‘Dancing With Stars’ Gala

To Benefit Symphony Orchestra

BRIDGEPORT — “Dancing with the GBS Stars!” a festive springtime gala to benefit the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra, will take place at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport on Saturday, May 3.

The event will commence with a cocktail reception at 6:30 pm, to be followed at 7:30 pm by an elegant three-course dinner with fine wines, a silent and live auction, and dancing to DJ selections.

The highlight of the evening will be a Latin dance performance, presented by Robert Beslove of RLB Associates LLC, featuring professional Russian dancers Dmitri and Svetlana Ostashkin, twice the Latin Champions of Eastern Europe and grand finalists for the World’s Showdance Championship held in Shanghai, China. Visiting from Moscow, the Ostashkins have won eight major United State Latin Dance titles and are featured performers in the current Ballroom Dancesport Extravaganza show “We Are The Champions” on tour in North America.

There will also be a mini ballroom dance competition, featuring GBS Board member Andrea Azarm and her husband Bahman, and GBS Treasurer Michael Keden and his wife Kristen, and GBS Principal Percussionist Anthony DeQuattro and his wife, GBS Principal Horn Susan Spaulding. For maximum participation, each dinner table will receive a formal score sheet, and the guests will be able to discuss and vote as a table for a favorite dance couple. Trophies will be awarded.

According to GBS Benefit Committee co-chairs Barbara Rogo and Deborah Elstein Lemen, this year’s auction will include some very special items that will generate excitement and generosity among guests. These include the honor of guest conducting the orchestra at an upcoming concert, a luncheon on a 34-foot sailboat, gift certificates from Mitchells of Westport and J. Albert Johnson Jewelers of Fairfield, and a pair of tickets to the Andre Rieu concert at the Arena at Harbor Yard on May 23. Reverend Charles Allen, S.J., of Fairfield University, will return to conduct the live auction.

All proceeds will benefit the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, a not-for-profit organization, now celebrating its 62nd season, whose mission is to celebrate, educate, inspire, and provide excellence in musical programming in the Greater Bridgeport community.

Benefit Tickets start at $125 per person. The Bridgeport Holiday Inn will provide validated parking. Seating is limited, and black tie is optional.

For information and reservations call the GBS office at 203-576-0263.