Dancing for the Arts returns this March

Rehearsals and preparation are underway for the most spectacular event in Martinsville and Henry County. On Saturday, March 9 at 4 p.m., local celebrities will take to the Martinsville High School stage to dance their way to winning both votes and the highest judges’ score. Voting is open and tickets are on sale now.

This fabulous fundraiser returns with a fresh slate of local celebrities dancing in support of the arts in Martinsville-Henry County. The contest features eight teams competing to win the most votes, the highest score from the judges, and a set of gorgeous mirror ball trophies handcrafted by local artist Terry Mitchell. There will be three awards at the end of the night: the Judges’ Award, the Impact Award, and the Grand Prize.

Teams are coached by a team of extraordinarily talented dancers and choreographers. The teams competing in Dancing for the Arts 2024 are:

• Jewell Drewery (Realtor, Rives S. Brown) and Ouss Sahar (SSC Unit Director, Henry County Public Schools) will dance the rumba, coached by Jane Leizer
• Bonnie Favero (Preventative Program Manager, Piedmont Community Services) and Damian Wainwright (JROTC Army Instructor, Magna Vista) will dance the tango, coached by Jane Leizer
• Claudia Graham (Office Manager, Martinsville Surgical Associates) and Spencer Koger (Executive Director, Uptown Partnership) will dance the waltz, coached by Janeka Hairston
• Anna Hatchett (Art Teacher, Henry County Public Schools) and Louis Campbell (Basketball Coach, Martinsville High School) will dance the foxtrot, coached by Stacey Davis
• Jennie Rabon (Office Manager, Rabon Law Firm) and Bobby LaPrade (Stone Dynamics and Xtreme Martial Arts) will dance the cha-cha, coached by Stacey Davis
• Tekela Redd (Service Center Director, Salvation Army) and Pres Garrett (Owner, Starling Avenue Cards & Comics) will dance the quickstep, coached by Catherine Rodenbough
• Jamie Turner (Marketing Director, King’s Grant) and Justin Kline (Theatre Teacher, Bassett High School) will dance the salsa, coached by Janeka Hairston
• Anna Wheeler (Program Coordinator, Dan River Basin Association) and Jacob Frith (The Lester Group Management Program) will swing dance, coached by Catherine Rodenbough

In addition to these assigned dances, teams will perform a round of freestyle dancing in a genre of their choosing. 2022’s Grand Prize winners Joyce Staples and Josh Bires-Grodensky return for the Give it Up Dance, choreographed by Marlana Lackey. This event is not one to be missed and will be hosted by Natalie Hodge of Rudy’s Girl media.

Voting is open now and will remain open until intermission on March 9. Supporters of the arts are invited to vote for their favorite teams. Votes raise money to support Piedmont Arts programming in Martinsville-Henry County. Like Dancing with the Stars, 50% of each team's final score is tallied from votes, and 50% is tallied from scores awarded by the judges during the contest. Each $1 donation = 1 vote. You can double your votes ($1 = 2 votes) by applying your total donation toward a Piedmont Arts membership or renewing your membership. A $40 minimum is required for this option.

To vote for your favorite Dancing for the Arts teams, visit Piedmont Arts or vote online at PiedmontArts.org/DFTA.

Dancing for the Arts will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 4 p.m. at Martinsville High School Auditorium. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission, and $5 for K-12 students. Tickets are on sale now at Piedmont Arts and PiedmontArts.org.