Kiwanis kick off fundraising dance

By Caroline Monday

cmonday@mountaintimes.com

The Boone Kiwanis will be hosting a swingin' time this weekend with a swing dance fundraiser.

The dance will be on March 15 at the High Country Home Builders, located on the N.C. 105 Bypass in Boone. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. and lasts until 10:30. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $25 for couples.

All proceeds will go to support the efforts of the Kiwanis, which focus on serving children. Event organizer Steve Frank said the group supports a great number of local efforts, including projects by local nonprofits and various efforts in the schools. “We have just a myriad of things we support every year,” Frank said.

He said that many times the projects serve families, and in turn serve children.
“We focus on things that affect, especially, the children in our community,” Frank said, “from housing to education to health care.”

In the past the group has been involved with the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross. They have also contributed to Western Youth Network and WAMY Community Action.

The members contribute in small ways by donating a book to a local school in honor of a speaker instead of presenting them with a gift or card. Members regularly visit area elementary schools, bringing a book to read and then leaving that book for the schools to keep.

This is the first time the group has had a dance fundraiser, but Frank assures it will be a fun time. Frank’s band, the Silvio Martinat Swing Band, will provide live music.
The band has experience playing for dancers, being a regular at the summer swing events at Meadowbrook Inn.

Frank said the band usually offers a special treat for anyone wanting to try their hand, or vocal chords, at singing swing. Attendees can sing with the live band for what Frank calls “karaoke on steroids.” The band has lyrics available for many swing standards. “It's not polished, but it sure is fun,” he said.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine will be available, and an announced bad-weather date is to come.