Richard Simmons

Put on your short-shorts and get ready to boogie - that is if you wanna have some fun on the dance floor for a good cause. Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation (PMHF) has scored the inimitable Richard Simmons to lead its first ever Dance To Conquer Cancer fundraiser on February 12. That's in the afternoon, then in the evening, disco queen Gloria Gaynor will be the guest performer at the Boogie Nights fundraising dinner and dance.

"Our goal is to conquer cancer in our lifetime," PMHF president and CEO said in a statement. "We hope that our Dance to Conquer Cancer fundraiser will inspire those touched by cancer, while offering people a one-of-a-kind, engaging event using the elements of dance and disco! It's a great way to start off the New Year with some fitness and family fun and support for an important cause." 

Taking place at the Paramount Conference and Event Centre in Woodbridge, Ont., just north of the city, Disco Days participants will move and groove to music from the 1970s and 1980s from noon until 4 p.m.

Simmons will lead an estimated 500 registrants to "Sweat to the Oldies" with his style of dancersize, while So You Think You Can Dance Canada choreographer Blake McGrath will lead a dance workshop and teach two disco dances for everyone to perform together.