Dance is Highlight of Sundance Weekend
As might be obvious from the name, the dance portion of the Sundance event, traditionally held on the second night of CAMP Rehoboth’s Sundance weekend, is the high point for many. That’s the night the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center is transformed into a professional-level dance club venue. This year, the dance part of Sundance 2014: Rainbow XXVII - The Love Dream—Return to Xanadu will take place on August 31. That’s when the convention center will be turned into the region’s wildest and best dance club.
The Sundance fun starts at 8 p.m., with dancing until 2 a.m., and an open bar all night. Mark Thomas hand-picks contemporary progressive tunes with a few classic sounds here and there to get the crowd going. He starts slow, building up the energy in the room as the participants respond. Hundreds of partygoers crowd the floor in an atmosphere unmatched by regular dance clubs. Paul Turner turns up the heat with his amazing lights and special effects.
The first night is the Sundance Auction and Cocktail Buffet, which features an open bar all night, food by Plate Catering, and an amazing array of travel, art, event, dining, and gift items, all up for bid, with Lorne Crawford as auctioneer. That event will be held August 30, 7-10 p.m. Participants can choose to enjoy just the dance or the auction event or to attend both. Tickets are $45 for one night or $80 for both events. The presenting sponsor for Sundance is BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Diamond sponsors are Move2Rehoboth. com and Sea Bova Associates. Gold sponsors are Gayla, Maplewood Dental, CIO Federal IT, Outlet Liquors, Signarama, Len Smith, Ketel One Vodka, and Morris James.
The Sundance event began in 1988, inspired by the need to do something in response to the growing AIDS epidemic and the terrible devastation it was causing. Funds raised by the benefit went toward education and health services in the Rehoboth community. In the 26 years since the first Sundance, the event has raised more than two million dollars, first for AIDS, and later for the wellness of the entire community.
Sundance continues to raise much-needed funds for CAMP Rehoboth, an organization that operates a full-service community center; offers a variety of activities, cultural events, service projects, and educational programs; and advocates for a community of inclusion in Rehoboth Beach. Individuals and organizations can be a part of the event through ticket purchases or sponsorships, which start at just $100. All proceeds from the event benefit CAMP Rehoboth (a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation) and support the activities and programs it provides to the Rehoboth community.