If you have never seen an episode of Dancing with the Stars, the premise is simple: a celebrity, with little or no dance experience, is paired with a professional dancer.  Each week, the couples learn a new dance style and then perform in front of a live audience.  The show is a thrilling spectacle, displaying different types of dance choreographed to popular songs. 

Project Safe, a local non-profit that provides services for victims of domestic abuse, saw an opportunity to produce a Dancing with the Stars-esque show that could raise thousands and thousands of dollars to benefit the organization.  After raising over $95,000 in 2009, the 2010 Dancing with the Athens Stars is bound to surpass that number.

This year, the ballroom dance competition features local stars including chef Hugh Acheson (Five & Ten), Clarke County Sheriff Ira Edwards and our very own CEO Jim Vanden Berg.  Jim and his partner Michelle Collin have been practicing for several months to prepare for the big show on Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Classic Center. 

Jim makes the perfect candidate for the dancing competition.  He has no previous dance experience.  

“I am not a professional dancer,” Jim emphatically explained, ”so I am going to have as much fun as I can.”  While he admitted it was a struggle at first, he knew he was in good hands with his partner Michelle Collin.

“Michelle said ‘one day it will become clear,” Jim recalled.  Michelle, a dance instructor at the Studio Dance Academy, found a willing student in Jim.

“He catches on pretty well,” Michelle explained, “the more he does it, the more he gets it.” 

While there were many challenges that faced Jim and Michelle, one challenge stuck out the most.  Jim is 6′5 and Michelle is 5′4.  The height difference presented some problems when the couple first started their training.  They tried three or four styles from salsa to rumba before settling on the East Coast Swing.  Even then, some modifications needed to be made.

“We had to change a few things in the swing dance to fit the height,” Michelle explained.  Jim and Michelle will perform to the song ”Footloose.”  Their dance will include “a little bit of fun from the movie.”

As inspiration for their upcoming performance, the real Dancing with the Stars provided a bit of guidance for the eager dancers. 

“It’s amazing how they take dancers like me and turn it into something,” Jim related.  As for their favorite DWTS performers, Jim enjoyed following Donnie Osmond while Michelle was inspired by former dancer Julianne Hough.

“She always tried to make it fun.  You see personality added.  That’s part of the reason we went with ‘Footloose,’” Michelle explained.

Jim and Michelle are well on their way to becoming the 2010 People’s Choice Winner.  They are currently in second place in voting.  However, they are ready to walk away with the other trophy, the Judges’ Choice Award, as well.

“They call it a competition.  We have a competitive mindset.  We want to win,” Michelle revealed. 

With only two weeks away from the big show, Jim and Michelle are ready to hit the dance floor and claim the Judges’ Choice Trophy and the People’s Choice Trophy.  Be there to cheer them on and congratulate them on their victory! Tickets are on sale for $15 in The Georgia Club Administration Office and the Pro Shop.  Tickets are also available online at the Classic Center Web site and you can cast your votes for Couple #3 online at Project Safe.

Get ready to cut loose!

This March, The Georgia Club CEO Jim Vanden Berg will be trading the boardroom for the ballroom as he heads to the dance floor for the Third Annual Dancing with the Athens Stars.  An event benefitting Project Safe, Dancing with the Athens Stars will take place at the Classic Center on Sunday, March 21.

Before you place your votes or purchase your tickets, think about where your money is going.  Project Safe is a local 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, prevention education and ongoing supportive services.  In 2009, Project Safe provided 18,587 services to clients in need in the local community.  Those services include a safe shelter, a 24-hour hotline, support groups and emergency financial assistance. 

Jim Vanden Berg and Partner Michelle Collin

A spectacular event, Dancing with the Athens Stars will feature 12 couples made up of well-known Athens’ figures and professional dancers, who will take to the dance floor to show off their preferred style of ballroom dance.  After several months of rehearsals, Jim and his partner Michelle Collin will perform the East Coast Swing.  Two trophies will be awarded at the end of the night, one for the Judges’ Favorite and the other for the couple with the most votes.

The “Dancing with the Stars”-esque show is an exciting event for all Athenians.  The event, which will take place in the heart of Downtown Athens at the Classic Center, is a  major source of funds for Project Safe.  Last year’s event raised $95,000!  With the strengthening support and star power, the 2010 event is bound to surpass that number.

The easiest way you can help is to vote! Show your support for both Jim and Michelle and Project Safe.  One dollar donated equals one vote per couple ($50 = 50 votes.) Votes can be placed at www.Project-Safe.org or can be mailed to Project Safe at P.O. Box 7532 Athens, GA 30604.  Votes will be counted until the last intermission of the show.

Secondly, you can support Project Safe by attending the show on Sunday, March 21 at the Classic Center.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the night of the show.  All ticket sales will go directly to Project Safe.  Tickets will be available for purchase beginning in March.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.ClassicCenter.com or at the Classic Center.

The Dirk Howell Band, one of the area’s most popular groups, makes its debut at The Georgia Club Friday, October 17 (the day before UGA’s Homecoming) for what promises to be an entertaining and energetic evening. The evening kicks off with Happy Hour in the Ballroom starting at 6:00 p.m. The band will be playing favorite Motown tunes from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., while diners enjoy a delicious dinner buffet featuring Molasses & Spice Rubbed Pork Loin and Pecan Crusted Chicken as the entrees. There will be plenty of dancing once dinner is done, so don’t forget your dancing shoes. The price is $30 (plus tax and gratuity) per Member and accompanied guest for reservations received prior to Wednesday, October 15. The price on or after October 15 is $33. The price for the concert only is $10. A cash bar will be available. For reservations, please call the Clubhouse at 770-725-8100.