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Down To Disco

Laura Cimino of Guys and Dolls Dance Studio instructing the dancing attendees at Community Helping Hands’ second annual themed party. Photos by Daryl Simons Jr.

MAYVILLE — There was a groovy trip to the past, to the decade of disco in Mayville. And plenty of people joined the journey back in time, equipped with Afros large and small, glasses that glimmer in the light, ditto with the costumes and costumes of various legendary characters from that era.

“Last year we did our first fundraiser ‘Back to the Future,’ which was based in the ’80s. So we decided to take it back another few years to the 70s,” said Tami Berg, executive director of Community Helping Hands.

This disco-themed party was the second annual themed event by Community Helping Hands and was hosted at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. The funds raised at the event goes to Community Helping Hands, which allows the group to continue services to the “poor and the needy,” Berg said.

“It’s been wonderful — we have a great team. I really enjoy working for an organization that’s just all about loving people,” said Britta Brown, chairperson of the board for Community Helping Hands.

Along with disco dancing, plenty of songs from the ’70s were also featured, from Freddie Mercury’s “Somebody to Love,” to “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John. At one point, people began clapping along to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”

Three attendees at this year’s 1970s Disco Party dressed up as the “Coneheads.”

Moreover, a photo booth was also provided so attendees could formally document their thematic costume apparatus. Some of the standout costumes were the “Coneheads,” the Oompa Loompas from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and a gentleman who dressed up as John Travolta from “Saturday Night Fever.”

For next year’s party, the group plans on asking for feedback as to what theme people would want for it. But for this year’s party, the highlight was the person who brought the dance floor alive, teaching the attendees some moves from the 1970s.

“My mother was the disco queen. Back in the ’70s, she was teaching everybody how to dance. She was the disco diva, the disco queen, the dance instructor for the 70s… It’s all so surreal because my mother did it, and now, I’m doing it. And that’s what this is about,” said Laura Cimino, owner of Guys and Dolls Dance Studio.

Cimino was particularly excited about being able to give back to Jamestown through dance, and to be able to help out Community Helping Hands, and she asks, “they help everybody, so why shouldn’t we help them?”

Berg emphasized her appreciation for all those who helped and sponsored this year’s event.

“It’s been absolutely amazing. Our board drives this, so working with all of the wonderful talents they have, and drive and dedication they have is just amazing,” Berg said.

For more information on upcoming events, or inquiries on how you can help out, Community Helping Hands can be found online at their website www.chhny.com, on Facebook, or by phone at 640-3450.

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