Family Focus: Local version of DWTS to benefit charity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Next weekend the North Carolina Dance Theatre will host its very own version of Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte.

The Dance Theatre is pairing local celebrities with professional dancers to raise money for charity.

Six prominent Charlotte-area business leaders are working on stepping out of their comfort zones and into a faceoff on the dance floor.

"I'm not a dancer, my wife will tell you," said Carlos Evans with Wells Fargo.

Michael and Ann Tarwater are co-chairs of the event.

"There is a vote total running online right now so the competition's begun," said Michael Tarwater.

"Everybody can get on the website and familiarize themselves with the contestants," said Ann Tarwater.

Just like the network version, the novice dancers are paired with professionals from the Dance Theatre to develop their routines and everyone in the community can weigh in on who wins.

"Each vote is a dollar and the proceeds from those are shared between the NCDT and the stars chosen charity," said Michael Tarwater.

"This is so out of my element, but it's for such a great cause," said Andrea Smith with Bank of America.

The stars have chosen charities such as the United Way, Cookies for Kids with Cancer, Crisis Assistance Ministries and Good Friends Charlotte.

"The charity I selected is the Novant Health Foundation," said Jesse Cureton with Novant Health.

On the Dance Theater website, voters can see the works in progress, rehearsals and behind the scenes interviews.

"It is incredible to have the chance to dance with a professional," said Debra Plousha Moore with Carolinas Healthcare System.

It all culminates in a final performance and gala next Saturday at Knight Theatre.

A champion will be crowned, but the whole community wins with the donations split between multiple charities.

To vote, click here.

WSOC