3rd Annual “Dancing Stars of Atlanta”
The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter is excited to announce its panel of celebrity judges for “Dancing Stars of Atlanta” on June 2. WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News anchor John Bachman, Atlanta TV Journalist Kimberly Kennedy and WXIA 11Alive News anchor Brenda Wood will offer up scores to 10 local celebrities who will compete and fundraise in a one-night gala dance competition. Mirroring the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars, this event will take place on June 2, 2012 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
John Bachman joined Monica Pearson as co-anchor for Channel 2 Action News at 4 p.m. when the station launched the additional hour of early evening news on May 26, 2011. Bachman came to WSB-TV Channel 2 in June, 2007, working as a reporter as well as the anchor for the weekend early evening newscasts.
Kimberley Kennedy is an Emmy award-winning journalist who’s spent the majority of her career in the Atlanta market as a news reporter, anchor, writer, and producer. Kennedy is currently the co-host and producer of the new Atlanta talk show, The Chat Room, airing on WXIA-TV. Prior to that she hosted, produced, and wrote the weekly syndicated news and entertainment show Hot Topics, produced at WSB-TV.
Brenda Wood anchors 11Alive News at 6 & 11 as well as her signature show, “The Daily 11 at 7″. Wood joined 11Alive News (WXIA is the NBC affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia) in September of 1997 and is today one of Atlanta’s most well-known and trusted local news anchors.
The event is co-chaired by Joanne Truffelman, founder and chairman of TG Madison and former dancer and 2011 chair, and Jenny Pruitt, CEO of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty and 2011 winner of the Dancing Stars of Atlanta People’s Choice award. The 2012 cast includes:
Mitchell Barnes, Partner, Carter Barnes Salons
Rodney Cook, President, National Monuments Foundation
Sandra Fryhofer, M.D., General Internist & Clinical Associate Professor, Emory School of Medicine
Duvall Fuqua, Philanthropist, Founder/Owner, Sister Act Couture Clothing
John Grant, CEO, 100 Black Men of Atlanta
Valerie Jackson, First Lady to the late Maynard Jackson; Partner, Jackmont Hospitality, Inc., and Atlanta Restaurant Partners; Host, WABE’s Between the Lines
Amanda Brown Olmstead, One of Atlanta’s Leading PR Magnates
Michele Swann, General Manager/CEO, Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Steve Welsh, Executive Creative Director, A Legendary Event
Chuck Wolf, Founder, Wolf Camera; Founder, Wolfbone Marketing
Celebrity Dancers are currently in training and will perform with professional dancers from Allure Dance Atlanta, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta and Valeo Dance Club. World 9-Dance Champion, Nancy Senner, and Cory Thompson will serve as hosts for the evening’s festivities.
The People’s Choice Award will be accepted by the dancer who raises the most individual dollars ($1.00 donated = 1 vote), while the Judge’s Choice Award will be given to the dancer with the highest score.
Vote for your favorite dancer now and purchase tickets at www.dancingstarsofatlanta.com.
Currently 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. Every 68 seconds someone in the U.S. is diagnosed. The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter serves more than 200,000 Georgians living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. With seven offices statewide, the Georgia Chapter provides vital education, support and services in all of Georgia’s 159 counties. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and promotion of brain health, and to enhance care and support for all individuals, their families and caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death with no cure or treatment to slow its progression. For more information about the Georgia Chapter visit www.alz.org/georgia.
For more information contact Andrea Mickelson at 404.728.1181 or andrea.mickelson@alz.org.
John Thomas Grant, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of 100 Black Men of Atlanta (100) and has been a member of the organization for over 20 years. In his position, Grant is responsible for managing the organization’s day-to-day growth and direction. Grant has garnered a reputation among his Atlanta-chapter colleagues for his ability to obtain “blue-chip” corporate sponsors and successfully manage their investments in the organization. Under his leadership, the 100 has attained a level of visibility and prominence that underscores the importance of its philanthropic mission established by its founding members in 1986.
Amanda was born in Jackson, Mississippi with one brother and one sister. She grew up in Jackson and graduated from Murrah High School and the University of Mississippi. While growing up, Amanda was extremely active in theater, with lead roles in productions such as, Carousel, Good News, Babes in Arms, and The Fantastics. Her interests included dance, from age 4, through University Dancers at Ole’ Miss. Other hobbies included singing, performing in musical theater, opera, and with jazz groups.
This year, we’re celebrating 100 years since Arthur Murray gave his first dance lesson. On April 4th, in studios throughout the world, we’ll join together in the biggest “birthday” dance ever to salute the master of the global groove! This bio, drawn from Wikipedia, will help give you a sense of the history of the dance legacy that we’re delighted to share with you!
Mark your calendars, folks. Atlanta’s Dancing Stars is on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Loews Atlanta Hotel!
