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Ken Johnston competes in Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off

Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off will be held April 13
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Contributed photo by Christine Moore Celebrity dancer Ken Johnston and professional dancer Kathie Ironside have teamed up.

KEN JOHNSTON

The tables have turned for Ken Johnston, a past judge for Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off, who will take to the dance floor on April 13.

“I’ve kind of come full circle. Now I get to be judged, which is kind of funny. I guess I’ve seen it now from both sides,” said the Red Deer city councillor.

Johnston said he thought he was in shape for the competition before training started. Turns out, professional dancers make it look too easy.

“Getting the body to do things it hasn’t done before, the feet to move in a certain pattern, and your hips, your shoulders, your facial expression, your hands — that’s been very difficult,” said Johnston, 64.

“I’ll tell you, it’s quite a workout, but it’s fun. It’s really been a blast.”

He said when he heard that money raised this year goes to Friends of the Red Deer Hospital Centre, he couldn’t say no when asked to be one of the eight celebrity dancers.

“Any hospital cause is near and dear to my heart. I lost my wife a couple of years ago to heart disease and got to really know a lot of the hospital staff and really got to know the work that the Friends of Red Deer Hospital are doing. These guys are the unsung heroes of the hospital.”

Johnston said he has probably attended every Dance Off since it started in 2012. Over $2.5 million has been raised through the years, making it a premier Red Deer event.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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