MEMORIES OF DFM 2025

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From Vivienne Scott

It is always with eager anticipation that I get ready to head off to Wasaga for ‘Dancin’ For Miracles’. It is that time of the year to catch up with dancing friends from all over Ontario. It is our Line dance reunion. This year there were even more participants than last year (over 200) and the hall was packed for the Friday night dance. Our fearless leader, Valarie Keller, with Cathy Montgomery in tow and their dedicated volunteers, had driven up on the Thursday and worked tirelessly to prepare the hall for us.

The theme this year was Disney and decorations all around the hall reflected that choice. Our dance list was ready (prepared by Cathy M). This is a time consuming job. First reminding dancers to send in their top 5 dances and then sorting them into an order that would allow all levels of dancers to strut their stuff. A tip by the way for next year ….. if you have a favourite dance that you would like to request encourage your friends to learn it! If there are only a handful of dancers on the floor, DJ Dan will understandably move onto the next dance on the list. Thanks also to Dan for keeping the music flowing so we could all keep dancin! PS Tammy Wyatt was unable to stay for a Saturday teach so she taught her fun dance ‘Never Drinkin’ Again’ (with her finger crossed behind her back!) Friday evening.

Saturday morning brought dancers in for Jenny’s energetic zumba session and then the well known trio of Cathy, Dan and Valarie conducted a very serious teach of ‘You Got A Friend In Us’. (Note: Check out the photo!) Followed by our Instructors as follows:

Dan Morrison with his very well received: ‘Problematic’

A new face to the D4M stage, lots of smiles with Yovana Russell’s teach of ‘El Verano’ and her own choreography: ‘Boots & Twirls’

Kate Henry brought us a talented Canadian singer with her own choreography: ‘Good Girl Bad Place’

SPECIAL TEACH: ‘Mucara Walk’ in Memory of Steve Healy (former editor of Linedancer magazine)

Sherry Daniels brought us a new Maddison Glover dance that as usual had an interesting twist but by the end of the teach we’d got it, thanks Sherry! ‘Glass Half Empty’

Another new face, Shelley McLaren, capably taught us her own dance ‘Drink Around’.

Jeff McQuarrie is a well known face now and as always had a good dance to teach, this time one from unknown (over here in Canada) choreographers from Australia and well received by the dancers: ‘Worst Way’

It was terrific seeing Cathy Montgomery on the dance floor again. She has some way to go still after her last knee replacement but she is definitely getting there! ‘Started Stopping Loving You’, her own choreography.

Everyone was delighted to see Kathy K back on the stage and she finished our afternoon of instruction with ‘Wings To Fly’.

The evening brought a huge array of Disney characters to our dance! At one point during the evening they paraded around so all could be admired!! Lots of laughter and smiles as they danced their way around the hall.

There were also two demos. First ‘Just Dance LD Community’ performed an excellent demo of a terrific dance, ‘I Want You’, written by two of their own group, newcomer choreographers to be watched, Rene Duguay & Patrick Lisi.

We were then treated to a terrific line dance routine that won first place in a LD competition in Indiana and we could certainly see why they won. It was Yovana Russell’s group ‘Groovation’. Note: One of their members injured herself during the performance, stepped aside for a while and then gamely joined back in. Get well soon. You can’t keep us line dancers down!

I was unable to be there on the Sunday but I am sure everyone had a great time as usual and it gave the dancers the opportunity to review and practise the dances they learnt on Saturday.

But D4M is more than dancing and instruction, as you will see from the photos there were more prizes to be won than ever both with the penny sale and the raffle. All the ‘newbies’ were called up to the front (and there were many) and they all received a gift from Valarie. She and her sister Carol start collecting gifts immediately they get home from the weekend. Their dedication and commitment is unbelievable and we are the fortunate recipients. I so appreciate the enormous amount of effort and time that Valarie, Cathy, Dan and all the volunteers and instructors put into raising money for such a worthy cause and to ensure that we dancers have a wonderful time. If you agree please do let them know.

Valarie told us that she was being asked to retire, like the rest of us she is not getting any younger and the event is an enormous amount of work. In 3 years time it will be the 25th Anniversary of ‘Dancin’ For Miracles’ and she reckons she will retire then. So everyone ….. make the most of the next 3 years.

Report 2024

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What an amazing weekend we all had at ‘Dancin For Miracle’ 2024. Even more dancers attended this year (over 200) with a large number of newbies whose last comments as they left were ‘This has been wonderful. See you next year!’

All this was thanks to the indomitable Event Director Valarie Keller who seems able to achieve the impossible every year! She is ably supported by Event Coordinators, Cathy Montgomery and Bev Cain. Cathy put together dance lists for the whole weekend which worked perfectly. There was something for everyone on those lists. Dan Morrison was DJ in residence and I reckoned danced every dance! Makes a lot of difference when you have a terrific dancer to follow!

Thank you so much to all four, plus all the volunteers who helped make everything run smoothly including those helping out with the lunches. As always much fun was had with Betty Boops Fantastic Penny Sale, plus a Silent Auction and Raffle. Everyone went home with a gift of some sort and money was raised for a good cause. Dancers brought in a terrific assortment of toys which will delight many children on Christmas Day.

And then there was the dancin’ and meetin’ and greetin’. Dancin’ for Miracles is like a grand reunion of dancers across Ontario and catch-up happened Friday evening interrupted, of course, when a particular dance came on! ‘Sorry, I just got to dance this one’, is the dancers’ refrain! We missed a very dear participant who passed away recently. Michel Cabana participated and helped out at this event for many years. In his honour, Rhonda Nadon taught ‘I’ll be Back’ written by Michel.

Saturday morning started with Jennie getting the dancers going with some zumba. We then had a bit of a warm-up with a motley couple of jockeys who Dan had to keep in line! Thankfully Dan then took over the stage with some more serious business teaching his well received dance ‘Devil’s Kiss’.

Marlene McIntyre was up next with ‘Ain’t No Mountain’ by Karl Harry Winson (UK). It fits the music perfectly and well taught by Marlene.

Newbie to the event, Deanna Tobin, did a terrific job of ‘Miles on It” by Curtis Dooma (Can). Fun easy dance.

Booby Chong reminded us that ‘People Are Crazy’! Written by Gaye Teather (UK), I really enjoyed this dance and remembered smiling at the lyrics of the song when it originally came out.

23 (Twenty Three) by Magali Chabret (FR) was taught by Kim McNeilly. Some tricky parts to this dance including when the song slowed down but Kim brought us all along with her.

Next was up Tammy Wyatt. I (Vivienne) was honoured that Tammy close to teach my latest dance ‘All I Ever Do’. We laugh so much with Tammy teaching but at the same time she makes sure our feet absorb the steps without us even realizing it!

Carolyn Jurek brought an entertaining ‘Country Cat’ with her. We all learned how to meow …. if you are not sure how, Carolyn will teach you for sure!

Kathy K and Cathy M then took to the stage. Kathy K with ‘The Rain is Gone’ by Vane (NL), Verhagen (FR), and Bonnier (FR), to which we both danced AND sung!! Then ‘Life Never Slows Down’ by Natasha Kangas (SWE) which suited the mood of the lively dancers! The two K/Cathys, of course, keep the floor laughing.

After a meal break, back to the hall for more dancin’. The theme this year was Gold Cup at Ascot and boy did the dancers look swell! Amazing hats, colourful jockey outfits, even horses with some pooper scoopers following along behind!! Our regular entertainment ‘The Country Cruisers’ were unable to attend but, never fear, our very own Wasaga Race Horses with their Jockeys were on hand. The Queen happened by to grace the event and dancers were allowed to place bets. I am not too sure if anyone made any money but there was lots of cheering as the horses raced by!

The next morning brought the weary diehards to the Hall at 10 a.m. for quick reviews and more dancin! Lunch and then ‘See You Next Year’!

PHOTOS: https://dancinformiracles.com/report-2024/

Message from Valarie Keller

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Valarie Keller

There are not enough words or ways to say THANK YOU to all of the volunteers that helped out to make DANCIN FOR MIRACLES another successful workshop. We should now call it DANCIN FOR MIRACLES ANNUAL FAMILY REUNION FUN RAISER. There are so many people to thank, Instructors- Jill Baker, Michel Cabana, Kate Henry, Kathy Kaczmarek, Susan Ann MacFarlane, Judy Martin, Cathy Montgomery, Dan Morrison, Lavina Motamedi, Vivienne Scott. Dance Team- Country Cruisers, Volunteer- Ella Turcotte, Bev Cain, Tom Cain, Carol Keller, Bev Robbins, Charlene Flanagan-White, Kelly Hines, Gloria Pividor-Kirchner, Hank Kirchner, Eileen Muracca, Dan Ledlie, Ruurd Van de Ven, Leanne Keller, Matthew Keller, Michel Cabana, Ron Comtois, Susan MacFarlane, Erika Bartlett, Jo-Ann West, Rhonda Nadon, Gisele Mansfield, Linda Grimson, Francoise Brazeau, Gail Wheeler, Valerie Davis, Don Davis, Doris Dubé, Kathy Karipy. My family at home who helped Natalie Natalie Szeman- Woodgate, Jeff Archambault Melissa Turcotte, Alex Haird, BettyJo Theriault, Chuck Keller, Dan Keller, Wendy Keller. Also all the dancers who attended without all of you we would not be able to do this event. A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated for the raffles, auction, penny sale. It takes a lot of people to make our event so successful, again I really appreciate each and everyone one of you. We raised $5000.00 to go to Hospice. Be very proud of your hard work, THANK YOU SO MUCH LOVE YOU ALL,SEE YOU SOME WHERE ON THE DANCE FLOOR.

So Much Fun!

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Another wonderful ‘Dancin’ For Miracles’ is now under our belts!! As usual Valarie Keller and her dedicated team of volunteers did an amazing job. There is so much work involved in organizing, collecting gifts and running this fund-raising event …. it takes almost the whole year to prepare.

Great teachin’ and dancin’ as always. I heard lots of remarks on what a good mix of dances were taught with something for everyone. Dan did a terrific job DJing Friday evening and also during the day on the Saturday. It is always a lift for instructors teaching to have a smiling, encouraging face behind the controls, plus someone to bounce a joke off of!! Lynn Warden took over the controls Saturday evening with everyone delighted to see her.

Friday evening is meet, greet, dance and embarrass the instructors’ night!!! I have seen a video going the rounds so keep an eye open for it!!! Valarie also acknowledges the dancers no longer with us, very sad losses, but a reminder of why this fund-raising is so important.

Aside from dancing there are lots of opportunities to win amazing prizes. There are two raffles, plus the ‘Penny Sale’, the Silent Auction, and tickets for the opportunity to win a prize worth $1200. Amazingly I was the lucky winner! This means my husband (if he’s very good!) and I will have a two night stay at the Niagara Hilton together with wine tasting in Niagara On The Lake, a helicopter ride, comp passes to the Butterfly Conservatory and numerous other attractions. I still can’t really believe it, I am not normally a winner!!! The other two prizes were a patio set, and a $125 gift voucher for Walmart. Every table had prize winners at it.

Plenty of entertainment as well …… it was worth the price of admission to see Valarie and Double Trouble in their bloomers with bonnets to match! And, of course, the Country Cruisers who always delight. The hall was a speakeasy on the Saturday night and the Cruisers sure did it justice!! Lots of fantastic costumes on the dancers as well. The decoration was terrific also. Valarie spends hours checking websites to find just the right decoration for the annual theme and she hit it spot on this year.

This event is a very special one for Ontario dancers and I want to thank Valarie, Rose, their family and all the volunteers who put so much time and effort into it, it is a labour of love. All your efforts are truly appreciated by the dancers. Thanks also to the dancers who attend because as Valarie told them, the event couldn’t go on without them either.

Valarie announced the date for next year: September 7-9, theme “The Toy Box”. So start checking out those second hand stores!!!

 

Note:  $5000 were raised!  Congratulations to all.

*Instructors with Dances Taught.

  • DAN MORRISON: Together Again written by Dan in tribute to Callie Vardy
  • SUSAN MacFARLANE: Nasdravia by Laura & Becky Michaels/Stand Up and Boogie by Danny & Bongy
  • KATE HENRY: Hooked written by Kate
  • VIVIENNE SCOTT: Love Will Win/Ride The Roller Coaster both written by Vivienne
  • JUDY MARTIN: Lonely Drum by Darren Mitchell (hugely popular)/Come Home To Me written by Judy
  • MICHEL CABANA: I’ll Be Back written by Michel. This was Barbara Lumbers’ favourite dance.
  • JILL BAKER: Stillbaai Charleston by Alison Dixon
  • LAVINA MOTAMEDI: Hotel California (Salsa) written by Lavina/Get My Move On by Jonno Liberman
  • CATHY MONTGOMERY: That Love by Will Craig
  • KATHY K.: Tiny Feelings by Sue Hsu

Morning Dance: A Thing About Loving You by Pat Stott & Heather Barton

Thanks to Jennie Johns for her ‘Good Morning Warm Up/Zumba

ABOUT

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Instructors and Volunteers 2018
Instructors & Volunteers 2018

Dancin’ For Miracles is a fund-raising line dance event held close to Wasaga Beach in Ontario, Canada, a beautiful soft sand beach that seems to go on forever.  Quite a few people go up a little earlier so they can walk the beach and have a swim in the balmy waters of Georgian Bay.  There is lots to do in the area, cycling and walking paths, great golf courses, good eating and much more. However, for the Ontario dancers and others who come from further afield, it is ‘Dancin’ For Miracles’ that is the area’s greatest attraction.  It has become a meeting spot; a place to catch up with old friends and meet new, all who share the same love of dance and the huge hall is always packed.

The Event starts on the Friday evening and by the time the dancers arrive the large hall is always colourful and welcoming and Valarie is at the front door waiting to welcome the dancers. This is the time  when dancers know the instructors will be subject to a game created by Valarie’s vivid imagination which will have them in gales of laughter and then it is time to hit the dance floor.  Saturday is a day of workshops. Every year Val invites different Ontario Instructors to teach; she is a great believer in local talent and she has been proven correct again and again.  The instructors always teach an excellent mix of dances.  The classes are often interrupted however by Valarie and her ever tolerant volunteers garbed in weird and wonderful costumes intended to ensure that the paying customers’ stomachs ache with laughter by the time they go home!  Val tells the story of the time one of the instructors had to be carried onto the stage because she had two rubber alligators strapped on her and couldn’t bend her legs!  Valarie will do anything for a laugh, “Good for the soul”, she reckons.  Saturday evening there is always a performance and then we dance our socks off!

Every year there is a theme and Val comes equipped with often outrageous costumes that she has accumulated over the years!

There are lots of opportunities to win prizes.  You can win a Weekend for Two in Niagara Falls; a gift at the Penny Sale that for many years was organized by Val’s Mum, Betty, a Silent Auction — everyone enjoys meandering the length of the tables choosing which prizes they’d like to win.   There is also a raffle with, again, wonderful prizes.   I’m told that there is a separate room in the Keller household that is set aside to hold all these items.  All the prizes are donated; Valarie is a very persuasive individual.   Dancin’ for Miracles is an event at which everyone has a good time while at the same time doing “good”.  A win-win situation.

EVENT DIRECTOR:  VALARIE KELLER