The Big Eighties Dance Party, organized by Margie Rotchford, will have music provided by The Dennis Collins Band all night long at the event, along with an open bar, food and sushi by Prime at Saratoga National.
The Dennis Collins Band has played with the likes of Beyoncé and the late Whitney Houston and “were a huge hit at last year’s event,” according to Rotchford.
Rotchford added that she was excited to announce Terrio as the event’s special guest.
“He is adorable,” Rotchford said. “He was John Travolta’s dancing coach for the movie ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ and after that they gave him his own dance variety show called ‘Dance Fever.’ [The show] was so much fun and everyone would watch it and we’d all go out dancing, so we want this party to be like that!”
“I’ve been wanting him to come to Saratoga for forever, so it’s a big deal for me,” Rotchford continued. “I think everyone will be excited to see him.”
The event will also feature a short live auction with six items, the bigger ones including a Fender electric guitar signed by rock and roll legends Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Slash, BB King, Neil Young, the Edge and Pete Townsend; dinner for 10 at the Mansion Inn featuring a private five-course dinner and wine pairing, and three tickets to a New York Giants football game this fall (only 20 rows back from the field), among other auction items.
Rotchford said she started the benefit several years ago after Dennis Snyder, a doctor who works with Medical Missions for Children, approached her to ask for help in raising money for the charity. The nonprofit organization provides free, quality medical, surgical and dental care to impoverished children around the world. MMFC focuses on cleft lip and palate deformities, microtia (absence of an ear) and severe burn reconstruction.
“What they do is pretty amazing,” Rotchford said. “[Dennis] goes on several missions a year and there are other doctors who have gone with him who are also from Saratoga, so it’s a great charity and I love what they do—it means a lot to me and it’s heartwarming to have support from people in Saratoga and beyond.”
The benefit will take place from 7—11 p.m. at Prime at Saratoga National Golf Club. Regular admission tickets are $250, with other sponsorship levels available. For more information on the event and to buy tickets, visit mmfc.org/Events/Saratoga/Saratoga_2013.htm. For more information about Medical Missions for Children, visit www.mmfc.org.