I’m standing on a stage in a ‘frilly’ shirt, 1 ½” heels, heavy black eyeliner and a black lightning bolt with gold glitter painted on my face and GIANT Big Hair. 800 people are in the audience just in front of me. No, this is not another dream where I’m David Bowie performing a Ziggy Stardust routine, but there have been some Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes and my inner-Gaga oozed out.
“Hello, hello, baby;
You called, I can’t hear a thing.
I have got no service
in the club, you see, see…
Wha-Wha-What did you say?
Oh, you’re breaking up on me…
Sorry, I cannot hear you,
I’m kinda busy.
K-kinda busy
K-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I’m kinda busy.”
It all began when Karen Kinsler asked me to participate in “this new Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser” – a dance competition called Dancing Stars of Central Georgia. I’m not a dancer. But it’s for Alzheimer’s … how could I say no? “Sure, I’ll do it.” She got me right after the Macon Film Festival ended – I was in a state of delirium when I said yes to taking this task on. I needed to rest & recover from the 7th annual film festival … not go to dance class.
Dancing Stars of Central Georgia kicked off with a televised Cast Party where the 10 “stars” met their professional dance partners. Meteorologist Jeff Cox introduced the cast live on NewsCentral‘s 7pm newscast.
I was paired with dance professional Colby Marshall and our first mission was to select a dance. Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, Disco, Samba, Rumba…it’s all Greek to me. I’m a Non-Dancer and don’t know the difference in any of the dances so I let Colby make the decision. “Let’s Samba, it’s a sexy party dance and crowd-pleaser,” she says. I’m in. Next to select a song for the dance. Ok, I am a music person so I take on the task of going through my 80s alternative music catalogue in search for a good Samba tune. I’m leaning towards The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary” when Colby emails me her preferred song list which is short and heavy on Lady Gaga songs. I’ll admit it, I’m not that familiar with Gaga but my better judgement kicked in, Colby’s the choreographer, let her pick the song. Her selection: “Telephone” by Lady Gaga & Beyonce – I have never heard it before in my life. Which may be a good thing because I’m about to hear it 600 hundred times over the next ten weeks.
Two weeks into the dance practices I decide we’re gonna win this thing. That mirror ball trophy is ours! It’s more about he competition that the dance at this point. ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” becomes my homework and I watch with critical eyes how the guys are moving, what they are doing with their arms, etc. and start to annoy Colby with my input on what I feel we should be doing. This is a competition and I am a publicist…so I do what I know to do: record our practices and annoy people by posting our rehearsal videos on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. (we also have a goal to raise $10,000 in ‘votes’ so I’m thinking seeing my progress will help garner some cash.)
During the 10-week training period Colby got married & pregnant – nausea ensued (hers, not mine), resulting in some canceled dance practices – nausea ensued (mine, not hers.)
At the end of the 10-weeks I’ve actually learned how to dance and have really enjoyed doing so. Something happened to me during this process. It’s become more that just wanting to win the competition. I learned that I really like dancing. I’m actually looking forward to my weekly dance class. I’m leaving each class drenched with sweat and a little better dancer each week. Here is our dance the first time we did it from start to finish:
Aside from learning our dance routine, we had to organize costumes. The Samba requires Latin dance shoes which have to be ordered online. Their arrival prompts the only real freak out I have during the process…these shoes have 1 ½” heels. 
I put them on and can barely walk in them – much less dance. Colby instructs me to put all my weight on the balls of my feet…taking this to heart, I have learned how to walk & dance in high heels. I’m sure this will come in handy at some point again in my life. Shelley Kuhen, costume designer at Theatre Macon, created my Samba shirt. Black with red trim …Low cut & frills included to match Colby’s red fringe dress.
And black “jazz pants’ from Bobo’s Dance Supply finishes off my ensemble.
It’s D-Day … Dance Day. The event at the Macon City Auditorium is sold out. All the dancers, our assistants & makeup people are in a lower ballroom getting ready.
I get called back to the makeup chair. The process involved a curling iron and lots of hair teasing to make my straight-as-a-board hair into a really Big afro. What?!! On to the heavy black eye makeup and the black lightning bolt (with gold glitter painted on top of it) down one side of my face. I’m a Superfreak Bowie-Gaga-Terrell mash-up, but hell, it’s show business … let’s go for it.
“Just dance — it’s gonna be okay.” ― Lady Gaga
The show starts. Colby & I are at the end of the lineup – the grand finale. Here it is:
I was very proud to be apart of this event. Dancing Stars of Central Georgia sold out its first year and raised $207,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
It’s been a few weeks since the event and I’m really missing my weekly dance practices. I’ve talked to Colby a few times since then and we are talking about getting together and dancing … just for fun. 
“Stop callin’, Stop callin’, I don’t want to think anymore! I left my hand and heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin’, Stop callin’, I don’t want to talk anymore!
I left my head and my heart on the dance floor.” – Lady Gaga, ‘Telephone’
FUTURE LOVE PARADISE
June 1st is First Friday. “Children In Bloom” photography exhibit & sale at The SoChi Gallery. 6-9p. Free.
Filmmakers: The Macon Film Festival is now taking submissions for the 2013 film festival. Submit through WithoutABox.
True Blood Season 5 premieres on June 5th. HBO.
“Dancing with the Stars” Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillet. Chastain Park, Wednesday, June 13th.
Get Out & SoChilize!
So-Chi-lize [soh-chee-lies] verb, -ized, -izing. –verb (used with object)
1. The art of mixing and mingling in The SoChi District.
Tweet- worthy quote:
“If you don’t have any shadows you’re not in the light”
― Lady Gaga
YOUR COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!