Dance floor to shine with state's 'Stars'

ABC's hit show "Dancing With The Stars" wrapped for the season, but local celebrities are only now dusting off their dancing shoes in the quest for a mirror-ball trophy.

On Sunday, news anchors will come out from behind their desks, disc jockeys will go off the air and two athletes - including an Olympian pentathlete and a Denver Nuggets cheerleader - will abandon their chosen sports during the "Dancing With Colorado's Stars Showcase and Competition" at the City Auditorium.

"It is one thing to see them on television or hear them on the radio," says event organizer James Stowell of USA Dance-Pikes Peak, who is hosting the fundraiser in honor of Springs Rescue Mission and the soldiers and families of Fort Carson. "Now you will get to see them bring out their glamorous, romantic sides or their fun, flirty and sassy sides. It will be an afternoon of spectacular entertainment."

"I think it's going to be fascinating and hilarious at the same time," says Heather Skold of television station KRDO. Her partner, Spencer Harger of N'Vision studios, reminds her to relax as they step jauntily around the floor, practicing their routine of East Coast swing and samba. When he grabs her hands for a spin, followed by a slide between his legs, however, her smile beams with pure enjoyment.

"I have a renewed appreciation for what they do on the show. You don't know all what goes into that until you walk in their shoes," she says, lifting her foot to illustrate the unique, somewhat challenging shape of the high-heeled dance pump.

In addition to the shoes, the wardrobe - slinkier and more glamorous than her usual newscast ensembles - has taken some getting used to, but it's all the better to showcase the anchor's impressive high kicks.

Any Olympics fan has certainly seen the athletic prowess of celebrity participant and pentathlete Eli Bremer, who's working on a different kind of hoofing than usual.

"It's a very different type of sport, though it is a sport. The ability to run 60 miles a week doesn't necessarily translate to doing a cha-cha."

The tall, well-built Olympian and his partner, Kristal Brandy of N'Vision, are slinky and sensual in matching black costumes as they rehearse their routine of West Coast swing and cha-cha. His strength is certainly an asset during the couple's tricks, where he lifts, swings and slides Brandy across the floor. Brandy reminds him to work those hips, and he laughs, saying, "That's not something you usually do in my sports."

"I am a big ‘Dancing With The Stars' junkie," admits Tammy Oakland of radio station KKPK "The Peak," who has been practicing with professional dancer Eric Mortenson of Best of Ballroom studios for more than three months. The couple have been rehearsing a combination fox trot and cha-cha with a sexy James Bond theme.

"I get to be a Bond girl! I'm totally a tomboy, too," she says. "My body is moving in ways I never knew were possible."

"Colorado Springs has some fabulous dancers and a great dance community," says Stowell, who is thrilled that the TV show has directed more attention to ballroom dancing.

The outpouring of interest was so intense that he's already had local celebrities ask to take part next year.

"Everyone was so excited, that the training started two weeks ahead of schedule in order to make the routines that much better," he says. "The excitement level is high."

The "Dancing With Colorado's Stars" event begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, with performances from local professionals and studios. Then the celebrities and their professional partners take the stage to be scored by four judges.

"When it's an audience, you do certain things that are more dynamic and entertaining, while with a judge vote, you're trying for good technique and trying to show the dance well," pro dancer Mortenson says. "It's going to take a combination of those two to win."

Oakland, however, is more concerned about the competition's end.

"I'm sad already," she says. "I've gotten so used to coming to the studio and rehearsing. It's the highlight of my day. I want to keep going."

"Dancing with Colorado's Stars"

When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Colorado Springs City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger, with floor seating at $15 per person, or $125 for a table of 10. For advance tickets, visit Assemblé Dancewear, 4425 Date St., or call James Stowell at 598-0885. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, with cash or check only.
More details: ppusadance.org