Oh, to be Cleo Parker Robinson. Her life must never be boring. She is a meteor of energy, light, positivity, creativity and talent. When you look up “dance” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Cleo Parker Robinson. Icon, inspiration and legend, Ms Robinson’s dance company is the epitomy of what creativity in dance means.
Guests gathered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on Tuesday to kick off the 14th year of Denver Dancing with the Stars, but it wasn’t your ordinary subtle reception. It was pulsing with excitement and happiness. The new crew for 2024 was introduced, and no doubt when they take the stage on August 10, they will have put in hours of commitment and dedication with their professional dance partners and most likely will be walking a little lighter.
Guests heard from CPRD President and CEO Malik Robinson, board chair Gwen Brewer and event co-chair Morris Price, all following suit with enthusiasm and panache.
The Denver Dancing with the Stars production benefits CPRD’s Arts-in-Education programs, which benefit youth by promoting self-confidence, addressing stress, and fostering health through the joy of dance. And all this unfolded alongside preparations for the unveiling the next day of the new 25,000-square-foot wing that connects to their landmark building and solidifies CPRD’s presence in their historic neighborhood.
The 2024 lineup includes:
- Robert Kenney
- LaTonya Lucy
- Devin Simms
- Pat Duncan
- Michelle Barnes
- Jocelyn Hittle
- Andrea Miller
- Sam Unell
- Brian Fitzpatrick
- Mahes Prasad
- Huy Pham
- Elias Diggins
- Terrance Carroll
- Dave Aguilera
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- CPR dancers Zinnia McKenna, Michael Battle and Katie Carothers
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- Dancers Melvin Sutton, Gabriela Maduro and Lauren Slaughter
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- Mizraim Cordero, left, and David Espinosa
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- Hillary Harding, dance alum Chris Ross and Edward Cannon
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- Dancers Samiyah Lynnice and Corey Boatner with Nancy Alterman
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- Dancing with the Stars co-chair Morris Price, left, and CPRD President and CEO Malik Robinson
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- Cedric Hall and Gabriella Shead
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- Michael Battle, Malik Robinson and Katie Carothers have a chat
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- Helen Bradshaw, left, Rosalind “Bee” Harris, Cedric Pride
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- Malik Robinson and CPRD co-founder Schyleen Qualls
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- Dance alums Chris Ross, Meredith Leighty and Brian Holland
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- Denver Museum of Nature and Science provided some scrumptious appetizers
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- Moses and Gwen Brewer–she has been instrumental and an inspiration for the Dancing with the Stars event
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- Dancer Huy Pham and Destiny Morales
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- 2024 dance recruits: Robert Kenney, left, Mahes Prasad, Brian Fitzpatrick, Jocelyn Hittle and Andrea Miller
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- Dancer LaTonya Lacy, left, Gwen Brewer and Cedric Pride
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- Barry Burch, left, Frenchie and LaTonya Lacy and dancer Elias Diggins
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- Shale Wong, left, and dancer Jasmine Valencia
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- Dancers Dave Aguilera and Sam Unell
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- Dancer Caeli Blake and Cleo Parker Robinsons
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- Ace photographers Damon Sefic and Larry Alexander
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- Meredith Leighty, Cleo Parker Robinson and dancer Lamar Rogers
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- Dancers Michael Battle and DJ Jefferson with Cleo
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- Force-of-nature Cleo Parker Robinson
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- Shale Wong, Zinnia McKenna, Jasmine Valencia and Cleo
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- Cleo with Gabriella Shead
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- The 2024 Denver Dancing with the Stars troupe
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- Denver Dancing has already started
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- Moses Brewer with Pat Smith
