Martinsville-Henry County’s favorite dance-off is back. Piedmont Arts has announced pairings for the seventh Dancing For The Arts, a biennial fundraiser modeled after Dancing with the Stars.
In the past six programs, the event has raised nearly $400,000 and featured 96 dancers, all community leaders stepping out of boardrooms and into ballroom shoes.
“These vital funds were used to bring impactful exhibitions, educational arts programming to schools, and performing arts to the community,” said Executive Director Heidi Pinkston. “Admission into the museum and all in-school programming is free. Piedmont Arts is an arts organization for” Martinsville Henry County, “many larger communities don’t have an arts organization like MHC does.”
This year, dancers could select their own partners for the first time. Each pair also works with a professional instructor to polish routines and perfect spins.
The official pairings are:
- Katie Adkins and Brandon Johnson, coached by Victoria Howard, Waltz
- Shan‘Tyia Hairston and Maurice Breedlove, coached by Janeka Hairston, Cha Cha
- Tiffanie Hairston and Brian Hairston, coached by Stacey Davis, Tango
- Sarah Hodges and Kasey Lucas, coached by Catherine Rodenbaugh, Quick Step
- Elizabeth Huerta and Alfredo Huerta, coached by Catherine Rodenbaugh, Salsa
- Margie Price-Savedge and Christopher Janey, coached by Jane Leizer, Swing
- Shatera Robertson and Louis Norton, coached by Stacey Davis, Foxtrot
- Melissa White and Al Herndon, coached by Jane Leizer, Rumba
Each team will perform two dances — one assigned and one freestyle — with music chosen by the pair. Each routine is capped at 1 minute and 45 seconds, and a professional production company will handle lights and sound.
“Each dancer’s fans will be voting with their pocketbooks,” Pinkston said. “Every dollar will be counted as a vote.” Membership donations will be doubled for votes. “For example, if someone joins as a single member for $40, their votes would total 80.”
Pinkston added, “We hope you all have a fun time with Dancing For The Arts while helping to keep the arts alive and vibrant in our community.”
The event will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. at Martinsville High School.
