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Winnetka mom to dance with Chicago celebrities
Kathy Roeser (left) and her dancing partner Kelly Palmiter rehearse at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Roeser is competing in "Dancing with Chicago Celebrities 2013". | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 22, 2013 6:09AM
WINNETKA — Every year Kathy Roeser and her two teenage boys stick to a pact of trying something outside of their comfort zones.
Next month Roeser will step outside of that zone and onto the dance floor of the Hyatt Regency in Chicago as she takes part in the 2013 edition of Dancing with Chicago Celebrities.
The Winnetka resident and wealth adviser at Morgan Stanley has spent the last two months training for two hours a week at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Glenview. With a little over two weeks before the competition, Roeser has taken her training to the next level.
“We’re really focusing on how we can be competitive and win this,” Roeser said. “Now I feel like the fun has begun. Before it was nerve-racking.”
A few months ago Roeser’s friend and former neighbor, WGN’s Dina Bair, approached her to compete in the corporate challenge of the eighth annual Dancing with Chicago Celebrities charity dance competition.
“She asked me once and I kind of ignored it, and she asked me again,” Roeser said. “I said yes and I knew there was no turning back. I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars and I was told they practice 40 hours a week and I’m only doing two.”
On March 8, Roeser will join such celebrities as Miss Illinois Megan Ervin, NBC’s Stefan Holt, ABC’s Michelle Gallardo and former Chicago Bear Anthony Adams in helping to raise money for the Northwestern Memorial Foundation. The funds raised will be directed to an innovative research effort supporting a breast cancer vaccine trial.
The competition will feature a 1970s theme and Roeser will be performing “the hustle” when she steps on the floor.
“In addition to learning how to dance it’s like deja vu going back to the ’70s and I’m going to have a disco costume,” Roeser said. “The night will have a celebrities dance, the corporate challenge and they’ll have dancing in between these different events. It’ll be a fun night raising money.”
With her rehearsals winding down Roeser can’t wait to perform for her family, friends and those she knows who have battled breast cancer.
“I have a lot of clients and neighbors who have been affected with breast cancer,” Roeser said. “I think this is something they can find a cure for and I think this event will raise a lot of money. They’re all anxious to see what I can do.”
Those interested purchasing tickets to the event can do so by visiting www.amdwcc.org. Donors can also support a dancer by clicking the ‘Support a Participant’ tab on the main page.
