Kindleberger Festival Fund Raiser

Article from mlive.com ....

In front of a lively, sold-out crowd at Parchment High School, Parchment teachers Rick and Kelly Bagley took top prize at ``Parchment Stars Dance!'' The man-and-wife dance team's jive routine to the song ``Hey Senorita'' drew wild cheers from the audience and they walked away with a bowling ball covered with mirror tiles in the lighthearted competition that raised money March 29 for The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts and The Stage at Kindleberger. ``You guys are so stinkin' cute!'' said judge Gina Maria Chimner, after their performance. Rick Bagley, who teaches physical education at Central and Northwood elementary schools, was thrilled to win grand prize. ``I can't believe this,'' said Bagley, giving credit to the pair's choreographer. ``We owe this all to Jill.'' Kelly Bagley, a Central Elementary fourth-grade teacher, was unavailable for comment because of the happy ambush of chattering students who rushed the gym floor to hug and congratulate her. Former NFL official and Parchment resident John Madaras, who performed a well-received ballet to ``Cherished'' with Lisa Bredahl, took second place.

Third prize went to Tom Novak, a Parchment Middle School sixth-grade teacher and High School football and middle school track and field coach. He performed a swing-style routine to the song ``Zoot Suit Riot'' against his will. ``I was coerced into competing here tonight because someone else dropped out,'' Novak said. ``But it worked out well -- I think I've discovered a hidden talent.'' Variety waltzed its way into every number at ``Parchment Stars Dance!'' There was salsa dancing, jazz dancing and hip-hop dancing. Performers perfected the hustle, the foxtrot and the cha cha for a delighted crowd.

``Disco never really died; it moved to Parchment,'' judge James Sanford told contestant Paul Banner after his theatrical routine to ``You Should Be Dancin''' and ``Carwash'' while washing a cardboard car with a glittery blue sponge. Sanford is the film critic and arts-and-entertainment section coordinator for the Kalamazoo Gazette. ``John Travolta has nothing on you,'' added Judge Jacy Neuman. Many people in the crowd came to cheer on a family member, teacher, neighbor or co-worker, but Beth Ireland, 44, of Parchment, came with daughter Molly, 11, and friend, Carol Link, 66, for another reason. ``We do know a lot of the people competing here, but we're also big `Dancing With the Stars' fans,'' said Ireland, in reference to the hit ABC dance show that inspired the local competition. ``We knew this would be a lot of fun. And this is such a clever way to raise funds.'' Misty Blake, 33, knew that her friend Michelle Burghdoff would be competing with her husband, Greg Burghdoff. But when she heard that Greg would be sleeveless for the event, she made the trip from Portage. ``It was a last-minute decision, but when I heard that Greg was going to show off his guns, I had to come.'' Kris Jordan, chair of the Kindleberger Arts Commission, who organized the show, was surprised at the full house. More than 700 tickets were sold, according to Jordan.

``We have raised thousands of dollars for the festival tonight,'' Jordan said. ``This is fantastic. It's more than we ever expected.'' While the ballots were tallied, Kalamazoo DanceSport treated the audience to ballroom and interpretive dance demonstrations. Many in the crowd were astonished at the talent that swirled and twirled and be-bopped around the gymnasium floor. Parchment's top educator was among them.

``I certainly didn't know some of our teachers had this much talent,'' Parchment Superintendent Matthew Miller said. The Dancers The ``Parchment Stars Dance!'' fundraiser paired contestants with professional dancers and choreographers. The following teams competed:

• Sue Banner paired with dancer Alan Williams, of the Kalamazoo School of Music and Dance.
• Ray Banner paired with dancer Andrea Hernandez.
• Karyn Spry paired with Art Downey, co-owner of Kalamazoo DanceSport.
• John Madaras paired with dancer Lisa Bredahl.
• Jodi Heaney paired with dancer Kyle Waterman.
• Terese Banner paired with dancer Ken Holda.
• Tom Brown paired with dancer Caitlyn Alan Morrissey.
• Brian Sell paired with dancer Kelly White.
• Randy Hanson paired with Jessica Henning, who teaches dance at the Kalamazoo School of Music and Dance.
• Kim Boekhoven paired with Jerry Kent, who gives lessons at Kalamazoo DanceSport and Cheek to Cheek.
• Tom Novak paired with Cindi Bosma, who teaches at the Patti Herm School of Dance in Otsego.
• Rick Bagley and his wife, Kelly Bagley, choreographed by Jill Mason-Downey who co-owns Kalamazoo Dance.
• Greg Burghdoff and his wife, Michelle Burghdoff, choreographed by dancer Caitlyn Alan Morrissey.