The fourth annual Catwalk for Charity to benefit Ryan Miller’s Steadfast Foundation took the Town Ballroom back to the nifty fifties Sunday night. "Sock hoppers," "daddy-o’s" and "hep cats" cooled their jets and jived the night away with the Steadfast “Rebels for a Cause.”

“We wanted something people could really get into,” Ryan Miller explained. “With something as popular as the fifties style, music, and culture, people can get involved, instead of feeling like they’re just spectators.” Why did they go from last year’s Roaring 20’s theme to the Nifty Fifties for the fourth installment? “The thirties and forties are sort of downers,” Miller said with a laugh. “The Great Depression, World Wars. . . we didn’t need to get into that. People like to have a good time, and the fifties are a lot of fun.” 

The Catwalk for Charity is always a “hip bash” with live music, playful banter by emcee Janet Snyder of Kiss 98.5, both silent and live auctions and the highlight, a fashion show by the Buffalo Sabres and friends. The show included vintage fashions from the fifties and today’s hottest styles from Miller’s own store, the Refinery. Rick Jeanneret, long-time Sabres announcer even made a special appearance in a poodle skirt and wig, shaking his stuff at the end of the runway as a special surprise for the crowd.

Organizer Therese Forton-Barnes shed some light on the unique atmosphere of the Catwalk: “We offer things nobody else does. Our auction items, like a photo with Ryan in the net, designing your own cap at New Era, dinner with the players, and the fun themed atmosphere, that’s something you can’t get anywhere else,” she said.

The Catwalk for Charity is always a “flip joint” and the Town Ballroom’s classy décor only adds to the appeal. With Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, and Grease character look-alikes at every turn, it’s hard not to get into the spirit of things.

A Frank Sinatra crooner set the stage early in the evening, his smooth styles blending perfectly with vintage starburst light fixtures, the rhythmic shake of martini mixers, luxe velvet-draped stage, and of course, a few brave jitterbugs tickling the dance floor. As the evening heated up, the sounds of Elvis and the Grease soundtrack took over, and the hand-jive gave way to fancy footwork and faster beats.

The Catwalk for Charity never fails to impress, and this year was no exception, despite a slightly rushed planning season for Forton-Barnes and her dedicated committee. “Ryan is projected for consideration for the Olympics, and the team has two weeks off in February, when we would usually hold the Catwalk,” she said. “We got the yearly events schedule in late July, and found out then the only date was November 8th.” How did she pull it off? “I don’t sleep much,” she said with a smile.

Looking around at the packed ballroom, one would think all that hard work certainly paid off. “It’s a good cause, and a great party,” as Miller put it. The Sabres players, family, friends and fans jump, jived and jammed the night away and raised money for cancer research. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.

Want more photos? Check out:Catwalk for Charity IV