Tearsa Smith's dress really heated up the place!
You feel like you know them. They read you the news every morning. One writes for the newspaper, covering the staid education beat. And another conducts the Knoxville Symphony. But trust me when I tell you you’ve never seen these local celebrities the way a couple of hundred folks saw them last night. The event was Dancing with the Knoxville Stars and it benefited East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, a great cause even competitors can agree on.
The seven celebrity dancers were paired with dance instructors from Academy Ballroom who spent a few weeks with them practicing choreography and moves. A panel of judges determined the winner of the dance competition, which turned out to be WATE‘s morning anchor Tearsa Smith who smoked the place with her sexy dress and the cha-cha. The competition to raise the most money for Children’s Hospital was won by Jed Bakri, manager of the Cotton Eyed Joe night club, who alone brought in more than $11,000.
Tim Graham, who owns the Knoxville Expo Center, leased the venue to the event organizers for $1. A host of sponsors including Cherokee Distributing, which provided the beer; Bob’s Package Store, which provided the wine; All Occasion Catering, which provided the hors d’oeuvres; and Texas Roadhouse which provided desserts made it possible for most of the money raised to go to the hospital. Star 102.1 was the title sponsor of the event. My recommendation: put this on your list of things to attend next year. Pay $100 and snag a great table for four alongside the dance floor. That’s what I intend to do!
It's great to be the winner! Just ask Tearsa Smith of WATE.
Several folks dared Tearsa to keep the blue in her hair when she went on the air at 5 a.m. the following morning. I don't think she did.
Allison Kropff of WVLT-TV went for the sophisticated look for her rendition of the night club two-step.
Allison and her partner, PJ, played a "beauty and the geek" theme. Cute.
WBIR-TV's Abby Ham and her dance partner, JW, are interviewed following their dance by Star 102.1's Marc Anthony
Abby Ham and JW performed the mambo, a Latin dance of Cuban origin.
News Sentinel reporter Lola Alapo prepares to step onto the dance floor.
Lola and her partner, Johnny Tang danced the jive.
Lola confidently heads into the audience to collect dollar donations for Children's Hospital.
Maestro Lucas Richman of the Knoxville Symphony literally dragged his partner, Emily, during part of his foxtrot to the tune of "Minnie the Moocher."
Lucas and Emily walk toward the judges' station. They came in second in the dance contest.
One of Lucas' biggest fans, his son Max, was on hand to cheer him on.
Ella Nolan was a contestant on "The Bachelor" this season. Wow. We think he should have picked her!
Ella and her partner, Hayden, respond to a judge's comment. They danced the Jive.
The judges included News Sentinel writer Terry Morrow, left, and Star 102.1's Gretchen Bartlett.
From left, Lindsay and John Duncan and Harlow and Alyson Sumerford, presumably cheering on Harlow's co-worker Tearsa Smith.
WBIR-TV's Mary Cates, left, and Michelle Shory were there in support of Abby Ham.
Jeff and Christy Lee led the Abby Ham contingent. He's general manager of WBIR-TV.
News Sentinel co-workers Donna Colburn, left, and Mary Constantine were there to support Lola Alapo.
KSO Maestro Lucas Richman had a cheering section: from left, Brandon and Stephanie Burdette and Jennifer Barnett.
East Tennessee Children's Hospital President and CEO Keith Goodwin and his wife, Dianne, enjoyed the festivities.
Expo Center owner Tim Graham and his wife, Karen, were on hand.
The Knoxville Dance Orchestra performed during breaks in the recorded music. I didn't even know Knoxville had a dance orchestra!
Kudos to Seth Linkous who headed up the project for Children's Hospital.
You are so awesome!! Great coverage!
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