P-R-E-S-E-N-T-I-N-G

 

GARY CASTEN

 

What do Lucille Ball and Gary Casten have in common?? They were both born in Jamestown, New York with wholesome beginnings……and both developed extraordinary stage talent dedicated to entertaining people around the globe with comedy, dance and song.

 

High school and college launched theatre acting parts and stage production experience for Gary, ultimately propelling him out of Jamestown as a member of a seven piece show band—“The Collage” hitting the road performing at the hottest clubs on the East Coast with stellar “Sold-Out” shows at the world renown Waldorf Hotel and the famed Playboy Club of New York City. The Marriott Hotels featured the group in Washington DC, New York and New Orleans. (Gary even has a personal letter from J.W. Marriott,  Sr. proclaiming the excellent showmanship of “The Collage.”)  They ended their smash tour closing at the infamous Jockey Club in New York City.

 

Gary was a pioneer in “Dancing and ‘Singing’ with the Stars”….he shared the stage early on with Debbie Reynolds, Phyllis Diller and Connie Haines. Big Band singer with Harry James as well as several rock ‘n roll legends including Joey Dee and the Starlighters, The Platters, The Coasters and Wolfman Jack.

 

Many charities have benefited from Gary’s generous heart. He unselfishly donated his time and talent to a wide range of benefits and fundraisers such as, Earth Day, the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, the Arthritis and Spinabifida Foundations, and various AIDS Organizations. He also lent his production skills to the John R. Benefit “The Roots of Rhythm and Rock” at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, TN. A tribute to the legendary DJ at WLAC was saluted by B.B.King, James Brown, Charlie Daniels, Roy Acuff and more.

 

Gary’s ‘Happy Feet’ led him to ballroom dancing as an Arthur Murray educated instructor.

He owned and operated his own school for 10 years. He competed in exhibition dancing and judged on a national level. His love of dance continues through coordination and production of fundraisers with local, regional and national organizations and societies, with dance competitions and exhibition dancing to not only raise money but to also raise the awareness of the benefits of 'movement'...for health and vitality and to continue the belief in "magic"  ...like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz:  Just believe, click your heels together three times, and know that all things are possible.