While three trophies will be awarded the night of the finale of Stars Dance for the Arts, some decisions are being made now with your popular vote.
The nine local couples competing will learn their fate at the Jan. 12 event, including Mirror Ball Trophy, the highest combined popular vote and judges’ scores; Popular Vote Trophy, the highest number of votes tallied from online and event night voting; and the Judges’ Trophy, the highest combined judges’ score.
From 7 to 8 p.m., guests will enjoy a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres along with a cash bar. Couples will begin dancing at 7 p.m. Coffee and dessert will be served during intermission.
Each $50 ticket includes food, cash bar and one vote during the event. Additional votes during the event are $10 per ballot. Voting online and at the arts center is in full swing. By voting online at dancekcca.com, you can see which couple has the largest number of votes. Online voting will end at midnight Jan. 11.
Among the competing couples are Emily Smith and Davis Canady, who will perform a West Coast swing.
Smith is a native of Rocky Point. Following graduation from Topsail High School, she received a Bachelor of Science in sociology from N.C. State University and a master’s degree in psychology from ECU. She is the registrar at Lenoir Community College. Among her hobbies are dancing, playing guitar, cooking, painting and working out.
Her interest in dance developed during her teen years when she described herself as “an extremely introverted teenager.” She searched the Yellow Pages and found the Social Graces Dance Studio in Wilmington owned by Canady. Once she began dance lessons, her shyness disappeared and teachers reported to her parents that she was like a “blossoming flower.” Today, dancing is the one thing that guarantees to make her happy.
Canady, a Wilmington native, has been teaching ballroom dance since 1992. This 40-year-old began his career at Fred Astaire Dance Studios where he developed a genuine love for teaching ballroom dance. In 1994, he began studying dance outside the Wilmington area, seeking coaching from top ranking competitors and judges from New York to Florida.
In 1995, Canady opened his own studio, Social Graces Ballroom Dance Studio. Later he started “swing nights” in Wilmington at the River Club and Barneys. In 1997, he founded the Lumina Ballroom Dance Club at UNC Wilmington and a ballroom dance club at Hoggard High School in 2010.
Canady is a member of the U.S. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. He competes as a professional on a pro/am level, choreographs for film and television and teaches in seven counties between North and South Carolina.
Vote for your stars
To vote for your favorite Star couple, go to dancekcca.com and click on the VOTE button next to the dance team. You can vote for as many couples as you like for $10/vote.
Couple 1 — Stephen Alford & Amy Whitfield
Couple 2 — James Baker & Margaret Williams
Couple 3 — Davis Canady and Emily Smith
Couple 4 — Lynette Johnson & Dr. Lyn Turner
Couple 5 — O’Keife Lewis & Suzanne Gallaher
Couple 6 — Cherita Lytle & Joe Exum
Couple 7 — Nora Parker & Dr. John Herlong
Couple 8 — Tommy Pressly & Vickie Robinson
Couple 9 — Jennifer Worsley & Dr. Jay Barker
Stars Dance for the Arts
Jan. 12
7 to 8 p.m., heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar
7 p.m., dancing begins; dessert during intermission
Three awards presented at end of evening
Community Council for the Arts
410 N. Queen St., Kinston
Tickets $50, online or at arts center
252-527-2517 or kinstoncca.com