There were sequins, lifts, a toy horse, a mullet and even a pair of apricot hot pants.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yes, that was just some of what was on offer at Manilla’s own Dancing With The Stars.
The fundraiser for the Manilla Community Pre-School not only drew plenty of laughs, it showcased some unique styles of dance too.
The real Channel 7 Dancing With The Stars contestants, Carmelo Pizzino and Alana Patience, joined local hairdresser, Rachel Harry and pre-school teacher Robyn Grimburg on the judging table as six couples tangoed, boogied, waltzed and danced, at the expense of their pride.
The night belonged to Manilla plumber Tim Endacott and local butcher and New Zealand-import Catherine Northey who used a hakka, Waltzing Matilda and a bit of rock and pop to be crowned overall winners.
For judge Alana Patience, it was a first.
“I’ve been dancing for 30 years and I can honestly say I have never seen a plumber and butcher dance together,” Alana told the sell out crowd.
And the judge’s comments didn’t end there.
Robyn Grimburg has been at the pre-school for 26 years, but she was a tough judge to crack on the night.
A lot of the dancing costumes showed a bit too much leg for her liking.
“One just saw something that one should not see,” she joked to the crowd after one of the dancers was lifted as part of a routine.
“I probably would have preferred some of the dresses to be a bit longer,” she said.
The couples included Mike and Kylie Rowland, Kim and Kym Hagon, Kurt Taylor and Liz Priestly, Richard Bell and Sara DaSilva, Gavin and Stephanie Heywood and Tim Endacott and Catherine Northey.
From I’m a Barbie Girl to Dirty Dancing, I’ve Had the Time of My life to I’m Sexy and I know It, there was a tune for every move.
Local vet Kym Hagon left a lasting impression on the crowd as he stripped off the costume chaps, down to a pair of apricot hot pants.
Striding in on a toy horse swooning to Ride a Horse, Save a Cowboy, he blamed eBay for the gold hotpants that didn’t turn up in time.
That performance was enough to win the judges vote for freestyle dancing while farmer Gavin Heywood caught the eye of judge Alana.
“Gavin you have a ballet dancer’s butt and its very nice to watch,” Alana told the crowd.
The tight pants actually belonged to his wife, a feat just to fit in
them itself.
The night was a sell out with 358 people packing the local Central School hall for the fundraiser.
The organisers were almost lost for words as Manilla dug deep, raising $16,000.
Organiser Emma Taylor said they were overwhelmed.
“The support we’ve had from the whole community, almost every business in town has supported us in some way. Everyone has been right behind us, it’s just amazing,” Ms Taylor said.
And there were high expectations for the night.
“We hadn’t even got the posters up before we had to write sold out on them. We had 60 people on the waiting list after day one, it was incredible,” Ms Taylor told The Northern Daily Leader.
The money will be used to keep fees down at the pre-school and help the day-to-day running of the not-for-profit organisation.
The event only happens once every two years, and for some of the dancers, it’s probably a good thing.
Although reports suggest some locals are already lined up to compete at the next one.
Watch this space.