Tickets are on sale now for the first ever Ellis County Dancing with the Stars, a special fundraiser being staged to benefit the Texas Baptist Home for Children.
The inaugural gala is slated for Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. The evening features dinner catered by Sterling Events and Catering, exhibition dances by Danceworks students, including its senior troupe and Daymark Living residents, and six pairs vying for the title and “mirror ball trophy.” To facilitate the head count for catering purposes, people are asked to purchase their tickets by Jan. 21.
TBH development director Laure Henthorn shared with the Sun how the unique event came about.
“The previous development director had laid the groundwork, and I had also run across the idea,” she said. “Everyone said it sounded like a lot of fun and was an awesome idea. Everyone was ready to pick the ball up and bring it to fruition.”
Henthorn said community support has been positive. As an example, she cited Danceworks, which not only has provided ongoing dance training to each of the participating dance pairs since August but whose students will also showcase their talents as part of the evening’s entertainment.
“It’s not your average gala,” Henthorn said. “It’s a little out of the ordinary and entertaining.”
The gala kicks off with dinner served at 6 p.m., with the buffet menu featuring a choice of roasted pork tenderloin with raspberry chipotle sauce and grilled margherita chicken. The dinner includes salad, new potatoes with garlic chive butter, mixed vegetable medley, dinner rolls and dessert.
“Chewbacca Mom” Candace Payne will emcee the gala, which will see the exhibition dances start about 6:30 p.m. before progressing into the competition between the six participating pairs, who will perform one dance each. The dancers include:
• Waxahachie Mayor Doug Barnes and Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce Vice President Julie Farrar
• Ellis County Commissioner Lane Grayson and sister-in-law, Danceworks owner Julie Grayson
• Waxahachie Family YMCA executive director Jon McLaughlin and wife, Rachel
• Waxahachie Police Department Lt. Josh Oliver and wife, Jennifer
• VOID co-founder Darrin Robinson and wife, Tianna, Legacy Publishing & Consulting owner
• Farley Street Baptist Church pastor Richard Smith and daughter, Kara Hatchel
Donations made before the gala go toward a vote count ($5 equals one vote); votes can also be cast that night with a donation. Those vote totals will then be combined with the judges’ scores to determine the overall winner, which will be announced at the gala’s end.
Proceeds from the gala will support TBH’s foster care and adoption services as well as its newest program, Teen Pregnancy Care.
“People who come to the gala will be supporting these very important ministries,” Henthorn said. “They’ll also enjoy what will be a fun gala and a memorable evening.”
For tickets, visit https://tbhc.org/ and click on the events tab at the top. You can also contact Henthorn directly at 972-937-1321 or lhenthorn@tbhc.org for more information, including sponsorship packages and benefits.
