Local stars will shine when Barton Community College uses a friendly dance competition to propel plans to renovate its 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium.
Ten community members have signed on for "Dancing with the Barton Stars," to be held at 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the auditorium. Admission is $5, with proceeds going to the $400,000 renovation project. The teams are busy raising money and training with local dance instructors, who are donating their services. The team that raises the most money wins, said Darnell Holopirek, executive director of Institutional Advancement at Barton.
Team members and their instructors are:
• Lynda Jamison and Mark Mingenback – Lindsey Feil, Barb’s School of Dance
• Rachel Mawhirter and Steve Webster – Haley Johnson and Natasha Homeier, Barb’s School of Dance
• Jan Westfall and Dr. Carl Heilman – Lee Ann Bashor, Dance by Design
• Melanie Calcara and Dan Heath – Kelley Scott, Just Dance
• Allene Owen and Jo Harrington – Lee Ann Bashor, Dance by Design
Dance choreography, music and outfits for each team will remain closely guarded until the evening of their performances. Scott Donovan of Eagle Radio and Jemelle Holopirek from KAKE TV’s "Good Morning Kansas" will emcee the show, which will also feature a ballet performance by Miss Kansas, Lauren Werhan. Her special appearance is sponsored by Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd.
As an additional effort to raise money, the college is hosting a VIP fundraising dinner for 80 guests that will take place at 6 p.m. prior to the dancing event. Guests will be treated to fine dining in the Shafer Gallery; they will have valet parking and, later that evening, will have reserve seats to "Dancing with the Barton Stars." Cost to attend the dinner is $50.
"We are going to make it a wonderful evening for people," said Holopirek. "We think it is a good way to show off our facility — what it could be in the future — and to raise funds and get everybody excited about the project."
The Fine Arts Auditorium lights and sound system are antiquated and parts are no longer available for repairs, explained Holopirek. The renovation plan calls for replacing the lights and sound system, as well as reconfiguring the seats for better access to isles, and re-carpeting the area.
"We want to step up and have one of the best fine arts programs in the area for our community," she said. "Where others may be cutting the arts, we want to be proactive and move forward, but we need help from our community."
Contact Barton’s Liberal Arts and Sciences office, 620-792-9391, to order tickets for either fundraising event. Tickets to "Dancing with the Barton Stars" also will be sold at the door the evening of the dance performances.
