2nd Annual CRIS Radio Dining & Dancing in the Dark

DINE IN THE DARK AND
DANCE WITH LOCAL STARS

Tickets on sale for CRIS Radio’s unique gala

CRIS Radio’s 2nd Annual Dining & Dancing in the Dark is not your average fundraiser. The nonprofit promises a one-of-the-kind experience at the historic Hartford Club in Hartford on Saturday, April 21 when attendees will dine in the dark as a way to highlight the challenges of daily
living without sight or with a disability.

Following dinner, the lights will come up when local
celebrities compete in CRIS Radio’s own version of Dancing with the Stars, with the dancers paired with professional ballroom dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Studio of New Britain, which donated the lessons. The celebrities include: Kara Sundlun, WFSB anchor and co-host of Better Connecticut; Bob Maxon, NBC 30; Floyd Green, vice-president of Aetna; and Morgan Amarone, Miss Connecticut.

Although not part of the competition, Two CRIS Radio
volunteers, Diane Duhaime and Rosie Morlene, both blind, will perform with professional Arthur Murray dancers. The two women produce live, one-hour news programs each week at CRIS. When Arthur Murray offered to provide the two women ballroom dance lessons for the event, they enthusiastically welcomed the opportunity.

While ballroom dancing is challenging for those wit sight,
it is far more difficult when a student is unable to observe a demonstration of how and where to move. Duhaime and Morlene began lessons with Arthur Murray professional ballroom dancers in late fall, and have depended on audio
descriptions to guide them.

The dance competition and dance performances by Duhaime and Morlene will be audio-described by event emcee Scot Haney, WFSB meteorologist and co-host of Better Connecticut. The winner of the dance competition will be selected by those attending the event and a panel of three judges – Duby McDowell, the granddaughter of Arthur Murray and president of McDowell Communications; David Rosinski, former Blackpool World Theatrical Ballroom
Champion; and Mary Jones, WDRC host of the Mary Jones Show.

Open dancing to the music of Eight to the Bar will follow
the dance competition.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal is honorary chair of the
event.

Tickets cost $75 each and include private parking in the
Hartford Club’s underground garage, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course dinner, entertainment and  dancing. For
information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, e-mail info@crisradio.org or telephone 860-527-8000.