By Alexandra Valint
Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
For 24 hours, starting at 7 tonight, Memorial Gym will transform into the glitter and dazzle of Tinsel Town. The fourth annual Dance Marathon, with the over-arching theme of "Hollywood," will launch into another jam-packed dancing fest.
This year the Dance Marathon will continue to donate all proceeds to the Sarah Du Bose fund. The fund was created by the parents of Sarah Du Bose and supports the Newborn Intensive Care Unit of the University Medical Center, where Sarah received vital care after she was born.
Third-year College student Brooke Bakun, overall chair of the 2002 Dance Marathon executive board, said they expect about 300 dancers, with an influx of about 200 more dancers during the open-hour periods. Although the marathon made approximately $42,000 last year, they have no specific goal for net proceeds this year, Bakun said.
Local businesses have donated food for the event, as well as products to be used as prizes, she said.
Corporations donated money, restaurants donated gift certificates and several gyms offered complimentary memberships.
In addition, the fund-raising committee scoured the Internet for celebrity addresses and sent letters acquainting them with Dance Marathon and its objective. There was a great response, and some donated items include a Bob Barker autographed "The Price is Right" script, signed pictures of Katie Holmes and Tyra Banks and autographed R.E.M and Vertical Horizon CDs. The items will go on silent auction, which will run during the two open hour periods.
Each hour will feature a special theme, Bakun said. She is particularly excited about the "boy bands, girl bands" hour.
"We will have a lot of competition between the guys and girls that are there," she said.
The most special periods, according to organizers, are the last two "family" hours, in which the children who have benefitedfrom the NICU will join the marathon with their families. The event will include "speakers from the hospital and parents telling stories about their kids," Bakun said.
The Dance Marathon starts tonight at 7 and continues until 7 p.m. Saturday. Students can still join by arriving by 6:30 p.m., filling out the registration form and paying the $50 donation. Open hours are tonight from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5.
In spite of all the fun, the heart of the Dance Marathon is its worthy cause.
"It's really to bring college kids together, unselfishly, to do something for the community," Bakun said. "And it makes it all the more special that it's kids we're benefiting"
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