"Dancing with the Stars" professional dancer Sasha Farber has sashayed his way onto Pensacola Beach ahead of his July 26 performance at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre for The Greatest Showcase.
Farber has built a following for his time on the competitive dance television series "Dancing with the Stars," where he began as a troupe member and then advanced to a role as one of the show’s pros in season 17. Most recently, Farber was paired with The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran in season 33, where their dances were not only electric but sparked romance rumors off-screen throughout the season.
Still, Farber found a break in his busy schedule to pop by Pensacola to host The Greatest Showcase on July 26, an evening of performances that will benefit the Children’s Home Society’s Healthy Families Program in Escambia County. The show, presented by First Dance Ballroom Studio, owned by Margaret Takacs, will also include a special performance from Farber.
“It is such a fun showcase – the local celebrities get to come out, learn some dancing, who doesn’t love to learn some dancing?” Farber told the News Journal Wednesday. “Margaret Takacs is a phenomenal coach, she has an incredible studio, so everyone is training there. The charity is an incredible charity … I always love coming here every year … just seeing all these local celebrities come out, support each other and just have a good time.”
Now that Farber is in Pensacola, his week is jam-packed with dance. Still, he found some fuel for his day on Wednesday – “a quick double espresso” from Maker’s Coffee in the morning and a custom burger from The Reef on Pensacola Beach for lunch.
Farber collaborated with The Reef owners Cristina and Kevin Flynn to create a fun Burger of the Week, fittingly named the Sasha Farburger, which Farber said is reminiscent of his favorite burger back home in Australia, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, fried egg, barbecue sauce, mayo and American cheese for a “taste of the Down Under.”
“I can’t say I designed it; this is just a typical Aussie burger,” Farber said. “We got mayo, barbecue sauce, fried egg, tomatoes … what could go wrong?”
Did it deliver?
“Delivered, signed, sealed,” Farber said after his first bite.
If you want to try Farber’s perfect burger for yourself, The Reef will offer the Sasha Farburger special through Friday, including during its fifth anniversary party on July 24. During the anniversary party, their original smash burgers will be $5 all day, dine-in only, and their will be other festivities such as limited edition T-shirts, face painting, a photo booth, gift card giveaways and more.
The Flynns said they are grateful to have so many customers coming through The Reef’s doors this week in support of their restaurant.
“I feel so honored,” Cristina Flynn said. “We’re super busy today, so we are always super grateful for that.”
“It's always a blessing when things like this happen for us, being a small business, locally-owned. It’s an honor,” Kevin Flynn added.
Can I still get tickets to see Sasha Farber in The Greatest Showcase?
Yes, The Greatest Showcase begins at 7 p.m. on July 26. Tickets are still available to see Sasha Farber and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, with tickets starting at $44.10.
Which local celebrities will be participating in The Greatest Showcase?
Local celebrities participating in the performance include Bethany Appel, Grace Resendez McCaffrey, Jennifer and Josh Belcher, Kyle Rank, Madeline Cates, Nikki Rice, Megan Caulfield, Amber Scott, Sasha Daneva, Raven Taylor, Tina DeStefano, Jen Wells, Jordan Glass, Adrianna Williams, Bronwyn Naylor and David Peaden.
Keep up with real-time updates on Farber’s adventures in Pensacola by following him on social media.
