It's showtime at Lakeland College.

It's one of the most anticipated nights of the local social scene, and it's celebrating its fifth year. The Movers & Shakers Gala, with all its style and elegance, its glitz and glamour, is back for 2012.

Nine Sheboygan County "celebrities" will show off their best dance moves to raise money for local charities and nonprofit organizations as part of the Movers & Shakers Gala, a benefit for Lakeland College and The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

This year's dancers will gather on Saturday, May 19, at Lakeland for a star-studded night that will see the college's Todd Wehr Center once again transformed into a beautiful ballroom, including an inviting dance floor, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide the who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

The reception will start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and dancing beginning at 6:45 p.m.

In four years, Movers & Shakers has raised just over $1 million, including a three-year total of $178,500 for local charities and nonprofit organizations.

Again this year, proceeds will benefit Lakeland, the SSO and a charity or nonprofit organization selected by each of the dancers. Last year, more than $100,000 was distributed to the dancers' selected charities.

The celebrities making up the 2012 Movers & Shakers lineup include:

• Mary Amundsen, who owns her own business; she is an Etcetera consultant, representing a clothing line designed out of New York City and is a former college gymnastics coach, will perform the swing. Votes for Amundsen will also benefit Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Sheboygan County.
• Lisa Brotz, who is employed by Plastics Engineering Co. She also operates LB Photography and works as the creative director and webmaster for Richie Morris Racing. She will perform a tap routine. Votes for Brotz will also benefit NOURISH.
• Joshua Gentine, a business strategist and MBA student, will perform the tango. Votes for Gentine will also benefit the Sheboygan and Plymouth Area United Way.
• Sheri Murphy, vice president of services and administration at ACUITY, will perform the swing. Votes for Murphy will also benefit the Mead Public Library Foundation and Safe Harbor of Sheboygan.
• Susan Musgrave, a former piano teacher and director of children's choirs, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Musgrave will also benefit the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center.
• Beth Olsen, an active community leader, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Olsen will also benefit St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Plymouth.
• Barb Quasius, chief financial officer of Windway Capital and a member of several local boards, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Quasius will also benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Sheboygan County and Great Marriages of Sheboygan County.
• Michelle Quasius, an active community volunteer, will perform the hustle. Votes for Quasius will also benefit Bookworm Gardens.
• John Reitz, owner of Better Life Chiropractic and Wellness of Sheboygan and a wellness doctor with Anytime Fitness, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Reitz will also benefit the Wisconsin Naval Ship Association.

You don't have to attend the event to help support the charities. Anyone can purchase votes, at $20 each, for their favorite dancer prior to the event here. These causes and charities receive 50 percent of the proceeds raised from the votes for each dancer on their behalf, so vote early and often.

The celebrities have been paired with a professional dancer, and are in the midst of months of training before they compete to win the support of four judges and what's expected to be another sell-out crowd.

Randy Schwoerer, vice president of business development for Locate Staffing, will serve as host for the evening.

A mouthwatering menu, prepared by Lakeland's Dining Services staff, will feature antipasti, grilled tenderloin with seared scallops, mushrooms, caramelized onion and ragout with roasted peppers, potatoes Anna and tiramisu.

Following the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests and North Coast Orchestra will provide music for the remainder of the evening.

You can also be part of the event buzz by joining dancers, committee members, guests and volunteers on Facebook. "Like" us for regular updates.

If you want to get behind the scenes and help make this evening possible, a number of volunteer opportunities are open to the community. More information is available here.

Sponsored by

Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation Dinner Sponsor	Reception Sponsor
Beverage Sponsor	Electronic Media Sponsor