DANCING WITH THE LEHIGH VALLEY STARS to Benefit Freddy Awards, 4/24

Just like the TV hit, Dancing with the Stars, the State Theatre has partnered up six Lehigh Valley "celebrities" with professional dancers from Utah Ballroom Dance Company for an unforgettable live show where the audience votes for the winner!

Dancing with the Lehigh Valley Stars is set for Friday, April 24th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www.statetheatre.org. Sponsored by Boyle Construction. Proceeds will benefit the State Theatre's FREDDY Awards program.

The Lehigh Valley's Local Stars are:

Anne Baum Vice President, Lehigh Valley for Capital BlueCross

Don Cunningham President & CEO Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

Lynn Collins Cunningham Senior Vice President of Bethlehem for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber

Sam Malone Morning Show Host, CAT Country 96

Eve Tannery 69 News WFMZ Anchor for Sunrise & Noon News

Bill White The Morning Call columnist and blogger

The Local Stars will rehearse with professionals the week leading up the big event and will be dressed up in glitzy costumes performing their routines during the first part of the show. Part two of the show features the professional dancers in action until the winner of the famous Mirror Ball is announced at the end of the show! Audience Members will help determine the winner with their vote on the night of the show.

Ballroom dance is taking our nation by storm and re-igniting a passion for this electrifying style of dance. Thrilling audiences worldwide through this unique form of dance is the Utah Ballroom Dance Company (UBDC). This company features some of nation's top ballroom dance athletes who have performed nationally and internationally receiving numerous accolades and awards such as the coveted U.S. National Formation Championships. With more than 100 performances each year, this professional ensemble delights, entertains, and uplifts thousands worldwide.

In conjunction with the Dancing with the Lehigh Valley Stars performance, the State Theatre is conducting a Team Challenge to collect donations for the non-profit FREDDY Awards program. The "Star" of the Team that receives the most donations will be given a special prize at the end of the show. This is in addition the coveted Mirror Ball that will be given to the winner of the dance competition.

Supporters of each team can contribute through the State Theatre's Shopping page at www.shopstatetheatre.org/donations/. Donation pages can also be accessed from homepages at www.statetheatre.org and www.freddyawards.org. Contributions to the FREDDY Awards program are tax deductible.

For bios and photos of the local stars, click here.