Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour, and seriously impressive footwork—Dancing with the Stars Quinte (DWTSQ) is back for its 17th annual showdown!
This fan-favourite fundraiser, hosted by Volunteer + Information HPE (VIQ), returns to the Empire Theatre in Belleville on Friday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m. And trust us, this isn’t just a dance competition—it’s a full-blown spectacle.
Who’s Taking the Stage?
Eight dynamic duos have been paired with professional dance instructors, and they’ve been hard at work perfecting their routines. From waltz to salsa, hip-hop to cha-cha, each team will bring their own flair with custom music, jaw-dropping costumes, and a whole lot of personality.
But that’s not all! The night will also feature:
✨ A special performance from last year’s winning team
✨ A high-energy dance studio exhibition
✨ Your chance to cheer like you’ve never cheered before
Meet the 2025 Dance Teams
These competitors are ready to leave it all on the dance floor:
1) Samantha Foley & Jonathan Geller
- Samantha: The Beauty Collective, The Main Character, The Scene, Rah Rah
- Jonathan: Vald Performance, formerly played for the Montreal Canadiens & Toronto Maple Leafs
- Instructor: France – For the Love of Dance
2) Vicki MacDonald & Jared Augustin
- Both representing St. Leonard’s Hastings Prince Edward
- Instructor: Christian Jaehn-Kreibaum
3) Christie Swann & Hunter Conder
- Both representing Pathways to Independence
- Instructor: Daryl Geesey
4) Rhonda Gagne & Roger Phillips
- Rhonda: Retired from Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board
- Roger: Mystical Distributing
- Instructor: Liz Brown – Dance with Miss Liz
5) Jodi Cooper & Victor Cooper
- Jodi: Loyalist College, Creative Way Art Therapy & Creative Facilitation
- Victor: Eighty Twenty Studio
- Instructor: Alicia Sewell – Astounding Heights Dance Academy
6) Krysten Bonisteel & Chris Auger
- Krysten: Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe Inc.
- Chris: Trent Valley Distributors
- Instructor: Krystle Humphrey
7) Hailey MacDonald & Kevin Baker
- Hailey: Starboard Communications
- Kevin: Tucker’s Bar and Grill
- Instructor: Amanda O’Donnell – Astounding Heights Dance Academy
8) Lisa Francis & Chris Blackburn
- Lisa: Re/Max Quinte Ltd., Brokerage
- Chris: Safety Guys Workplace Safety Training
- Instructor: Janaki Lewis
A Fundraiser with Fancy Footwork
While the sparkles and sequins are fun, DWTSQ is more than just a dazzling night out. This is VIQ’s biggest fundraiser of the year, helping to support volunteer recruitment, training, and placement in the Quinte region.
VIQ Executive Director Brenda Snider sums it up best:
“DWTSQ enables us to sustain, enhance, and expand our programming—ensuring vital services continue to thrive. In 2024 alone, we connected over 5,500 volunteers with 298 organizations, contributing millions in human capital savings.”
How to Get Tickets
🎟 General ticket sales begin Wednesday, February 26 at 11 a.m.
👉 Get yours here!
- VIP Admission: $35 + fees
- General Admission: $25/adult + fees
- Youth (12+): $10 + fees
- Child (11 & under): $5 + fees
Want to Get Involved?
For more info on sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Mykayla Harrison, Project & Event Manager at 613-969-8862 or mykaylah@viq.ca.
Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable night—because Dancing with the Stars Quinte is about to bring the house down!