Atlanta Midtown and Duluth Fred Astaire Dance Studios are getting a visit from one of the world’s most famous dancers – “Dancing with the Stars,” Tony Dovolani. This dancing pro is on a mission to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and how local seniors can boogie to better brain health. Tony is wants to spread the word that dance can reduce dementia and increase brain function for older adults!
Currently, an estimated 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. However, an encouraging study in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals seniors who participated regularly in ballroom dance experienced a 76 percent risk reduction in dementia, the highest reduction of any activity in the 20-year project.
Dance therapy helps seniors:
Reduce risk of dementia
Develop new neural connections for better long and short-term memory
Improve mental health and well-being
Season 15 “Dancing with the Stars” Champion Tony Dovolani is coming to town on Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th to teach a weekend of ballroom dance lessons at the local Grand Re-Opening of two Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Midtown Atlanta (887 West Marietta St., NW, STE J105, Atlanta, GA) and Duluth (4317 Abbotts Bridge Rd #2, Duluth, GA).
Lessons are open to the public and will follow all CDC and local health and safety guidelines. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the local Alzheimer’s Association in Atlanta and its mission to provide care and support to those suffering from Alzheimer’s while also funding ground-breaking research for this heartbreaking disease.
“Dance is such a beautiful way to exercise your mind and body,” says Tony Dovolani. “It’s incredibly important for people at any age to exercise, but it’s vital for people as they get older. Ballroom dancing is a great option for older adults! It’s low impact physically while also engaging their memory to recall the steps. There’s so much joy in teaching older adults to ballroom dance.”
Dovolani made headlines when he announced he was officially leaving “Dancing with the Stars” after 22 seasons but keeps busy promoting the health benefits of dance and working with his own charity, The Tony Dovolani Foundation.
“Tony is such a terrific spokesperson for ballroom dancing, and we are thrilled to partner with him to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Tim Brooks, owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Atlanta Midtown and Duluth.
For more information about Fred Astaire Dance Studios, visit: https://www.fredastaire.com/.
Co-founded in 1947 by the legendary Fred Astaire, our studios set the standard of excellence in dance instruction. Fred Astaire Dance Studios has Ballroom and Latin style dance lessons for all ages and abilities in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Our unique method of instruction will allow you to learn dances from the Foxtrot to Salsa faster and more easily than you could anywhere else. Our mission is to enrich the lives of anyone and everyone who is associated with our company and to become your community dance studio.