With the fourth-ever “Dancing With Our Stars” event bound for Hopkinsville’s historic Alhambra Theatre this Saturday, Pennyroyal Arts Council Executive Director Margaret Prim wants everyone to remember the purpose of celebration.
On one side, it’s help and support for the PAC and its mission in the region.
On the other side, it’s help for Sanctuary, Inc., an equal partner with the PAC since the first “Dancing With Our Stars” in 2016. It’s an organization driven to assist and provide preventative and restorative services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
With a target of $70,000 in total fundraising, and hopefully more, Prim said overhead for this event is minimal — and that couples have been diligent in jump-starting their campaigns in creative ways such as raffles, boxed lunches and other nifty promotions.
Since 2016, in-person tickets have only been selling out faster and faster.
Seven celebrity couples have sacrificed months of time to perfect their routines. With help from dance experts within Bluegrass Dancecats and Brooke Bailey Dance Addiction & Gymnastics, Prim notes that families and friends are “putting it out there,” and all in the name of community.
While in-person tickets sold out within minutes, Prim is encouraging everyone to visit the live-streaming service that will be available for the event, located at pennyroyalartscouncil.ticketspice.com. This ticket costs $25 with a $1.88 service fee.
She added that COVID-19 concerns helped create this digital avenue for fans, friends and family — and it allows people to remain connected to the celebration and philanthropic efforts.
Preparations for Saturday have long been underway, Prim said, but the final countdown has brought the Alhambra Theatre into “go-mode” this week specifically.
Couples this year include Alex & Bri Smith, Amy Rogers & Mark Lindsey, Blair & Max Arnold, Chris & Caroline Bentzel, Robin Tabor-Atkins & Dustin Gilbert, Ellery Naghtin & Brandon Garnett and Martha Argotte & Michael Steil.
Prim said three awards will be delivered on Saturday: one to the couple who raises the most money prior to the live performance, a “Judge’s Award” to the technical best, and one to the couple that raises the most money overall.
One dollar equals one vote, and over the last three years, the joint-organization fundraiser has drawn in more than $190,000.
For more information on where and how to vote, visit online at www.pennyroyalarts.org.
