heroes” who have been nominated by their friends, family and colleagues. Military men and women will be partnered with a professional dance instructor that they have been training with, free of charge, thanks to Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Winners will be selected by audience votes and a panel of celebrity judges.

Eva Barckmann, Director and Manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Canton will be paired with Gabe Botero of the CT Army National Guard. He served in the 1-169th Aviation Regiment (GSAB) as an Aviation Operations Specialist, and deployed to Kuwait from 2009 to 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eva is originally from Vienna, Austria, and started ballroom dancing at the age of 17. She runs the Canton studio with her husband Erik. Together they have won many awards and have placed in the Top 20 in the World Championships.

Read about heroes and vote by clicking here. The cost of a vote is a $1 donation to the Fisher House. You may vote as many times as you wish. The hero with the most votes will be crowned the “People’s Favorite.”

For more information about this event, click here.

Photo: Dancing With Our Heroes/Fred Astaire Studios