Animal Friends of Westmoreland dance-off returns live to The Palace

Amateur and professional dancers will once again tread the boards of The Palace Theatre, as the popular Dancing With the Celebrities competition returns live on May 6.

A signature fundraiser of the Animal Friends of Westmoreland, the dance-off was canceled in 2020 and presented in virtual form in 2021.

“It’s great to be back at The Palace,” said AFW Executive Director Kelli Brisbane. “We haven’t been there since 2019.”

The event begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. at the theater, 21 W. Otterman St.

Amateur dancers, including business owners and other prominent community members, are paired with dance professionals to vie for Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards.

Celebrities and their professional partners, respectively, are Heather Bach Huber, of Hairtini’s Salon & Skintini’s Skin Care, and Markus Gresko; Tracy Showman, director of UPMC Experience/Project Management, and Jerry Gresko; Nate Nevala, district chief of staff for state Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, and Khrystal Ferri; Petagogy co-owner Ben Huber and Eve Squires; Hempfield Area School district teacher Zak Shuster and Judy Gresko; Rodney Little, founder of Youngwood Top Dog Services and Top Dog Therapy Team, and Sarah Rebitch; Alicia Belli-Overly, of Shades Hair Salon, and Gary Manges; and energy practitioner Carly Lutz and Dylan Pal. Professionals Brittany Cooper Reilly and Laura Johnson also will dance.

Dance routines are choreographed by Johnson, TDI Ballroom and Susan Yadamec Dance Co.

Last year’s judges’ award winners, Aubrey Worek and Jackie Sobel, will open the show with a contemporary dance number.

Worek, owner of Aubrey Worek Fitness in Greensburg, and Sobel, owner of Sobel’s Obscure Brewery in Jeannette, also perform dance and pole and ring routines at events around the area.

A musical performance by singer Aubrey Burchell, a 2021 celebrity contestant and “American Idol” veteran, will precede the second act.

Group and solo performances, including jazz and tap, by Susan Yadamec dancers also are planned.

Worek, Sobel and Heather Cordial will serve as judges.

With event organizers still mindful of covid precautions, Brisbane said, this year’s event will not include food stations. At $55, the ticket price is lower than in previous years to reflect that.

“We’re hoping that people will go out and support the local restaurants before the event,” she said.

Beer from Sobel’s Obscure Brewery and wine from Bella Terra Vineyards will be included in the ticket price.

Proceeds will support operations of the Youngwood-based nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and adoption organization, which also operates a farm animal sanctuary in Unity. Information on the organization is available at animalfriendswestmoreland.org.

Tickets for the dance competition are available through May 4 at Dancing With the Celebrities on eventbrite.com. Ticket purchasers will select a celebrity, with a seat assigned in that celebrity’s cheering section.