Nicole Marquez, YOU CAN'T STOP THIS DANCER Benefit!

On Saturday, August 30, the unimaginable happened.

Nicole Marquez, a talented dancer, actor and personality from Madison, Mississippi fell six stories from the roof of her New York apartment building. She was not found until the next day. The vivacious 25-year-old broke her neck, back, pelvis, ribs and punctured her lung--yet her mind and spirit soar!

Nicole spent nearly four weeks in the neuro-ICU of New York Presbyterian Hospital before being airlifted to Jackson. She spent three and a half weeks at Select Specialty Hospital and is now entering her fourth week at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center, with several more weeks to go.

The medical bills are enormous. You can help offset those bills and show your support by attending one or more of the many benefits that are planned in the next two weeks. To purchase tickets or to make a donation, log on to www.YouCantStopThisDancer.com, or go to Beemon Drugs in Maywood Mart, SummerHouse in the Township at Colony Park on the Highland Colony Parkway, Green Oak Nursery on Old Canton Road or One Blue Wall art gallery on the first floor of the Fondren Corner Building on North State Street. You can also call Jef Judin at 601-209-3093 or Susan Luke at 601-842-5219.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 7-11pm
Dancing and Draw Down at the Country Club of Jackson
Dance the night away to the melodious tunes of Lisa Palmer, Rhonda Richmond and Jewel Bass. Marlena Duncan and Duncan Dance will perform a special dance tribute for Nicole. Scrumptious buffet, cash bar. Only $50.00 per person (please purchase tickets in advance).

For an additional $100, purchase a draw down ticket! A reverse raffle where the person holding the last ticket drawn wins an all-expense paid trip to Belize! Other wonderful prizes to be awarded to lucky winners along the way! Draw-down tickets may be purchases at the event.

And that’s not all! Area artist, including Bill Dunlap and Tony DiFatta, have pieces for sale with a portion of--or all of--the proceeds going toward the Nicole Marquez Medical Fund. Works for sale include paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and much more!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2-4pm
Southern Living at HOME party at Green Oak Nursery
The home products division of Southern Living magazine, Southern Living at HOME features beautiful products for decorating, entertaining and organizing. Special guest speaker will be Gail Pittman, the creative director of Southern Living at HOME. Also, demonstrations by the talented florists at Green Oak, who will show how to do arrangements for Thanksgiving and Christmas in your favorite Southern Living at HOME pieces.

Enjoy delicious refreshments and register to win one of the many great door prizes which will be given away. Place your orders for holiday decorating and entertaining, and for holiday gift giving. NO CHARGE…bring your friends for a fun and festive afternoon in a beautiful holiday setting. Green Oak is located at 5900 Old Canton Road, next to Parham Bridges Park.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 8-10pm
Drum Circle and Dance at 121 Studios
Drumming…dancing…a fun and unique evening of activities at the 121 Studios, located at 121 Millsaps Avenue. Everyone who wants to may participate! At 8pm, 15 or more drummers will encircle Nicole, playing their healing beats for her! Improvisational choreography by the Belhaven Dancers. Don’t miss the favorite tunes of DJ Nickyjoos (aka Nicole Marquez) for a fun-filled dance party of inspiration, mind and spirit! BYOB. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online or at the door.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2-5pm
“You’ve Gotta Move!” Show and Youth Sock Hop at Hal & Mal’s
Here’s one for the kids! “You’ve Gotta Move” is a series of DVD’s produced by 4Tell Films for elementary-aged kids to use in the classroom to get moving! Fun songs and dance routines that can be done next to the desk, the idea is to get kids moving to fight childhood obesity. Nicole Marquez served as associate producer of the series, and personally worked with the kids in the video. Come see the kids who adore Nicole so much perform their dances, and learn the moves for yourself. Lots of kid-friendly entertainment and activities! Tickets are $5 per person, for both adults and kids, and can be purchased online or at the door.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 7pm to 1am
An Evening of Blues and Rock at Hal & Mal’s
This will be a memorable evening with first-class entertainment! Bobby Rush, Eddie Cotton, Grady Champion, The Pates, Patrick Harkins, Brian Fuente, Derrick Martin and Red Hill City will provide entertainment! Dancing and fun the whole night long! Tickets are $15 per person, and may be purchased online or at the door. (Nicole herself will be there, so we are asking that this be a NO SMOKING event. Thanks.)

PLUS, don’t miss the Artist Alley, with works for sale by several area artists! Paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and much more…with some or all of the proceeds going to the Nicole Marquez Medical Fund.

For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to www.YouCantStopThisDancer.com or call Jef Judin at 601-209-3093 or Susan Luke at 601-842-5219.