Dancing for Charity

of Bayport is slated to host the first Toys for Tots Choreographer's Showcase Benefit at on Friday, Dec. 9 beginning at 8 pm. 

In lieu of a ticket purchase, attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy which will be given to a child in need as part of the US Marine Corps' popular holiday charity, Toys for Tots. For added spirit, two US Marines will be present at the 90-minute event. 

graduate Daniel Longo and his friend Joseph Crescimanno of Farmingville set out in the summer of 2010 to bring the world of dance to as many people as possible, and thus Arrhythmia Dance Company was founded.

Since then, the young duo (both men are in their early twenties) have scored gigs throughout New York, including a recent performance at the high school, and have big plans for the year to come. 

Longo and Crescimanno serve as choreographers and directors of their 10-person dance company.

The Toys for Tots show will feature more than 100 dancers, many of whom dance competitively for Long Island's academies. 

"This lets the kids focus on something besides a trophy," Longo said.

A handful of Long Island's most prestigious dance academies have agreed to be part of the event, including Bayport's who will perform an excerpt from their popular upcoming performance of The Nutcracker. Arrhythmia Dance Company will showcase an excerpt from their Alvin Ailey theater performance, slated for Thanksgiving weekend, and two excerpts from their show scheduled for July 2012.   

For more information, visit www.arrhythmiadance.com.