Boogie Ball is Feb. 14 at TWA Hangar Museum | The Kansas City Star

The first annual Boogie Ball, a fundraising event to promote ballroom dancing among children, is Feb. 14 at the TWA Hangar Museum in Kansas City.

The event’s sponsor, Culture Through Ballroom Dance (CTBD), has provided dance lessons to 3,449 school children in the metro area since 2006.

A major donor supported the program for many years but has moved from the community, said Jennifer Short, CTBD board member. “We have to raise funds so we can continue our mission to bring ballroom dance to the kids in our community.”

The Abel Ramirez Big Band will play at the Boogie Ball. Free waltz and meringue dance lessons will be given. A floor show is planned.

CTBD has taught students in school districts in North Kansas City, Liberty, Grandview, Kansas City, Olathe and Hamilton, Mo.

“We just finished up with the Kansas City School District at East High School teaching children with disabilities; that’s pretty special,” said Short.

The group’s goal is to not only teach dance to school-age children but give them the opportunity to develop social skills, learn about the cultures that gave rise to dance, and experience accomplishment through the art of dance, she said.

The museum opens at 5:30 p.m.; waltz lessons are at 6:15 p.m. and the dance runs from 7 to 10 p.m.

Tickets for the Boogie Ball are $25 each or $350 for a table of 10. Ticket purchase information is at http://cultureballroomdance.com/boogie_ball. For more information, contact Short at jspromoplanner@aol.com. All ages are welcome. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The TWA Hangar Museum is at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, 10 Richards Road, Kansas City, North.