2nd Annual "Dancing With The Stars To Benefit Adam's House"
has been rescheduled to October 15th, 2021.
Check back next year for Tickets!
Join Adam's House for our 2nd Annual Dancing with the Stars—a dazzling evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing! Local community leaders have teamed up with professional dancers to wow our audience with their routines from waltz to hip hop, jazz to salsa, and everything in between. A panel of esteemed judges will critique each routine, with the highest scoring pair taking home the Judges' Choice Award. And don't forget, it's not all up to the judges! Guests at the event, and supporters who can't make it, have an opportunity to cast their votes* for their favorite dancers and routines for the pair to be crowned with the People's Choice Award!
Cocktail Attire Requested
Interested in promoting your brand? We're looking for event sponsors!
We have a variety of opportunities for your business to partner up with Adam's House in support of Dancing with the Stars! From premiere event sponsors to in-kind, there's something for everyone! Click the button below to find out more about our sponsorship levels and to sign-up. If you would like to discuss further opportunities, please contact Arlene at development@adamshousect.org or call (203) 513-2808.
Show your support with a program book ad!
Whether you're a business looking to promote your brand and support our mission, or a family, friend, or co-worker of one of our dancers, you can take out an ad in our program book to show your support!
Meet Your Emcee
Jay Raven is co-host of the number one rated Anna & Raven Show heard mornings on Star 99.9 WEZN FM & 97.5 WALK FM Long Island. Celebrating his 25th anniversary in radio, Raven enjoys supporting animal causes in name of his two rescue puppies, creating memorable celebrations for clients of his entertainment company Total Events, and doing the old guy two step next to his wife Alicia, an accomplished dancer.
Jay Raven
"Dancing with The Stars To Benefit Adam's House"
2020 Cast
Kurt Miller and Lisa Morse
Kurt Miller is the First Selectman for the Town of Seymour, Kurt has done a 5K in high heels, and has beaten David Morgan every year in the Cinco De Mayo taco eating contest to benefit TEAM, Inc. Kurt says he has "zero dance and music talent" and only "slow dances at weddings."
Lisa is back for her second year from United Rhythms Dance and Entertainment Studio. Lisa is busy as a single mom of (2) boys, Tyler age 7 and Brantley age 5. She is a Worship leader and has danced all types from ballroom to hip-hop to lyrical.
Dawn Nicefaro and Jason Thigpen
Dawn Nicefaro is our first “Helping Hearts Heal” alumni competitor! Dawn’s favorite season is summer because this is where she can bond with her tribe of family at the Jersey Shore beaches. She is living her dream job as a Pre-K teacher. “I teach children through playing with them and having fun all day!” The most amazing place she has ever been is Las Vegas because “it made me feel alive- it lit up every fiber of my being!”
Jason Thigpen has been training at the Assembly of Martial Arts Academy since he was 12 years old. A martial arts enthusiast, Jason has trained in several disciplines which include Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira and Escrima, and has learned everything he can about the arts so he can share his knowledge with his students. With 18 years of experience in 2016, Jason was inducted into the USA MMA Hall of Fame.
Carlos Arrindell and Hannah Martin
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Carlos Arrindell is part owner of Luscious and Co, an award winning luxury salon in Shelton. He “married the woman of his dreams” and was a chess champion at the age of 8 (WOW!). He also wants to be a pro-fisherman. Carlos is an active member of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Hannah Martin is proudly representing Danz Magic. Hannah has been dancing for 18 years and choreographing for 3 years, dancing all styles, specializing in tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Hannah is in her third year of college, and will start a two year program in the fall at the American Institute of Healthcare and Technology for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She has a love for teaching kids, in education and dance, and is currently a teacher at Pumpkin Preschool of Shelton, working with children ages 6 weeks to 3 years. Hannah has earned many awards over her 18 years of dance, including 2017 Miss True Talent, and 2019 National Miss Triple Threat.
Paul Tavaras and Allyson Bettini
Paul Tavaras is a lifelong Stratford Resident, a retired Hamden Firefighter/ EMT, and a member of the Stratford Town Council and the Stratford Rotary, among many other organizations. He is also a lifelong dancer. In fact, he met his wife of 4 years, Stacie, dancing! He runs (2) businesses, has a daughter who lives in Boston and is a world traveler.
Allyson started dancing at Age 3 and began assisting teaching by 12 in the areas of tap, ballet and jazz. She danced through High School and College and was president of her dance team at Western CT State University. She joined Fed Astaire Hamden in 2003, teaching and competing with her students in ballroom and Latin styles of dance and is certified through Bronze Level of Competing. Allyson loves to bring the art and love of dance to students of all ages, and is excited to share her experiences and passion with Paul during this wonderful event. Allyson works full time as a Compliance Specialist for the CT State Judicial Branch and is a proud mom to her 10 year old daughter.
Charles Stango and Diane Lydiksen
Charles M. Stango is the Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney at the Milford State’s Attorney's Office. By his own admission, he is “The worst dancer in my family.” However, he does love performing arts because he has seen Saturday Night Fever at least 15 times and does a great deal of community theater. Chuck lives in Middlebury with his wife, Melissa, and two daughter, Kathleen, 21, and Lauren, 19. His family is very amused that he is polishing his dancing shoes to participate in this year's Dancing with the Stars!
Diane Lydiksen is the owner of Studio 34 Dance and Performing Arts in Seymour. Diane has danced professionally in Boston and New York, is a proud mom to two boys, and enjoys spending time at the family’s “Happy Place” in the Berkshires.
Monica Oris and Stefan Zuber
Monica Oris is the Director of Population Health at Griffin Hospital. Throughout her career, Monica has worked at UCONN Health and St. Mary’s Hospitals, Assisted Livings and Hartford Healthcare, as well as home hospice and home health where her passion of community nursing flourished. She came to Griffin Health 2 years ago as Director of Community Outreach and Parish Nursing and recently took the role of Director of Population Health at Griffin. She feels like Griffin Health is a very special place to work and she hopes to bring her passion of community nursing to the wonderful Valley area as a representative of Griffin Health. Monica feels that a place like Adam’s House would have been very meaningful resource to help her three children grieve when they lost three grandparents over a four-year period. In her free time, she enjoys reading, roller blading, Sunday walks with friends and spending time with her three children and husband Rob.
Stefan Zuber has been a ballroom dancer for 19 years and a teacher for the past 11 years. He is a National and International finalist in 10 dances, and several time Champion of regional competitions of 10 dance styles in Serbia.He has been with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Orange for 5 years, and was last years winner of both the Judges Choice and People’s Choice Awards DWTS to Benefit Adam’s House.
*$10 per vote. All proceeds to benefit Adam's House and our "Helping Hearts Heal" program.