Ballroom Wheelchair competition to be held at Cheryl Burke Dance Studio in Mountain View on August 24

     Cheryl Burke Dance studio at 1400 North Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View welcomes the American DanceWheels Foundation (ADF) for its first Northern California Ballroom Wheelchair Dance Competition on Friday, August 24, 5 to 7 p.m.

      The public is invited to attend the competition, free of charge.

      “This inspiring event is a first for our studio,” studio founder Cheryl Burke, the two-time “Dancing with the Stars” champion, said.  “Melinda Kremer, executive director of American DanceWheels Foundation has partnered with the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital. The Center is researching how wheelchair dancing might become a key part of rehabilitation.”

       ADF offers a one-of-a kind program that trains individuals with disabilities, their able-bodied partners, ballroom dance teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists in Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin Dancing, including salsa, rumba and tango.

       This week ADF is concluding a six-week series of dance lessons and instructor certification at locations in Oakland, Palo Alto and San Jose. The culmination and final highlight for the current Bay Area program is the competition this Friday night.

        Cheryl Burke Dance is one of the largest Northern California dance complexes, encompassing three studios with a total of 14,040 square feet where a broad range of dance classes are taught and a variety of activities and events are held.

      For info: cherylburkedance.com, click “special events” or (650) 864-9150.

      View a special YouTube message where Cheryl Burke talks about the competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0kC1A1djcQ