Dancing With OUR Stars is back, and its organizers suggest it’s bigger and brighter.
The fourth-annual installment of this fundraiser for Eagle’s Wings food pantry runs Aug. 13 at the Washington High School Performing Arts Center.
Tickets for the money-generating competition and dance-off went on sale Friday, said Sally Love, executive director of Eagle’s Wings, a charitable nonprofit based in Washington.
Tickets are available at Eagle’s Wings, located at 932 W. Third St., from any DWOS cast member or from the following businesses: The Meeting Place, I Can’t Believe It’s a Book Store, Backwater Jack’s, The Little Shoppes of Washington, Charisma Boutique, AVA Formals, Frank’s Pizza, Nameplates and the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce.
DWOS is Eagle’s Wings’ largest fundraiser of the year.
The service the organization provides is especially vital now, Love indicated.
“We’ve seen an increase in numbers (of clients), especially in the last month or so,” she said.
The pantry has added services, including meals to homebound people, and expanded its hours.
Asked why DWOS has been successful over the past three years, Love replied, “It’s been lots of fun. It’s a great event.”
Asked what’s different about this year’s show, she said, “I think the biggest change in this year is that we’re sharing the profits with the nonprofits that are dancing.”
Nine nonprofits are fielding dance teams this year.
Each of the nonprofits will get to keep half of the money it raises before and during DWOS, with the other 50 percent going to Eagle’s Wings.
“Things are tight right now for everybody, so it’s good for us to share and for them to have the opportunity to raise some money,” Love said.
Funds taken in by other participating dance crews will go entirely to the food pantry.
Individuals who want to contribute money may give donations to members of the dance teams or visit www.dancefordonations.org.
Dance rehearsals for DWOS began June 7, said Janet Cox, the DWOS director and a dance instructor in Washington.
The 18 to 19 acts expected to take part in the occasion cover a wide range of community interests, Cox related.
“They’re all very diverse,” she said.
And most, if not all, of the teams are new to DWOS, she added.
“They’re very, very excited about it,” Cox commented.
At least one band of entertainers, the barbershop quartet Men ’N Accord, will provide entertainment between dance acts, she said.
“It’s fun doing it, but the real goal here is just to raise as much money as possible,” Cox pointed out.
DWOS has topped fundraising goals in each year of its existence, she said.
“I hope that the community will really support this, especially since Eagle’s Wings is gracious enough to share it with the nonprofits,” Cox concluded.
Last year, DWOS brought in $51,895.78.
A list of the dance teams follows:

Dancing for Eagle’s Wings:
— Beaufort County Community College
— LifeStyles Medical Fitness Center
— Washington Pediatrics
— Lee Chevrolet
— Jazzercise
— Le Moulin Rouge de Danse
— Hillside Funeral Home
— Paul Funeral Home
— Eagle’s Wings
— WITN
Dancing for their nonprofits and Eagle’s Wings:
— Beaufort County Arts Council
— Beaufort County Humane Society
— Boys and Girls Club
— Literacy Volunteers of Beaufort County
— Curvy Girls
— Montessori Charter School
— Trinity Church
— Community Care & Hospice
— Turnage Theater

For more information about Dancing With OUR Stars, contact Cox at 252-947-0032 or 252-946-9569, or email her at jscox13@yahoo.com.
For continuing coverage of Dancing With OUR Stars, see future editions of the Daily News.

Ticket prices for Dancing With OUR Stars
—    $10 general admission, $25 for premium seating and $40 for front-row, VIP seating during the “dress rehearsal” at 4 p.m. Aug. 13.
—    $20 general admission, $35 premium seating and $50 for front-row, VIP seating during the evening performance at 8 p.m.
—    For more ticket information, call Eagle’s Wings at 252-975-1138.