Dancing with Easter Seals Stars is set to make its return to Sudbury at the end of this month, featuring a historic first in its 14-year history in the region: a male same-sex dance pair will take the stage.
Sky Slywchuk, a professional dancer, and Ricky Gervais have spent the past three months preparing for their performance at the event, marking the first time two males will compete together in the fundraiser’s history.
The theme this year is ‘A Magical Night,’ with the event involving some elements of Disney.
Gervais and Slywchuk have been preparing two upbeat jazz dances.
“It’s excellent that we can broaden the perspectives and open people’s minds up to not be too limited,” said Slywchuk.
Gervais, who is gay, emphasized the significance of their participation when talking with CTV News.
“It’s good for the times that we’re going through right now, especially with everything going on around the world,” he said.
“For me to be able to get out there and show difference, inclusivity amongst two guys dancing, and (be part of) a great fundraiser – it’s meaningful.”
The event pairs ten professional dancers with ten participants of various dance backgrounds, each team performing two numbers during the gala-style evening. Tickets often sell out within the first 48 hours, making it a popular fundraiser for Easter Seals Ontario.
Proceeds support children and youth with physical disabilities, funding programs and services such as summer camps. Last year, the event raised $165,000.
“We provide programs and services, camp opportunities for kids in the summertime where they can actually get away from their caregivers and parents at home and be around other kids just like them,” said MJ Pappin, a community engagement officer with Easter Seals in Sudbury.
“It really gives them an experience to share their abilities with kids just like them and give them that independence.”
This year’s event will also feature a female same-sex pair, a pairing that has occurred once before at the Sudbury event. Pappin said the fundraiser’s commitment to diversity and inclusion represents the core values of Easter Seals.
“It speaks to what Easter Seals is really about – one of their awareness and advocacy pieces is for inclusivity and acceptance,” she said.
“When you see that shared in such a fun, informative, entertaining setting, we are just spreading that message even broader.”
Dancing with Easter Seals Stars takes place on Feb. 28, at the Caruso Club.
The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, allowing viewers to vote for their favourite couple from home.
For more information on the fundraiser or how to vote, visit eastersealsdancing.org.
