Dance night away in Boulder Creek

The third annual Boulder Creek Fall Dance promises a good time for a good cause in its first year as a fundraising event.
The dance is set for Nov. 7 at the Boulder Creek Recreation Hall, and all of the proceeds will go to benefit the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University and the Palo Alto Ronald McDonald House.
“My family has experienced these services, and they have been a blessing to us,” said Amber Blavin, dance organizer. “I wanted to be able to give back.”
The money will go directly to services that support families with sick children, she said.
Blavin, a dance instructor, lives in Boulder Creek and is active in the Boulder Creek Family Network. This is her third run at putting on the dance, and she has been hard at work planning for six months. This year, the goal is to rake in the ducats.
Two years ago, Blavin took a loss of about $300 after money spent on supplies and promotions. Last year, she broke even.
“I want to make money this time,” she said.
During the summer, Blavin grew blackberries and made them into jam, which she sold to raise money for the dance. She has also sold See’s candy, which donated chocolate bars to the endeavor.
The dance was born out of Blavin’s desire for a local place to shake it. That want became especially pertinent after the birth of her son, which made it challenging for the 12-year dancing veteran to travel over the hill to dance.
“Instead of missing dance, I wanted to bring it closer to home,” said Blavin, who has taught at the Boulder Creek Recreation Hall for three years.
The first hour of the event will feature beginning-level line dance lessons and a country two-step.
Music will be provided by a local volunteer band, The Beach Cowboys, and a deejay who will spin Top 40 hits, including Lady Gaga and the Black-Eyed Peas. Volunteers are still needed to help set up and clean up, Blavin said.
“It’s something everyone can participate in and have a good time,” she said. “And it’s for a good cause.”
For more information: www.dancebecauseyoucan.com.
At a glance
• WHAT: Boulder Creek Fall Dance
• WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
• WHERE: Boulder Creek Recreation Hall, 13333 Highway 9
• TICKETS: Adults, $10 before Monday, Nov. 2, or $12 after; youths age 18 and younger, $6. Tickets can be bought at the rec hall or EventBee.com. Proceeds will go to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities.