Everyone's got an ability, it just boils down to finding the right style. You get to know their personality, work out what skills they have and we work around that
- Cazz Kardol
Steven Keene is probably more used to watching animals with four legs race than using his own limbs to dance.
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As he says, there’s “not a lot of dancing” on a racecourse.
But the Racing Wodonga sales and events manager is ready to take part in the Stars of the Border Dance for Cancer gala on May 4.
“My dancing experience is very minimal, but I’m always open to new challenges and I look forward to adding to my skill set,” he said with a grin.
Mr Keene is one of 13 Albury-Wodonga identities who will pair up with dance teachers for eight weeks to learn a routine the couples then perform at Albury Entertainment Centre.
The participants also raise money for Cancer Council NSW, with last year’s Border Dance for Cancer collecting more than $65,000.
As well as Border Mail photographer James Wiltshire and 10 other stars named last month, two wildcards have been added to the dance list – Ryan Speed and 9 News journalist Ashlea Kunowski.
Cancer Council western NSW community relations co-ordinator Emma McAuley said the fifth annual gala would see the biggest-ever line-up of dancers.
“Like the beginning of each year, we are super excited to see what the stars and their dance teachers bring to the dance floor,” she said.
Rehearsals won’t begin until March, but Mr Keene’s fundraising is on track with a race day event scheduled at Wodonga racecourse on February 11.
“It’s a precinct right on the winning post, prime location,” he said.
Tickets for the function can be booked at country.racing.com/wodonga.
Cazz Kardol, of Alpine Dance Studio, is Mr Keene’s dance teacher and will oversee their theatrical number.
“Everyone’s got an ability, it just boils down to finding the right style,” she said.
“You get to know their personality, work out what skills they have and we work around that.
“It’s not about the competition, it’s about fundraising, so it’s about producing something that’s going to be a bit of a crowd pleaser.”
As for the challenging eight-week timeframe, “the shorter your deadline, the harder you work”.
Mr Keene felt the Dance for Cancer experience would be good fun.
“I got dobbed in by some fantastic colleagues, but it’s a fantastic cause so when the opportunity came I didn’t hesitate,” he said.
“Probably some of (the other stars) have the same dancing ability that I do, so that makes me feel a bit more comfortable,” he added.
Gala night tickets go on sale February 14.
