ABC TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” has nothing on Kinston. Come Saturday, one of nine local couples will claim the coveted Mirror Ball trophy at the end of weeks of online voting and an evening of glitz, good eats and fancy foot work. Two more trophies also will be awarded.
The finale of the Stars Dance for the Arts contest is Saturday night at the Community Council for the Arts, and event tickets have been selling like hot cakes.
Folks are coming from as far as High Point, Wilmington and Atlantic Beach to support the contestants in this competition to promote the art of ballroom dance and raise money for the art center’s programs.
Each $50 ticket includes food, cash bar and one vote during the event. Additional votes Saturday night will be $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.
Since total votes are part of the selection of all three trophy winners, online voting is encouraged before the Saturday night event, at $10 per vote. Online voting will end at midnight Friday.
The three trophy categories are: the Mirror Ball trophy, for the highest combined popular and judges vote (each counting 50 percent); the Popular Vote, total of online and during the event votes (couple with highest number wins); and the Judges Trophy, for the highest combined judges score.
Tickets are still available for the grand finale event. Add your name to the list of many who will be enjoying the food and beverages, supporting the arts and dancers, and learning more about the tango, rhumba, quick step, cha-cha, free style, jitterbug and West Coast swing.
Stars Dance for the Arts
Saturday
Community Council for the Arts
410 N. Queen St.
6:30 p.m., doors open
7 to 8 p.m., heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bars
8 p.m., couples begin dancing
Desserts and coffee served at intermission
Three awards presented at end of evening
Tickets: $50; Votes: $10 each
Online voting now at dancekcca.com/vote
Online votes: $10 per vote (unlimited)
Info: 252-527-2517
Menu
Light hors d’oeuvres
Mediterranean torte
Gorgonzola, pecan and cranberry cheese ball
Goat cheese log with honey and pistachios
Assorted cheeses, cracker and fresh fruit
Heavy hors d’oeuvres
Beef tenderloin (carving station)
Pork tenderloin (carving station)
Salmon with crackers
Mashed potato bar
Fresh sautéed green beans with mushrooms
Fresh greens salad with creamy vinaigrette dressing
Apple and blueberry muffins
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, rhumba
Couple 2 — James Baker & Margaret Williams, quick step
Couple 3 — Davis Canady and Emily Smith, West Coast swing
Couple 4 — Lynette Johnson & Dr. Lyn Turner, tango
Couple 5 — O’Keife Lewis & Suzanne Gallaher, quick step
Couple 6 — Cherita Lytle & Joe Exum, Argentine tango
Couple 7 — Nora Parker & Dr. John Herlong, jitterbug
Couple 8 — Tommy Pressly & Vickie Robinson, cha-cha
Couple 9 — Jennifer Worsley & Dr. Jay Barker, free style