Local dance studios unite to benefit Furbush family

Several local dance groups are teaming up to celebrate the lives of the late Stephen and Kristen Furbush of Canton while raising money for their two young children with an evening of dance on Friday, March 7, at the Norwood Theatre beginning at 7 p.m.

The event, “Why We Dance,” will honor the memory of Kristen, who died of a brain tumor November 11, and Steve, who passed away unexpectedly January 12.

The dancers are members of Dance Out Canton on Neponset Street, Haley School of Irish Dance with locations on the south shore, Hazel Boone Dance Studio on New Boston Drive, the Braintree Academy of Dance, Edge Studio of Dance on Turnpike Street, and the Wolff Sisters, a musical trio from Canton. Melanie Cox, the owner and director of Dance Out Canton, is the producer of Why We Dance.

“Why We Dance is a product of a desire to dance for a good cause,” Cox wrote in an email. “I have been wanting to get our students at Dance Out more involved. We talked seriously over the past two seasons about coordinating a show to benefit an organization. The original idea for Why We Dance was very similar to how it is now. Our intention was always to invite other studios to collaborate. One big difference is that each school was going to donate to their own cause and the profits would be split evenly.”

Kayley Furbush, 6, is in her third year of dance at Dance Out Canton. Cox discussed the idea of holding a dance performance with the other studios that would benefit Kayley and her brother, Patrick. They all decided to unite and dance for the same cause.

Cox said that she knew Kristen only through the studio. She had several conversations with her about Kayley and the studio, and the two exchanged quick hellos; however, she did not know her well and had never met Stephen. But she came up with the idea of holding Why We Dance to benefit the Furbush children. Cox said that Julie Beckham, the drama teacher at Dance Out Canton, has been instrumental in assisting with the fundraiser.

Cox described Why We Dance as an event that is appropriate for children and adults. Refreshments will be available at a concession stand. Organizers will sell Dance Motivated t-shirts to help raise additional funds. They will also have envelopes available for audience members who would like to make an additional donation. All proceeds from Why We Dance will be donated to the Furbush Children’s Fund c/o Wellesley Bank, 40 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Members of the public may make donations to the fund as well.

The concert will take place at Norwood Theatre, 109 Central Street in Norwood. Tickets are $20 per person with a $2 service charge for online ticket orders. For more information, call the Norwood Theatre Box Office at 781-551-9000 or go to www.norwoodstage.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 27 2014. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.