In this salsa-twist on the hit TV show, six area celebs – three men and three women – are paired up with six of the region's best salsa dance instructors. They have six weeks of rehearsal time to prepare for the showdown on Sunday July 25, at 1:10 p.m. at the Oxnard Salsa Festival.

Community Nonprofits Are the Big Winners
In addition to competing in front of a panel of judges at the Festival, the stars will be dancing for charity. The popular vote will be measured by how much money the public donates to the charity of each star’s choice.

Art Chaparro is Dancing for Aspiranet!

Art Chaparro, Development Director for Aspiranet, works with 21 district offices throughout California. His primary effort is to develop strong relationships between their offices and local community business and community leaders. Through fundraising events and by working with community volunteers, Aspiranet is able to generate "gap funding” needed to enhance programs which are focused on helping children and families. Art is a 2^nd generation Oxnard resident, but currently resides in Long Beach with his wife, Traci. They have one son, David.

Here is a practice session, Art is learing how to spin.

Are is finding his groove.

Aspiranet
Established in 1992, Aspiranet Ventura County supports foster families, birth families, children, and siblings Aspiranent does this through a variety of programs, including its Sibling Connection Initiative, aimed at providing and opportunity for siblings placed in separate foster homes to reconnect.

Additional programming and services include: foster care, foster and relative adoption, intensive in-home support and behavioral services, parent mentoring through Ventura County’s Pathways Differential Response program, and its Transitional Housing Placement Program for emancipating 17-18 year olds.

As an advocate for all children and families served, Aspiranet provides a site for staff for the Partnership for Safe Families and Communities of Ventura County, the Designated Child Abuse Prevention Council. Aspiranet is committed to the promotion of safe, healthy, and peaceful families in Ventura County. For more information, visit www.aspiranet.org or call (805) 289-0120.

Kelly Richardson, Professional Dance Partner
Kelly Richardson is a Salsa dancer, a Salsa teacher, and a Flamenco dancer based in Santa Monica, California.

Kelly was born into a family that loved music and dance.. During her childhood and teenage years, Kelly had classes in ballet, tap, and jazz. She was a stand-up comedian for several years until she began pursuing the study of dance. She trained under the tutelage of Isabelle Pampillo in Santa Monica, and learned the art of performance. She joined Pampillo’s amateur salsa team, Llego el Sabo and after 4 years became a semi-professional with the team.

Kelly also studied under Flamenco teacher, Celina Zambon, who developed the CZ Flamenco Dance Company of which Kelly is currently a member. Just recently, Kelly is joined the Two Ladies Styling Non-partnering Teams: Christina Haggerty’s Ladies in Red, and the Charlene Rose Dance Company.

Kelly teaches salsa in group and private lessons at Isabelle’s Dance Academy in Santa Monica, and performs salsa and Flamenco throughout Southern California. Her future plans are to study in Spain and Cuba to increase the knowledge and experience of her two passions, Salsa and Flamenco.