local celebrity dancing contest

     For the second year, local celebrities are putting on their dancing shoes and teaming up with Knoxville dance studio instructors to raise money for East Tennessee’s children with a local version of the popular “Dancing With The Stars” television show.
     The Star 102.1’s “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” competition will take place Thursday night, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the Knoxville Expo Center.
     There are two ways to support the event, which will benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital:  purchase tickets to the event or vote online for your favorite celebrity dancer.  Tickets are $35 a person and $60 per couple for the April 1 event, which includes both refreshments and the dance competition.  
     Tickets can be purchased by calling the Children’s Hospital Development Office at (865) 541-8441.  VIP tables are also available for $200; each table seats four.  Seating is limited and reservations are required.
The winner of “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” will be determined by the judges’ votes the night of the competition and online voting for each celebrity dancer.  One dollar equals one vote, and many of the celebrities are asking their friends, family, listeners and viewers to support the cause by voting.  To vote online, visit the “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” Web page, located at www.star1021fm.com.
     Knoxville area celebrities participating in “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” include: Lola Alapo from the Knoxville News Sentinel, “Jed from the Joe” (Jed Bakri from Cotton Eyed Joe), WBIR-TV 10News Today anchor Abby Ham, WVLT Volunteer-TV anchor Allison Kropff, Comedienne Leanne Morgan, Ella Nolan from this season of The Bachelor on ABC, Maestro Lucas Richman from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, WATE-TV Good Morning Tennessee anchor Tearsa Smith.
     Each celebrity is paired with a professional dancer from Academy Ballroom.