Out’n’About: Look Who’s Dancing! contestants take center stage at Pan American Center Sunday [Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.]

Oct. 25--Community leaders in Las Cruces are about to go toe-to-toe in a spirited dance contest.

The culmination of months of hard work and dedication, Look Who's Dancing! presents its fifth season at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Pan American Center, 1810 E. University Ave. Local "celebrities," representing a cross-section of careers in the community, are paired with members of NMSU's DanceSport Company, made up of students who are either a major or a minor in dance. The purpose of the event is to promote social dancing in the community as a healthful and enjoyable activity for all ages and skill levels and to benefit the NMSU DanceSport Company.

Contestants are chosen, ultimately, by a selection committee. Nominees come in a variety of ways, whether self-nominated, nominated by a past contestant or nominated by a friend or a spouse.

"We choose our contestants, but sometimes they choose us," said Debra Knapp, director of the dance program at NMSU. "It takes a lot of names to make nine or 10 contestants."

Once chosen, celebrities are matched up with a dancer.

"We usually, almost without fail, pair people according to size, so that they have a really good partnership. We don't want a real tall man with a short woman," Knapp said. "Most of the contestants have never really had any training in dance, so as far as talent, it doesn't really matter who is paired up with who. They are starting from the same level."

Each couple will perform two dances on Sunday. The organizers chose

one dance that all of the women celebrities must perform and one for the males. This year, it is East Coast swing for women and tango for men. The couples choose their second dance, which may include dances like bachata, rumba, nightclub two-step, waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, jive, West Coast swing or the hustle. This flexibility gives them full opportunity to display their chemistry as a couple, their personalities and their talent.

The dancers were responsible for creating the dance routines and instructing their celebrity partners.

"They create the choreography and teach it to their dancers. They get the experience not only of choreographing, but also teaching. That's really good for their growth as professional dancers," Knapp said.

The couples have been practicing since Aug. 20, both on their own and with some instruction from NMSU dance faculty. They also have done two full-costume rehearsals in front of the dance faculty prior to the performance.

"It's a good-natured competition. They get to see each other (at the rehearsals) because, at the show, they aren't watching the other couples," Knapp said.

Competitors will vie for first-, second- and third-place trophies, based on technical and artistic skill. Past winners judge each couple on who has the most entertaining performance for the Entertainment Award. Audience members cast a vote for the People's Choice award.

There will be two exhibition dances by DanceSport dancers -- a group dance and a couples dance performed by Luciano Murasco (paired with Mary Iadicicco in the competition) and his partner, Perla Castillo. The pair placed third at USA Dance Nationals in the Latin dance category in April 2012.

Knapp expressed her gratitude to all of the community leaders who participate in the event each year. She said their willingness to do something foreign to them in order to improve the careers of the dancers says a lot about them as leaders.

"I think the biggest challenge for our community leaders is nerves. They've never done anything like this before, and they step out of their comfort zone to help these students. There is great reward for the dancers," she said, noting that the competition helps to raise a portion of the approximately $45,000 needed to send the DanceSport Company to three competitions each year.

Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for students and may be purchased at the Pan American Center Ticket, at the NMSU Dance Office or from any contestant.

For information, call 575-646-1420 or 575-646-2070.

Pulse Editor Tracy Roy may be reached at 575-541-5424.

If you go

What: Look Who's Dancing!, fifth season

When: 3 p.m., Sunday

Where: Pan American Center, 1810 E. University Ave.

How much: $12, $8 for students

Info: 575-646-1420, 575-646-2070

The contestants

Marina Armendariz

Owner of Gentle Care Pediatrics

She has been practicing pediatrics in New Mexico for 15 years and is the mother of three children, Mia, Cristian and Sara. She's been married to Adrian Armendariz for 22 years. She grew up in Deming, attended NMSU (and was an Aggie cheerleader) and went to UNM for her degree in medicine. She is involved in March of Dimes' High Heels for High Hopes and is currently a board member with the Onate Football Boosters and the All-Star Xtreme Cheerleaders.

Roberta Martinez-Flores

Executive vice president/owner at MECA Therapies

She moved from Taos to attend NMSU at age 18. She and her husband, Jeffery, own MECA Therapies, a rehabilitation company for children and young adults. They have two children.

Janet Honek

Managing member of Sunspot Solar Energy

As a child in Los Angeles, Janet enjoyed making people smile when she danced with local troupes practicing everything from Polynesian to jazz dancing. As a managing member of Sunspot Solar Energy, she enjoys making people smile when they get checks instead of electric bills.

Mary Iadicicco

Agent/Owner at Allstate Insurance

She was born and raised in New Jersey and is married with two sons and one grandson. She and her husband, Jerry, have lived in New Mexico since 2006. She has been in the insurance business for more than 30 years. She learned how to dance when her mother taught her Greek dancing at five years old.

Leonard Jimenez

Owner, Studio 037 Salon

An artist at heart, he loves having fun and dancing. He is co-owner of Studio 037 Salon and is a national technical advisor for Schwarzkopf Professional. He believes in philanthropy and works with several nonprofits, as artistic director for the March of Dimes High Heels for High Hopes, a co-founding member of the Young Philanthropists and traveling internationally delivering supplies with the Becky Fund.

Thera Marshall

On-air personality at Magic 105

He just moved back from Denver, Colo. to join Trinity on Magic 105. Originally from Hobbs, he loves fancy drinks, long walks along arroyos and cuddling next to a toasty fire with his puppy, Crackers. He is a music lover and a fan of good entertainment and good food.

Andrea Romero

Owner of Zia Promotional Products

Her personal love of office and school supplies led her to become owner of Zia Promotional Products. Andrea competes nationally as a National Physique Committee bikini competitor. Her mantra in life is "If you believe in yourself, anything is possible!"

Tom Ruiz

Local musician

A singer and guitar player, he began performing in 1997 with a mariachi group in El Paso. Since then, he has co-founded and performed with various local Spanish guitar trios: Trio Tradicion, Los Bohemios and Los Guapos. Tom serves as liaison to Mexico for the New Mexico Environment Department and also teaches a course at NMSU. Four years ago, Ruiz was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He hopes his participation will raise awareness for the disease. He is married and has two small children.

Nathan Small

City councilor

A third-generation New Mexican, he attended the College of Wooster Ohio and earned dual degrees in English and philosophy. After working on a commercial fishing vessel in Alaska and graduating from college, he returned home, where he began working on conservation issues with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. He was re-elected to a second, four-year term representing District 4 in November 2011. Nathan serves on the EPA's Good Neighbor Environmental Board, is the Board Chair for the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley and serves on the West Mesa Strategic Planning Committee. Nathan is married to Xochitl Torres Small.

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