KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A beloved community fundraiser is hitting a major milestone this year, as Dancing with the Keene Stars marks its 10th annual show while returning to its original home at Keene High School.

Event co-chairs Sonia Kibbee and Dave Ganio previewed this year’s production during an appearance Saturday on My Keene Now & Next on WKBK Radio, highlighting both the event’s growth and its continued mission to support Keene High School’s Project Graduation.

The 2026 lineup features eight local participants — Shannon Amlaw, Jay Hayston, Erin Dallas Patch, Kris Kleine, Jenny Mackay, Todd Rogers, Aubrey Saxton and Ned Kopczynski — each paired with experienced dance partners to perform choreographed routines after just weeks of preparation.

A local twist on the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, the event relies heavily on audience participation. After watching the first act, attendees vote during intermission to determine the top performers, while a judges’ award is also presented.

Kibbee said many dancers begin the experience with little to no background in dance.

“They come in nervous because it’s outside their comfort zone,” she said during the radio interview. “But by the end, they’re asking if they can do it again.”

Ganio, who has been involved with the production for more than a decade, said the relationships built throughout rehearsals are a defining part of the experience.

“It becomes a family,” he said. “People really connect through this.”

The event serves as one of the largest fundraisers for Project Graduation, which provides a safe, substance-free overnight celebration for Keene High School seniors following commencement. Now in its 37th year locally, the program costs roughly $30,000 annually to operate and is free for students, relying heavily on volunteers and community support.

Kibbee emphasized that fundraisers like Dancing with the Keene Stars are essential to keeping the tradition alive.

“This is what helps make it happen,” she said.

Participants are matched with partners, music and dance styles during a January kickoff, leaving only a short window to prepare for the stage.

“It’s not months and months of rehearsal,” Kibbee said. “They really jump right in.”

Despite the competitive format, organizers stress that the event is designed to be encouraging and fun.

“These people are volunteering their time to help raise money,” Ganio said. “The judges are kind, and the audience really gets behind them.”

The second half of the show will also feature group performances, including routines choreographed by longtime instructors Rich and Pam Clough of Keene Fusion Studios, who have been involved since the event’s inception.

After several years at Keene State College, Kibbee said bringing the show back to Keene High School adds a meaningful full-circle moment.

“It’s exciting to bring it back to where it started,” she said.

Organizers encourage the community to attend, support the dancers and contribute to a program that has become a rite of passage for local graduates.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Kibbee said. “And it’s all for a great cause.”

This year’s performances are scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with doors opening 30 minutes prior to each show. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $17 for students and seniors, with proceeds benefiting the annual all-night celebration for graduating seniors.

Listen to the full interview: