(lively music) - Dance for Life Nation uses dance as a tool to improve mental health for everyone, and it's inviting everyone to dance the night away at a posh New Year's ball.

Now Mandy Turner is here to tell us more.

Hi, Mandy, thanks for being here.

Okay, first, I want you to talk about the connection between dancing and mental health.

- Okay.

So, dancing, it's actually been shown that studies or studies have shown us that dance actually releases happy endorphins, and it also reduces pain and reduces onset dementia.

- Okay, so it's very, very good for us, yeah.

And I know you've got this big gala coming up, and it's in the Capitol Rotunda, that's huge.

- Yes, yes, we are so excited for it, and especially where it's at.

So it's a local landmark, everybody know where it knows where it's at, so yeah.

- But you've got like massive entertainment at this thing.

- Oh yes.

Yes, we do have massive entertainment at this thing.

We have several guest appearances.

One specifically Nigel Ly, oh.

Ooh.

Nigel Lythgoe.

Yeah, from So You Think You Can Dance, and he is also known for American Idol as well.

We also have Thayne Jasperson from Hamilton.

And we have a master violinist.

We have live dancing for, with the City Jazz later that day as well.

- So you've got everything for people to ring in the new year, plus you've got dinner.

- Yes, yes.

We will have a elegant buffet-style type dinner, and everybody can dress up for it, so.

- Oh, that's great.

And tell me where the proceeds go because it's also for a good cause.

- Sure, yeah.

All proceeds actually go back into the Dance for Life Suicide Awareness Prevention and Good Mental Health programs.

Mostly focusing on assemblies and afterschool clubs, which help with anti-bullying, building self-esteem, also inclusion, and volunteering, and kind of that whole self-awareness, and stomping out the stigma and the importance of mental health.

So it's very good for our youth.

- That's great.

So it's a great way to celebrate the New Year's end, do good while you're doing it.

- Yes, yeah.

- So thanks for being here.

- Yeah, thank you.

- And if you'd like to know more about that upcoming New Year's Eve Dance for Life Nation Gala Masquerade Ball, it's December 30th at 6:00 PM, just go to danceforlifenation.org.

That's danceforlifenation.org.

I'm Mary Dickson, thanks for watching Contact.

(lively music) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

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