Former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis Dances with CPRD Denver Stars Gala

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 13th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala Benefits Thousands of Students

A stunning cast of 13 new dancing stars prepares to take the stage in support of art education programming. The 13th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala, held by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) will take place on the evening of Aug. 12 at the Hilton Denver City Center.

Now celebrating its 53rd season, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, each year hosts the Dancing with the Denver Stars (DWTDS) fundraiser event to raise money and awareness for its Arts-In-

Education outreach program, which increases exposure and access to dance and global culture for metro-area students. Stars for the event represent community leaders who are identified by their demonstration of courage to those they serve. “They learn new steps in leadership to support critical arts programs, such as dance. It is a joyful and new educational experience in serving our community,” says CPRD Executive Director, Malik Robinson.

This year’s dancing cast, including former Denver

Broncos Running Back, Terrell Davis, has been practicing an exciting array of choreography since the annual kickoff event held in May at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The gala kickoff offered the stars a chance to meet several DWTDS alumni and be paired with their partners for this season’s performance. The stars and their professional dance counterparts from the CPRD Ensemble and CPRD apprentice company, Cleo II, selected music from a list of artists following this year’s theme: Celebrating the Divas of Music. Assisted by Cleo Parker

Robinson, CPRD Founder and Artistic Director, the pairs learned choreography on a grand scale, fine-tuning remarkable stylistic preferences to create a storyline for each performance. They have rehearsed diligently ahead of the August 12 gala and are expected to bring magic to the stage.

“We designed Dancing With The Denver Stars to demonstrate the level of dedication it takes to learn and present dance—it’s a complex pairing of mind and body. What better way than to have our community leaders learn and share the value of dance with their peers,” shares Gwen Brewer, CPRD Board Chair.

“Our 13 Stars demonstrate that dancers can start this journey at any point in life! Dance – and the stories behind each dance –create spiritual, mental, and physical energy, and strengthen academic health for the minds and bodies of the tens of thou- sands of students we serve. Dance shows us how our minds and bodies can grow at any age,” says Parker Robinson.

Created in 2009 to demonstrate the level of dedication it takes to learn and present dance, DWTDS is directed by Gwen Brewer, a retired educator and CPRD Board Chair. This year’s event co-chairs are Holly Velasquez Horvath, Regional Vice President, Xcel Energy and Jerome Davis, Executive Vice President, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

While only a few tables remain, tickets for the August 12 gala can be purchased from the CPRD website at www.cleoparkerdance.org. Those who are unable to attend can support CPRD’s art education initiative and watch the event live with a $50 donation – a link to a live recording will be viewable from anywhere with an internet connection.

Meet the 2023 Dancing With The Denver Stars

Terrell Davis

Former Denver Bronco

Running Back

Dance Partner: Ralaya Goshea

Cody Field Safeway | 2013 Special Olympics Colorado Athlete of the Year

Dance Partner: Gabrielle Maduro

Maisha Fields, RN

Founder | Chief Nursing Officer Dayton Street

Opportunity Center & Clinic

Dance Partner: Tyveze Littlejohn

Kelly Marlin Flenniken

Director, Community Relations, Xcel Energy

Dance Partner: Samuel Gaines

Michelle Griego CBS4 Colorado, KCNC Morning/Noon Anchor

Dance Partner: Michael Battle

Lauren Guthrie

Global DEI & Talent Development, VF Corporation

Dance Partner: Lamar Rogers

Brian Holland Director, Bus. Development, Mortenson

Dance Partner: Samiyah Lynniece

Dakeana Jones-Bishop

Dance Partner: Devrae Jefferson

Meredith Leighty Mayor, City of Northglenn

Dance Partner: Corey Boatner

Laura Nieto Director, Community Outreach, Southwest Airlines

Dance Partner: Cedric Hall

Naquetta Ricks

Colorado HD 40 Representative

Dance Partner: Melvin Sutton

Chris Ross

SVP, Commercial Banking, US Bank

Dance Partner: Jasmine Francisco

Brian Vogt CEO, Denver Botanic Gardens

Dance Partner: Caeli Blake