March, 2006 - Nr. 3
Zonta’s Valentine Extravaganza
by Herwig Wandschneider
Under the motto "Shall We Dance", "The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo" invited its members and the public to a lively and entertaining Benefit at the Victoria Park Pavillion in Kitchener. Zonta is a service organization for women executives in business and the professions, working together to advance the status of women. The International group was founded in 1919 and has clubs in 70 countries. The K-W club has 55 members.
The first surprise was the Pavillion, which had been nicely renovated to permit a variety of event configurations for up to 200 guests, including Zonta’s ballroom style dance with a large dance floor and 170 guests. The large windows, the snow-laden trees and the location in the park created an immediate romantic atmosphere on arrival. Added to this was Zonta’s Valentines decoration theme, including flowers and outside candles guiding guests up the entry stairway to the door, then the decorations on the tables, walls and beams and the welcome was complete.
The dance event was a Zonta’s Fundraising efforts in support of local organizations dedicated to the needs of women. The list of Raffle Donors and Sponsors of prizes provided for the live auction (with auctioneer Bill Hancock) was impressive. And so were the dance demonstrations.
![Kim and Horst Kessler [photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](603c-HW1840b.jpg)
The
second pleasant surprise was the intelligently varied programme beginning
with the opening ballroom dance demonstration by no other than Horst and
Kimberley Kessler, ballroom dance professionals, who graciously demonstrated
how a Merengue, Waltz, Tango and Cha Cha Cha should be danced. Guests were
given ample opportunity to copy their style and grace. Let us say that the
dance floor was just too crowded.
![Dance Riot demonstration [photo: Herwig Wandschneider]](603c-HW1855a.jpg)
Fortunately,
no one attempted to copy the "swing riot" show presented later by Jeff
Benoit’s "Addicted to Dancing" team, and thus broken bones all over the
dance floor were avoided. The team ably provided restrained, well received
swing lessons to everyone and helped individual couples later with learning
the steps as the evening progressed.
Well selected music and MC services were provided by DJ David Trinh of "Cutting Edge DJ Service". The music was intended for dancing, of course, but the volume should have been toned down, so that those not dancing would have an opportunity to talk to each other.
In addition to the live auction, dancing was interspersed with raffle draws, and a late catered "lunch". Zonta’s organizers (a committee of 16 of the 55 club members, chaired by Deborah Smith) also secured a liquor license and served select wines, beer and liquor throughout the evening. It was an excellent team effort, that worked smoothly and efficiently to make this Valentines Benefit a memorable event. In addition, the team succeeded to raise nearly $8,000.
