As previously announced, Kinston Community Council for the Arts is excited for their 3rd annual Stars Dance For The Arts event, hosted by Amy Whitfield and Wells Gulledge. The 2015 Stars event features eight superstar couples dancing their way into your hearts to generously raise funds for Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts. Each couple will perform an exciting and elegantly choreographed dance on Jan. 31 for a chance to become the 2015 champion of Stars Dance For The Arts. Each week, some of the dance couples will be featured here so you can get to know them a little better. Visit www.dancekcca.com/ for additional details.
Stars Dance For The Arts will be held at the Arts Center (400 N. Queen St., Kinston) on Saturday, Jan. 31. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available by 6:30 p.m., and the dancers perform at 7:30 p.m.
From now through midnight Jan. 30, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your favorite dance couple(s) as often as you’d like. Voting will also take place during the event on Jan. 31.
There are three options for seating this year. All tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, one vote during the event, and star-studded entertainment!
- Premium Reserved Front Row Seating: $100 (please call/visit the Arts Center.
- Premium Reserved Second Row Seating: $75 (please call/visit the Arts Center)
- General Admission Seating: $50 each (available online or by calling/visiting the Arts Center)
Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts (CCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Lenoir County residents experience the joy, promise, and pursuit of artistic excellence. In an effort to raise much-needed funding, staff and volunteers are organizing a fun, fabulous, FANTASTIC event which promises to promote the art of ballroom dance, unveil completely unexpected local dance talent, and bring the community together for a special night!
This Week’s Dance Couples:
Chris Raines and Cherita Lytle
Chris Raines, a native of Lenoir County and graduate of Lenoir Community College, began performing on stage at the age of 8. Although working full time as Logistics Coordinator at Caswell Developmental Center, Raines finds time to be involved in his community. He has produced, directed and starred in many productions raising money for charities. He is the current master of St. John No. 4 Masonic Lodge and a current trustee doing charity work for the widows and orphans of the community and state. He recently joined the Lenoir County Fair Association as entertainment chairman, and works diligently through the Fair Association with youth to promote community projects such as Eagle Scouts, 4-H, and JROTC projects. Chris is part of the Max Blizzard Singers and enjoys producing, directing and starring in shows to help raise money for various charities in and around North Carolina. Chris was named young Professional of the Year for Kinston and Lenoir County in 2012, and was selected to the 20 Under 40 Class of 2012 by the Free Press for high achievement in his profession. Chris lives in Deep Run with his wife and their three children. He is looking forward to dancing with partner, Cherita, and using his talents to support CCA.
Cherita Lytle is a native of Morganton who now resides in Greenville. She graduated from East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Education. Dancing since age 3, she began to seriously train in ballet, jazz and tap dance during her middle school years. While at ECU, she performed with the ECU Dance Team, serving as its coach in 2003-2004. Following graduation, she was a remedial and substitute teacher with Pitt County Schools. Cherita has performed for 12 years with the Eastern NC Dance Foundation’s pre-professional dance company, the Dance Collective. She currently serves as studio manager and instructor at Greenville Civic Ballet and as a dance instructor at The Oakwood School in Greenville. She has choreographed and judged various competitions and pageants throughout Eastern North Carolina. When not involved with dancing, Cherita enjoys spending time with her daughter, her “greatest joy in life.” Cherita appreciates the sense of community she feels in Lenoir County as well as CCA’s dedication to the performing arts. She states, “This is my third year participating as a professional in Stars Dance for the Arts, and I am excited to gain another great partner and to support CCA.”
Adam Ormond and June Cummings
Adam Ormond loves calling Lenoir County ‘home’ and cherishes time spent with family and friends. Adam is the Operations Manager at Kinston Clinic Pharmacy. Aside from work he loves music and is involved in the community. Adam is the Organist/Music Director at Woodington United Methodist Church, and serves on the Miss Kinston-Lenoir County committee. Adam says he’s looking forward to serving on the board of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce for 2015-2018. In his spare time, Adam loves his little hide-away at Emerald Isle, where he spends time fishing, swimming, and enjoying God’s many creations at the coast. Adam says he chose to participate in Stars Dance for the Arts because he enjoys helping the community raise money for worthy causes, and is looking forward to meeting new people and dancing with his partner, June.
June Cummings, a native of Clinton, lives in Kinston with her husband, Harry Cummings, Jr. June earned a BS in Social Work from East Carolina University, and is the executive director of Lenoir/Greene United Way. June has a great love for music. She enjoys jazz, attending concerts, playing the French horn in the Pitt Community College Symphony Orchestra, reading, and spending time at the beach with family. She and Harry have eight grandchildren, ages 1 through 13. As one might expect, with eight grandchildren she has warmed many a dance recital seat. June has lived in Lenoir County since 1974, and says she loves it because she continues to be overwhelmed with the compassion and caring of the people here. She is glad to participate in Stars Dance for the Arts, and is looking forward to a great dance partner, helping the CCA, and having fun at the same time.
To purchase your tickets and vote for your favorite dance teams: Call (252-527-2517), visit Kinston Community Council for the Arts, or visit www.dancekcca.com.