NBS Dancing for a Cause is a major fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice happening this Saturday at the Trafalgar Centre. It sees 10 locals, with varying degrees of dancing experience, team-up with trained dancers. This week, we catch up with contestants Blair Kiddey and Cheryl Candish about preparing and their hopes for the event.
What first drew you to NBS Dancing for a Cause?
Blair: I was co-MCing the 2021 event when one of the contestants (friend and former workmate) Al Columbus nominated me.
Cheryl: I watched Dancing for a Cause last time and was blown away with what an amazing event it was. I wanted everyone to keep dancing!
Tell me about your previous dancing experience (or lack of)
Cheryl: I was tap dancer for a number of years as a child and picked it up again at Soundstage for a while a few years ago which was fun. I’ll also dance anywhere to a good ‘80s playlist.
Blair: Apart from the breakdancing phase in the ‘80s with a group of friends outside the local dairy in my hometown of Waiau, and a few past failed TikTok attempts with my now 15 year old daughter, my dance experience is VERY limited.
What’s been the hardest part of the process?
Blair: Remembering what foot and arm goes where and when. They say it will become muscle memory but clearly my brain has not had a decent workout in a very long time, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of muscle there.
Cheryl: In the early weeks of rehearsing, it was hard to remember what I’d learned from one week to the next. It certainly felt like Groundhog Day for a while.
What can people expect from your performance?
Cheryl: Hopefully people can expect an elegant and graceful performance. I’m working on it!
Blair: That is a good question, I’m thinking an amazing performance,.... from my dance partner Zara. As for me, I’ll be doing my best to hide the nerves and get to the end.
Why is the Nelson Tasman Hospice important to you?
Blair: Through work I have done a few things with hospice. I know how much they do and what an important part of the community they are with the services they offer both on site and in the community.
Cheryl: Although I have never had any close personal ties with hospice, I know many people that have and appreciate just what an important part the hospice plays in so many families’ lives. After beating aggressive stage 3 breast cancer in 2020, still knowing that there is a place like Nelson Tasman Hospice that could support my family and I is important to me.
What are you most nervous about?
Blair: Having a complete mind blank, which has happened a few times during rehearsals.
Cheryl: Obviously the thought of mucking up on the night makes me nervous. I want to do myself, my family and my dance partner, Derryn, proud.
Is this the craziest thing you’ve ever done? If not, what was?
Cheryl: I actually think this is the craziest thing I’ve ever done - it’s certainly the most public crazy thing! But I also think it will be one of the things I’m most proud of.
Blair: I would have thought the craziest thing I have ever done is stand in the globe of death when the circus was in town a few years ago with motorbikes screaming around me, however this may have to go to the top of the list.
Has anything surprised you?
Blair: Not so much surprised but more of an appreciation of how good (and patient) my dance teacher Sally and dance partner Zara are. Sally can show Zara a move once and she does it straight up, Then me? That’s when the patience comes in.
Cheryl: The generosity of people has been a wonderful surprise. The local community are so invested in our dancing success (as signalled by our sell-out event) and raising money for hospice.
