Dance academy to hold benefit for injured dancer
Alexis Vargas (Courtesy of JAS Dance Academy)
By MELODY KARPINSKI / Santa Rosa Correspondent
The JAS Dance Academy will be holding a dance benefit for the families of Alexis Vargas and Cristina Torres on January 25.
Vargas and Torres, cousins from Santa Rosa, suffered serious injuries in a pre-Christmas car crash in Mexico that took the life of Torres’ mother.
“We are holding a dance benefit for these families, and 100 percent of the funds will be donated to the girls,” said Jose Santemaria, director and founder of JAS.
Vargas, 17, is a dancer on one of the teams at the JAS academy. Vargas remained hospitalized in San Francisco as of January 9, after being transferred from a hospital in northeastern Mexico.
Support for Vargas and Torres has been flowing in from all over the county, including the JAS benefit.”We all know how hard financial strain can be on a family,” said Santamaria.
The benefit will feature live performances, DJs, food, drinks and raffle prizes. The event will occur on Friday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at the JAS Dance Academy on 3181 Cleveland Ave., Suite E. A $10 minimum donation is requested. For more information, call 293-4292 or email salsa@jasdance.com. salsaandbachata.com.
To read more about the car crash involving Vargas and Torres, click here.
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We read the story on the other page, what a terrible accident but we are thankful to see their community band together for their quick recovery. And a big thank you to the wonderful doctors who were able to save both Vargas’ eye and leg. Its truly a terrible tragedy, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families and we hope for a full recovery