It was a surprise win for Bega Valley stars Melanie Warren and Mia Maze at Club Sapphire on Friday night, November 2.
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Stars of Bega Valley Dance for Cancer was a huge night of entertainment and fundraising which exceeded well over the target of $20,000.
“The figure we have so far is $26,500 with more generous donations still coming in, the stars have done an amazing job,” Caitlyn Zalewski of Cancer Council NSW said.
Eden duo Melanie Warren and Mia Maze with dance instructor Rachel Murphy of Canberra took out the People’s Choice Award and Judge’s Award for the evening.
“We weren’t expecting the win, it was a massive surprise,” Ms Maze said.
“To be honest we thought Frankie J Holden and Michelle Pettigrove were technically amazing so we were very surprised we got the judges award and then people’s choice as well.”
The people’s choice award was determined by audience’s votes to their favourite dancers through the form of cash donations.
“It was amazing the support people gave to the dancers even if they weren’t there for them,” Ms Maze said.
Lisa Van Der Hout was a solo standout performance on the night and the first to set fire to the dance floor, her flamenco dance turned heads and impressed judges.
“She did such an incredible performance, it was so professional and spellbinding,” Jacqui Smith said.
Ms Smith took part in the judging panel with Greg Whitby and Janita Fernando. They each scored according to difficulty, execution, audience engagement and costumes.
“The calibre of performances and dancers was amazing, it made our job very difficult because the standard was so high,” Ms Smith said.
“It was a really positive and enjoyable night. They all put absolutely everything into their performances, it was a pleasure to be a part of it.
Rob Zelley’s performance had the crowd erupt in giggles and cheer, whilst Frankie J Holden and Michelle Pettigrove’s self-choreographed dance had the audience sit back in awe as they swept across the dance floor.
“The night was so fun and entertaining with such a diversity of performers, you were transported into a different world with each dance,” Ms Smith said.
Another award on the evening was presented to Wendy McDonald for fundraising the highest amount, an amazing $4,639. And, the best costume award went to Debra Summers.
To see the photos of the evening taken by Eden photographers Toni Ward and Peter Whiter of DoubleTake Photographics visit Stars of Bega Valley Dance for Cancer Facebook page.
