Gai-Maree Matthews likes a good boogie, but she’ll be taking it to a whole new level this year for the Stars of Dubbo Dance for Cancer.
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This is the fourth year the Cancer Council event has been held. It pairs up local celebrities with Dubbo dance schools to raise money.
Ms Matthews is one of this year’s stars. She said she had no hesitation in jumping on board.
“I’m doing it in honour of my younger sister who I lost in 2015. I just felt like I wanted to do something really positive to honour her,” she said.
As well as her sister loving music and dancing, she also raised more than $45,000 for breast cancer research, Ms Matthews said.
While she was quick to embrace the Dance for Cancer, Ms Matthews said she was nervous about the performance at the event in May. She has already had five rehearsals with Orana Dance Centre, with many more to come to ensure she’s prepared for the big night.
“I do like to have a bit of a boogie but as far as doing choreography… I don’t do choreographed dancing,” she said.
Ms Matthews said she didn’t want to end up like Sally in the Thundamentals song.
“I keep hearing it on Triple J and I think that I’m not going to be Sally. I don’t want to be the one who has two left feet,” she said.
The dancer was staying tight-lipped on her performance. She said the songs were unique but chosen because they were special to her. There were also multiple genres she needed to learn, Ms Matthews said.
However, there would be about 15 students from Orana Dance Centre included, as well as her own daughter, she said.
To date, the star has already raised almost $1000. As well as selling chocolate balls Russo's Coffee Bar in East and West, Ms Matthews said she was also holding a barbecue at Bunnings on Easter Saturday, as well as a private fundraiser she was organising.
“The fundraising is constantly on my mind because I want to do it right. I’m going in whole-heartedly and I just want it to be really special,” she said.
Ten stars will take to the stage for the Cancer Council NSW’s Dance for Cancer. The event will be held on Saturday May, 5. Tickets are $100 per person and include canapes, a two course meal and entertainment.
See all the stars and follow their progress here: www.everydayhero.com.au/event/starsofdubbo2018.