Dancing with the TBS Stars 2018

The debut season of “Dancing with the TBS Stars” named its first Judges’ Choice Winner and Fan Favorite Winner on Saturday, June 23, 2018. Four TBS members were paired with a professional dancer from Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Hamden or Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Orange. Over a 7 week period/8 or more lessons, each TBS member learned a dance routine that was performed in front of congregants, friends and family.

Brian Lakin and his professional dancer, Anastasia Barhatova (FADS Hamden) danced the Tango to “Jewish Tango”; Lauren Piscitelle and her professional dancer, Nenad Pavlovic (FADS Orange) danced the Foxtrot to Jason Mraz’s “Have It All”, Sharon Rosenblatt and her partner Stefan Zuber (FADS Orange) danced Swing to Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl”, and Sy Kaplan and his professional dancer, Anastasia Barhatova, danced the Rumba to “Besame Mucho.”

Judges were Doron Ben-Atar (History Professor and Playwright), Christine Furtak (Tap Dance Instructor at Hamden Adult Education), and Deborah Wilkenfeld (Highly-Respected Dancer). Judges gave an overall performance score, plus additional points for entertainment, technique, costume, time & chemistry of the couple, and level of choreography. Friends, family and audience members voted ($1 per vote) for their favorite TBS dancer for Fan Favorite.

Lauren and her professional dancer, Nenad, received Judges’ Choice Winner with 55 points out of 60. Brian and his professional dancer, Anastasia received the most Fan Favorite votes with 656.

The evening also featured music from Boppers Events and line dancing lead by Martin Ramsauer (owner of FADS Orange).

This fundraiser could not have happened without the vision of Marni and Stuart Katz. Special thanks to: Zachary Katz, Jessica Malkin, Melissa Hammer and Michael Epstein, Sonia Epstein, Lauren Piscitelle, Hinda Piscitelle, Jeff Sansone (wine donation/friend of Hinda Piscitelle), Brian & Michelle Lakin, Eta & Sy Kaplan, Sharon Rosenblatt, Shira and Greg Rosenblatt, Sherri Sosensky and Peri Sosensky. Thank you to Steven Sosensky for being the emcee for the evening.

We appreciate our partnership with:

Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Hamden, Steven Powell, Owner, 1869 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT, 203-288-5252, Hamden@fredastaire.com

Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Orange, Martin Ramsauer & Chris Sabourin, Owners, 547B Boston Post Road, Orange, CT, 203-795-5200, orange@fredastaire.com