Cougars Take to Catwalk to Raise Money for Dakota Choirs

The choirs will give community members “A Glimmer of Hollywood” Oct. 4 as part of the program’s annual fall fashion show fund-raiser.

A combination fashion show and shopping extravaganza, the event will feature Dakota choir students modeling the latest fashions while local vendors sell their wares to those in attendance. 

“It’s a fun night and guests can do a little bit of early Christmas shopping as well as see the latest fashions and support the choirs of Dakota,” said Lisa Bialowas, a member of the choral parent group. “You can do everything at once: shop, have great food, see great fashions and support the choirs.”

Tickets for the event are $40 per person or $320 for a table of eight. Proceeds from the event’s ticket and raffle sales go to support the needs of all six Dakota choirs.

“We don’t have a trip this year – last year the choir went to New York – but there are a lot of things the choir needs,” Bialowas said. “They need new folders for their music on stage, some new uniforms” and countless other odds and ends the choir can only purchase through its fund-raising efforts.

A total of 30 students will participate in this years show, modeling a variety of outfits from stores such as JC Penny, Aerie, Rue 21 and Dakota’s own school store, The Cougar Den.

“(The fashion show) last year was so much fun,” Bialowas said. “The kids loved it and it was well received by those who attended. Everybody that came last year said, ‘Please tell us you will do this again because we want to bring more people.’”

While the event sold about 220 tickets last year, Bialowas said event organizers are hoping to sell 250 tickets this year and continue to grow the event.

Zuccaro’s Banquet Center in Chesterfield will open all its rooms for the event and up to 25 vendors will have the opportunity to sell their wares. Vendors can rent space at the event for $75 and while that fee goes toward the choir, Bialowas said vendors do keep all profits from sales.

The evening begins at 5 p.m. with shopping and basket raffles. A sit-down dinner follows at 6:45 p.m. and the fashion show begins at 8:30 p.m.

For tickets or table rental, contact Becky Thompson at 586-212-2860.