Act I – Members of “Dancing with the Barton Stars” are from left to right Lynda Jamison, Melanie Calcara, Dan Heath, Rachel Mawhirter, Steve Webster, Dr. Carl Heilman, Jan Westfall, Jo Harrington and Allene Owen. Not pictured is dance participant Mark Mingenback. “Dancing with the Barton Stars” sets the wheels in motion for a fund raiser to renovate the College’s 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium.

For more information, contact Darnell Holopirek, 620-792-9367, holopirekd@bartonccc.edu

February 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Michael Dawes
dawesm@bartonccc.edu

Barton Community College is using star power to help raise money for a renovation project to upgrade its 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium. Barton’s stars are 10 community members who will compete in a dance competition this spring that will initiate a fund drive and create awareness for the renovation project.

The auditorium lights and sound system are antiquated and parts are no longer available for repairs, explained Darnell Holopirek, executive director of Institutional Advancement at Barton. 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. The total estimate for the renovation to the auditorium is $400,000.

“We want to step up and have one of the best fine arts programs in the area for our community,” said Holopirek. “Where others may be cutting the arts, we want to be proactive and move forward, but we need help from our community.”

“Dancing with the Barton Stars” will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The cost to attend the event is $5 per person with the proceeds going to the renovation project.

Though the event’s name is a play on the nationally televised “Dancing with the Stars,” the Barton version doesn’t require a critique of dancers in order to decide its winning couple. Simply, the dancing team that raises the most money wins the contest.

Starting now through April 19, people can support their favorite teams by donating a dollar per vote with no limit for the amount of votes cast. The five dance teams are currently soliciting donations from the community to bolster their chances of winning.

Three Great Bend dance studios are training the five teams during the next two months. Barb’s School of Dance, Dance by Design, and Just Dance are donating dance instruction to train the dancers. Dance choreography, music and outfits for each team will remain closely guarded by the respective teams and their instructors until the evening of their performances.

The event is being hosted by two emcees, Eagle Radio’s Scott Donovan and Jemelle Holopirek from KAKE TV’s “Good Morning Kansas.” The co-hosts will interview the dancers and the instructors during their training, and a video will be produced showing a behind-the-scenes look into the friendly competition. The video will be shown to the audience the night of the event. The audience also will be treated to 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 Fund-raising Dinner for 80 guests that will take place at 6 p.m. prior to the dancing event. Those 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 VIP Fund-raising 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.”

Contact Barton’s Liberal Arts and Sciences office, 620-792-9391 to order tickets for either fund-raising event. Tickets to “Dancing with the Barton Stars” also will be sold at the door the evening of the dance performances.

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Dance Teams and Instructors

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

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They said it …

“I spent most of my dancing career at Pogos in Wichita in the disco era. … I will have to get a new leisure suit because the one I wore won’t fit me anymore.”
–Steve Webster

“Without performing arts, kids don’t have a chance to develop. … I know I wouldn’t be the person I am if it wasn’t for performing arts.”
–Rachel Mawhirter

“Because of my theatrical background, I’ve watched a lot of dance … but my dance background is, technically, I only dance in the shower.”
–Dan Heath

“I have been involved in many productions in the musical theatre at Barton. I’ve had a great time and know a lot of people here.”
–Melanie Calcara

“I have two left feet and Dr. Carl says he has two right, so we’ll work it out on stage and get it accomplished.”
–Jan Westfall

“When I was a little kid, I went to dances with my folks and that’s what we would do. My dad was a tap dancer, so that’s where some of (my experience) comes in.”
–Allene Owen

“My dancing background? There isn’t much, but I am German Catholic and I grew up doing the polka. If Mark can polka, I think we’ve got this one.”
–Lynda Jamision

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Listen to "Dancing with the Barton Stars" participants on Cougar Pause radio program, recorded January 28, 2011

Jan Westfall
marketing director
Great Bend Regional Hospital

Dr. Carl Heilman
president
Barton Community College

Allene Owen
manager
Renue Salon & Spa

Jo Harrington
math instructor
Barton Community College

 

Melanie Calcara
para-professional
USD 428

Dan Heath
theatre instructor
USD 428

Jemelle Holopirek
'Good Morning KS' host
KAKE TV