It's what every light-footed northerner wants to see: the 15th annual Dancing with Easter Seals Stars annual celebration that will take place in February 2026.
The popular event, which has become a well-known fundraiser for Easter Seals, is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Feb. 27, 2026 at the Caruso Club in Sudbury.
The event sponsored by Soluroc is called "Battle of the Decades" and will be a gala evening complete with a cocktail hour, Italian dinner, performances by Dance Evolution and a silent auction, all followed by the ultimate dance competition and dance party, said the Easter Seals news release.
Event organizer M.J. Pappin of Easter Seals said the event will be a compelling mix of new and veteran dancers to please the audience.
“We’re shaking things up for the 15th anniversary,” Pappin said in a news release. “We have past competitors returning to raise money and strut their stuff on the dance floor. We have past champions returning to defend their title. We have new participants looking to make their mark and check off this experience on their bucket list for adventure, and we have past hosts and dancers becoming judges and past sponsors/dancers/judges becoming emcees.”
Easter Seals said the special night will honour the longevity of the successful fundraising event in support of children and youth with physical disabilities, reflecting on how the event has grown and become a fan favourite for Sudburians to attend over the past 15 years.
Votes will be accepted online, at the event, and during the livestream of the show. Five awards are up for grabs: the top three dance performances, an audience-voted People’s Choice award and the Top Fundraiser award.
Last year, the Sudbury event raised more than $135,000 and this year organizers look to surpass that goal with nine couples competing while fundraising for Easter Seals kids, said the release.
Locally, the nine dancing stars have met up with their professional dance partners and will soon be rehearsing for their fundraising and dancing debut, said Pappin.
“Everyone collectively involved this year expressed interest in participating in this event which has garnered a following in the community,” Pappin said. “Our Stars engage on social media and share their journey as they prepare for the dance competition, and I expect more of that this year.
"People can appreciate the hard work, dedication and bravery it takes to perform in front of a sold-out crowd. Bringing awareness and raising funds changes the lives of so many children granting them access to essential mobility equipment, services, programs, and summer camp opportunities that help children and youth with physical disabilities reach their full potential and make the most of their abilities. It’s wonderful to see the community come together to support Easter Seals and enjoy an amazing night of dance entertainment 15 years running," Pappin added.
The Dancing With Easter Seals Stars 2026 Roster includes the following:
- Marissa Arnold, Remax Crown Realty with dance pro Rene Gagne;
- Kevin Belanger, Sutton-Benchmark Realty with dance pro Zoi Monroy;
- Matthieu Bonin, Author/Speaker with dance pro Melissa Spencer;
- Ashley Gosselin, City of Greater Sudbury with dance pro John Reynold;
- Victoria Kennedy, Real Broker Ontario Ltd. with dance pro Sky Slywchuk;
- Josh Sarazin, Remax Crown Realty with dance pro Jersey Renay;
- Guy Villeneuve, iA Financial Group with dance pro Dawn Condon;
- Julia Williams, Country 91.7/SWSE with dance pro Gaby Onadja; and
- Ken Wadel, Denis Contracting/Solid Gold Car Wash with dance pro Alexis Teixeira
For more information the event, visit EasterSealsDancing.org.