September 17-18, 2010
Fans of the cult-classic Dirty Dancing will relive memories of Baby's first dance at the inaugural "Dirty Dancing Festival" in the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure, NC on Sept. 17-18, 2010.
Hosted by the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce in Lake Lure, the celebratory weekend will include:
- Lakeside Film Screening (Friday Evening, Sept. 17): Guests will remember the magic of Dirty Dancing while watching the movie against the waterfront site of “the lift” on the original location of Johnny’s cabin.
- The Dirty Dancing Festival (Saturday Afternoon, Sept. 18): This outdoor festival will showcase live music by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (singer and writer of the platinum hit, ‘Stay’ from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack), dance performances by the “A-Lure” Dirty Dancing Review Dancers, Dirty Dancing storytellers, family-friendly games, dance lessons, a dance competition & more!
- The Time of Your Life Gala (Saturday Evening, Sept. 18): Have the time of your life and complete the weekend with an elegant 1960s-inspired gala featuring surprise dance performances from the film, a silent auction of movie memorabilia, a live 1950s/1960s band, and a professional and amateur shag competition.
Named the “#1 Most-Watched Film by Women” in 2009 by the BBC News, Dirty Dancing’s impact on pop culture remains timeless. The film’s ongoing success has resulted in Dirty Dancing: The Musical that was also written by the movie’s original writer Eleanor Bergstein.
Bergstein is currently promoting her musical in five countries, which, according to the musical’s website, has entertained more than five million people. Bergstein told the event producers she is “sure [the event] will be wonderful.”
Go behind the scenes of Dirty Dancing as the Oscar-winning songwriters of the film's most celebrated song, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," and other Dirty Dancing cast and crew share memories of working on the film. Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Don Markowitz, the Oscar-winning songwriters of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" and also "Hungry Eyes" are releasing the original demos of both songs on Sept. 8, 2010. Previte and DeNicola are marking this landmark occasion in Dirty Dancing history with a special tribute to fans at the “Dirty Dancing Family Dance Festival” on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 12:00 p.m. The songwriters will remain on-site to sell demos and sign autographs following the presentation, and a portion of the demo sales will benefit the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Cancer Center. Following the tribute, Previte and DeNicola will join other Dirty Dancing Storytellers and give audience members a true behind-the-scenes look into the making of this Hollywood phenomenon.
The “Dirty Dancing Storytellers” panel discussion, to be led by CBS Scene on 7 reporter Heather Vaughn, includes Spartanburg, S.C. natives Patt & Tom Rocks. The Rocks were among the select few extras who worked every day they were present on the Dirty Dancing set. Patt has numerous stories about the experience, and fondly remembers dancing with Dirty Dancing choreographer Kenny Ortega, most recently famous for choreographing Michael Jackson's This Is It tour.
Tickets for the "Dirty Dancing Festival" go on sale May 1, 2010, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit local arts organizations. For more information, call the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce at 888-625-2725.
Named one of the top 10 most beautiful man-made lakes in the world by National Geographic, Lake Lure is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located about 27 miles from Asheville, Lake Lure sits in the Hickory Nut Gorge, surrounded by lush mountain tops and sheer granite cliffs. Look up to see the famous Chimney Rock.
