Two weeks until Dancing With the Stars in a Caring Way

With only two weeks to go, excitement is building for the second Dancing with the Stars in a Caring Way.

Friday, May 2, will be the opening night of an entertaining and benevolent weekend at the Grand Opera House of the South. 

The dress rehearsal, open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $50 for this event.

The grand gala will be held Saturday, May 3, beginning with a social hour and silent auction at 6 p.m. The dance performance will follow at 7 p.m. and from 9-11 p.m. there will be live music and dancing to the lively sounds of the Get Back Band, as well as the announcement of the winners.

Tickets are $100 for the gala event.

Please contact Kim Gattle at 785-0440 or visit the website at www.thegrandoperahouse.org to purchase tickets.

Audience members will be encouraged to vote for their favorite couple during both performances.

Mitzi and Clay LeJeune, auction co-chairs, are putting together a number of enticing items to bid on Saturday night. They are accepting donations and will be seeking out more auction support during these final two weeks.

Please contact Mitzi or Clay at 788-1505 with your contribution.

Brenda Core, of Core Dance Center, has been busily coordinating dance rehearsals, as well as coaching her own team. She maintains that although it is hard work, there is satisfaction in knowing that it all benefits people in the community.

“It’s thrilling to be part of something so rooted in giving,” she said. “I’m having a blast working with everyone. We laugh, we sweat and we rehearse and rehearse.

“I love that I can give back to the community doing something I enjoy.”

As for the cast this year, Core was more than excited about the prospects.

“This year’s cast is absolutely incredible. We definitely have some tricks up our sleeves.

“They want fireworks, and not a single couple will settle for anything less. It’s going to be quite a show.”

Mary Zaunbrecher and Emily Stoma, serving as the co-chairmen again this year, are also taking care of last minute details.

The beautiful, full-color souvenir program will be even bigger than last year, thanks to the many generous businesses and individuals who have purchased ads.

The event’s co-chairs would like to remind the readers that sponsorships are still available at every level, beginning with Caring Heart ($500), Silver Caring Heart ($1000), Gold Caring Heart ($2500) and Platinum Caring Heart ($5000).

Each sponsorship includes votes for your favorite couple, while the gold and platinum levels include tickets to the show and reserved parking.

Please contact Zaunbrecher at 207-9789 or Stoma at 523-6044 to purchase a sponsorship or for more information.

Voting is underway online at www.crowleydancestars.com. Each vote costs $1 and requires a credit card or PayPal account.

Funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, voting, and the silent auction will benefit three worthy causes in the Crowley area: the Rotary Club of Crowley, Community Outreach Corporation, and Crowley Christian Care Center.