Vote for your favorite pair at BACOA's dancing fundraiser

It's the hottest ticket in town!

At 7 p.m. Feb. 5, at the Arts Center at Elgin Community College, six dancing duos will take to the stage in BACOA's fifth installment of Dancing with the Barrington Stars.

Dancing with the Barrington Stars is BACOA's major fundraiser, and the monies raised will help fund Barrington Area Council on Aging programs and services to area seniors, caregivers and families.

This year's fundraising goal is $250,000, and BACOA needs the community's help to reach it. First, purchase a ticket for $175 and attend the live show. Beer, wine and hearty appetizers are included in the ticket price. Second, buy a raffle ticket to win one of two raffle prizes. And, third, pledge a donation in the name of one of the dancing stars from now until Feb. 5. Visit bacoa.org to see all the ticket and pledge details.

Executive Director Terri Channer has high hopes for this year's event.

"After a virtual edition last year, we are excited to get back to a live event with friendly competition, all in the name of raising funds to further BACOA's mission of serving aging adults in our community," said Channer.

This year's dancers are a dynamic group who are ready for their turn on the dance floor. They are: Dr. Jeanne Novas, founder of Novas, Dohr, Coll and Gadson OB/GYN Associates & Medical Spa, who will be dancing with her husband, Al Busano; Karen Lambert, president of Good Shepherd Hospital, who will be dancing with Dr. Barry Rosen, founding member of Advanced Surgical Care of Northern Illinois; Fr. Joji Thanugundla, associate pastor of St. Anne Catholic Community, who will be paired with a professional dancer from Bataille Academie of the Danse; Jessica Green, leader and co-host of Courageous Conversations, who will be dancing with Graham Kostic, choreographer of the stage at Barrington High School; Barrington High School Business Incubator Program teacher Hagop Soulakian, who will be dancing with his wife, Arpik Soulakian; and Jessica Hutchison, leader of My Red Said, a mental health awareness campaign, who will be dancing with a Bataille professional.

For details or to purchase tickets, visit bacoa.org.