LASALLE — Have you ever seen the television show, “Dancing with the Stars?" OmniArts in Starved Rock Country is hosting the local version of the popular show to raise money for local schools to benefit the art, music and drama programs.
Seven local educators, from superintendents to classroom teachers, have “stepped up” and volunteered to participate in this fun and exciting event to support their schools. Each educator is paired with a professional dancer and will perform two dances — a classical ballroom dance and a free-style dance.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in the Oak Ridge Golf Course ballroom in LaSalle. Tickets are $20 per person online, $25 at the door. The public is invited to attend.
“We invited several school administrators and educators to participate in this event, and these brave seven decided to accept the challenge,” said Bill Jankowski, executive director of OmniArts. “We are thrilled to have them represent their schools and dance for the title of 'Best Dancing Educator in Starved Rock Country.'”
Each school will receive a donation to benefit their art, music and drama programs, but the winning couple receives a $1,500 donation to their school.
“We wanted to make a substantial donation to the winning school because of the need for the arts to flourish in our educational systems. The arts are a necessity, a lifelong appreciation typically begins in high school age students," added Jankowski.
Each couple will perform two dances. After each round, the audience will vote for the best dancers by placing dollars in a special envelope marked with the school name. Each dollar equals one vote. The more dollars you donate, the better chance for your school to win the title and donation.
Participants include:
• Marty Voiles, principal, Seneca High School, and Stephanie Gallagher, Donna Mueller School of Dance.
• Lisa Griggs, teacher, St. Bede Academy, and Jessica Chambliss, Ottawa Dance Academy.
• Tara Davis, teacher, Princeton High School, and Gibby Kirby, Champaign Ballet Company.
• Sarah Heuser, teacher, Ottawa High School, and John Williams, Gray’s School of Dance.
• Matt Seaton, superintendent, Streator High School, and Briana Ninis, Dancenter, Streator.
• Jeff Muraida, teacher, Morris High School, and Kristin Olsen, Donna Mueller School of Dance.
• Steve Wrobleski, superintendent, LaSalle-Peru High School, and Deana Brown, Adagio Dance Studio.
For more information and tickets, visit OmniArts.org.
Money raised by OmniArts goes directly to artists, art initiatives, cultural groups, community theatres, schools and libraries, with the goal of improving quality of life in the region. Donors can contribute by visiting www.OmniArts.org. OmniArts is a registered 501(C)(3). All contributions are tax deductible.