Benefit planned for Nov. 2 for baby with congenital heart defect

Gotta Dance by Miss Amy will have 3 cabaret shows, basket raffle to help Merklinger family

Provided photo: From left in front include Gabrielle and Luke Merklinger with their son Dean. In back are Denise, Todd, Lauren and Jordan Thomas. The family has been a part of Gotta dance by Miss Amy for about 15 years as dancers and instructors, with Denise teaching piano.

ALBION – For many years Gabrielle Thomas danced and led classes at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy. Many of the young dancers called her Cinderella when Gabrielle, with her flowing blond hair, was an instructor.

Gabrielle’s sisters – Lauren and Jordan also have been dancers and instructors at Gotta Dance – and their mother, Denise, is a piano teacher at the studio on West Bank Street.

Gabrielle is now married to Luke Merklinger, a Rochester police officer. They met at the First Baptist Church in Holley. Gabrielle works as a dental hygienist. The family lives in Irondequoit.

The Marklingers have a 2-year-old son Dean and are expecting a second baby with a due date of Nov. 3.

The soon-to-be born baby will be named Grant. A congenital heart defect has been detected. Gabrielle will leave on Wednesday to travel Philadelphia to give birth at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She will be there ahead of the due date in case the baby is born early.

Grant will have surgery soon after birth. He has a condition called Double Outlet Right Ventricle with malposed great arteries as well as a hypoplastic aorta. He will likely need multiple surgeries to help him survive and improve his quality of life.

To help the family with the costs of travel and care, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy will be hosting three cabaret shows from 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 2. There also will be a basket raffle that day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gotta Dance is located at 28 West Bank St., Albion.

“There are many great things about our community and one of the proudest moments is when we unite to help others,” said Amy Sidari, Miss Amy owner. “Thank you for your love and support.”

She welcomes basket donations for the raffle. Call her or text at (585) 354-232o or email GottaDanceAlbion@gmail.com to arrange a drop off.

The cabaret shows each have about 15 different performers from dance, singing, skits and piano. The three shows are not the same. Some of the performers include comedian Phyl Contestable, the Rev. Mother.

Jack Civiletto and April Mazzone, professional musicians from Buffalo, also will perform at the cabaret shows. Civiletto sings many Sinatra songs while Mazzone covers Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline.

There is also a GoFundMe fundraising page set up for the Merklinger family.

Photo by Tom Rivers: From left include Gotta Dance owner Amy Sidari, Lauren Thomas and Denise Thomas. Gotta Dance will host a benefit on Nov. 2 with a basket raffle and shows at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Lauren is a dance instructor at Gotta Dance and her mother Denise is a piano teacher at the studio.