Jazzercise for the Cure -- The Results

I could not make it through Breast Cancer Awareness Month without doing my part for the cure! About six weeks ago, Jazzercise Inc. District Manager, Judy Carson, Donna Gore-Frieburger, Jeri Saper, Terri Bartlett, and I began talking about organizing a Jazzercise event benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Our group along with Judith Gann soon turned into a committee organizing Austin’s Jazzercise For the Cure.

Sometimes events were meant to happen--Jazzercise for the Cure is one of those events. Everything came together and the event raised money for the fight against breast cancer, while creating as sense of community among the Jazzercisers of SWTX and the generous sponsors and vendors. I sincerely could not have asked for more. This event was bigger than my desire to do something for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are the highlights:

We spent only four weeks completing tasks including, setting the class schedule, coordinating instructors, aligning advertising, acquiring sponsors, selecting vendors, and encouraging participants.
In the end, 350 women and a handful of men gathered at the Hyatt Austin at Town Lake and raised over $50,000 for the fight against breast cancer.

I have to give a “shout out” to my co-emcee and Jazzercise Inc. Vice President of International and Corporate Events Kenny Harvey.
It is known that where Kenny goes, laughter will follow. Kenny is on top of his game and has fun doing it. I loved emceeing with Kenny, and definitely learned some tricks of the trade backstage.

I taught the first routine of the event. I have to say that before I got on stage to start the festivities with Kenny, the crowd seemed sparse.
But by the time I started the first stretch in the first routine the room was packed and the energy level was through the roof. For the next three hours, we danced to the music of Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield, Keith Urban, and more.

During one of the intermissions the Junior Jazzercisers of Austin performed and adorable routine to Peanut Butter and Jelly Time – they were so cute and had more rhythm than I could muster in my tweens.


I have to give a special thanks to the Founder and CEO of Jazzercise, Judi Sheppard Missett who generously taught our finale class. We were delighted when Judi agreed to attend our event.
Not only did she teach a power packed, fun-filled class, but she also was supported the local instructors by watching the two classes prior, and did a meet and greet with the participants. When you meet Judi and take one of her classes, you know why Jazzercise has such longevity and just completed its’ most successful year ever.


The success of this event would not have been possible without our sponsors: Hyatt Regency Austin on Town Lake, Persidea, The Waters, Armadillo Clay & Supplies, Anna Maria’s Boutique, and Premier Atelier.

I can’t wait until Jazzercise for the Cure 2007!
- RXW