Following a three-year hiatus, the Vail Valley Foundation is proud to bring back the Star Dancing Gala, a fundraising event to support YouthPower365 and their various programs to inspire, educate and empower youth and families. Raising over a million dollars in past years, the Star Dancing Gala is back in full force with stunning surprises in store. Due to the strong community feedback and desire to bring this unique, one-of-a-kind event back, the Star Dancing Gala is set to return on July 11, 2023, at the Vail Valley Jet Center in Gypsum, Colorado.
“[The Star Dancing Gala provides] a place for everyone in our community to come together, celebrate our youth, have a really fun time and support the important work of YouthPower365,” explains Sierra Adams, vice president of philanthropy at the Vail Valley Foundation. Originally founded in 2008, this will be the first Gala since 2019, following a pause of the event in 2020 with the COVID pandemic, and a modified fundraiser called the Stars Variety Show in 2021 and 2022.
The Star Dancing Gala will consist of a sit-down dinner, drinks, a live auction, an inspiring show presenting local celebrities and professional dancers and a DJ dance party to wrap up the night. Tamar Giorgadze, a personal stylist at Perch in Vail, will be performing at the event as a celebrity dancer alongside professional dancers and other local spotlights. “I’m very honored, and I was very excited [when I was chosen to dance],” Tamar recounts. “What a great way, specifically the Gala, to cheer on the good cause and of course have fun.”
Prior to her fashion career, Giorgadze studied music. “Music is always, on a daily basis, part of my life,” she shares. Having taught piano and performed as a concert pianist, Giorgadze is not afraid to be on the stage, despite her lack of dance background. “As far as dancing, I’ve never actually danced on a stage,” she adds. Compared to musical performance, “dancing is another story,” she laughs. “I’ve got to work on it, but I will do my best.”
Giorgadze will be dancing with a professional dancer during the Gala to showcase their skills and display a dynamic, community-centered set. “And I guess that’s the whole point,” explains Giorgadze that the Gala is all about community building. “I think that for [the community] to see how I can be transformed in a different way, that’ll be super fun and hopefully super enjoyable.”
In addition to this community connection, the Star Dancing Gala funds YouthPower365, a local organization invested in providing support and resources to youth and families throughout the Eagle River Valley. Beginning from early childhood and continuing until college and career, “YouthPower365 provides programs to help youth reach their full potential,” explains Adams, with the mission of, “supporting youth and families every step of the way.”
YouthPower365 focuses on a whole spectrum of support, from the Magic Bus Mobile Preschool Program and summer camp offerings to college and career readiness programs. “In addition to our youth services, we provide wrap-around services with family engagement programs,” shares Adams. “[We make] sure that families and caregivers in this valley have access to the resources and supports that they need to ensure that their children are set up for success.” In a valley submersed in typically harmful individualistic mindsets, YouthPower365 promotes wholesome alternatives with helpful spaces of support, connection and community.
Further, most of these programs are free or reduced pricing, with multiple scholarship opportunities available. “Through our programs, we serve over 4,000 kids every year,” shares Adams. “A majority of the students that we serve access our programs free or at very low cost.” YouthPower365 strives to provide programming that is accessible to any student and family with an interest in participating in them.
Photos courtesy of Vail Valley Foundation.
The Star Dancing Gala assists YouthPower365 in the resources they provide and allows the organization to continue offering guided, individually tailored connections across the valley. “Fundraisers such as the Gala help [YouthPower365] to maintain the same level of depth and programming,” explains Adams. “What sets YouthPower365 apart is our full spectrum of program offerings and really looking at the holistic development of our children and youth in this county.”
This broad reach and support is largely thanks to their various community partners throughout the valley. “Community is all about good relationships and good connections and just people who care,” says Giorgadze.
This Gala is just one instance of the Eagle River Valley community coming together to show that they care, celebrate youth and families and foster childhood wonder and strength.
After all, it truly does take a village to raise a child.
Or, in this case, a valley.
For more information on the event, tickets and sponsorship news, visit StarDancingGala.com.