by Laurie Bellman
The Lindy Hop for Life, a 24-hour dance-a-thon fundraiser for City of Hope, is looking for participants for its third annual swing dance. This year’s event at the 24-Hour Fitness Ultrasport Club in Irvine lasts from 10 a.m., March 8, to 11 a.m., March 9.
The event includes live swing bands, professional DJs, dance lessons, open dancing, dance team performances, contests and food.
Last year’s event raised more than $100,000 and this year’s goal is $150,000.
Sponsored dancers participate in teams that switch members, relay style, so everyone has a turn to dance and rest. Participants may start their own teams or join an existing team such as City of Hope Kool Kats, headed by Paul N. Hengen, Ph.D., assistant research scientist in the Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell & Leukemia Research.
“We are looking for people to join our team of lindy hop and jitterbug enthusiasts,” Hengen said. “We don't care if you can't dance; we'll teach you how at the event.”
Visit www.danceathon.org to register, start a team or join a team. For more information about City of Hope Kool Kats, e-mail Hengen at paulhengen@coh.org.