View the video performance of "I Will Survive" sung by Lisa Zimmer, Mari Allen and Katrina Kehl.

Click on photos to see larger versions.

The Family Dance performances included red-hot set from Chasing Maya (a rock band of 9- to 12-year-olds), followed by Greek Wooden Buddha, who also played "house band" for the Open Mic Session featuring a string of incredible performances by parents and teachers alike. Performers and songs included (in order of appearance):

• Chasing Maya, featuring Edna's Ryan and Reed Felder (5th and 4th)
• Greek Wooden Buddha, including Maddy Toy's (5th) dad, Tommy
• Pamela Connelly Fink, Katarina's (1st) mom singing "When The Sun Comes Out"
• Ashley Harr and Teresa Shern, 5th Grade Teachers singing "(5th Grade) Living on a Prayer" with Maddy Toy (5th) on keyboards
• Gordo Drysdale, Miles and Monroe's (3rd and 2nd) dad playing lead guitar and singing "Blues Stay Away"
• Rob Thomure, Faryn's (2nd) dad playing lead guitar on "Hard To Handle"
• Steph Ryder, Brooks' (4th) mom playing keyboards and singing "Love Song"
• Craig Collins, Mason's (5th) dad playing guitar and singing "Slow Down" in a duet with Scott Mathews, Ava's (5th) dad, who also played guitar and drums on "Wipeout"

Closing the night were special group performances of:

• "We Will Survive", sung with new Edna-fied lyrics by Mari Allen (Mika and Lucy's Mom, 3rd and 1st), Katrina Kehl (Maddie and Ian Pratt's Mom, 5th and 2nd), and Lisa Zimmer (yes, that Lisa!)
• And "Copacabana" performed by Nicole Friedman (5th) and her mom Debbie Friedman, Megan Lindsay (5th) and her mom Val Lindsay, and Ava Mathews (5th) and her mom Kolleen Mathews.

When the last dollar was counted, the dance had raised an impressive $1,928 for Common River! Founder Donna Sillan came back to Edna Maguire on March 6th to thank the fifth graders for the wonderful donation to Common River. Donna said that the news of how well the fundraiser went, "... brought tears to my eyes! I can't believe it! That is simply amazing. One night, one school, and they raised that much! They are powerful kids!"

Donna also told the fifth graders exactly how the money will be spent:

36 supplies for students: $108
9 student tables: $630
3 school tables: $90
1 teacher's desk: $50
1 shelves set: $500
5 school windows: $250
3 school doors: $300
Total: $1,928

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A Greek Wooden Thanks?

Dear Edna Maguire,

On behalf of our band, Greek Wooden Buddha - Jeff Snow, Tony Perez and I - we would like to send our heartfelt thanks to the parents, kids and staff of Edna Maguire for being such an amazing audience and making us feel so welcome at the Family Dance.  It has always been an honor to play at Edna, for such great causes, but this Family Dance was, well, magical.

A quick shout out to Chasing Maya, the hardest rocking band that can't drive a car yet, and to all the acts who played with us on stage - you are all rock stars.

Thank you to the unsung (no pun intended) hero of the show, Nancy Felder, whose tireless efforts to promote and recruit talent for the show was what made the show the huge success it was.

One final note - I just wanted to say a very special thanks to my daughter Maddy Toy, who helped make her Dad's dream of jamming together with her on-stage at a rock concert come true.  Maddy, I don't know how you did it - but you rocked it like a pro.  I'm so proud of you.

To the 5th Grade - we'll see you at Middle School next year.  To Edna Maguire - we'll miss you - keep on rockin'!

Peace & Love,

Tommy Toy
On Behalf of Greek Wooden Buddha