Dancers get ready for 'Stars' event

By KATHRYN JACEWICZ, Staff writer

Editor's note: This is the first in a five-part series leading up to the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ event in August.
Brunswick County’s version of “Dancing With the Stars” is less than a month away, and local “celebrity” dancers have been busy dancing preparing, making sure their routines are perfect for the competition.
Cynthia Tart, executive director of Communities in Schools, said she volunteered to dance because it ultimately helps children.  “There’s no way I couldn’t do this,” she said.

Tart began practicing with her professional partner Jim Sterner in April. Sterner, an internationally known performer and teacher, has taught dance in Myrtle Beach since 2000, but has danced for more than 35 years. He specializes in shag, swing, Latin, rumba and cha-cha.

Tart and Sterner have practiced about twice a month, but they will practice three times this month in preparation for the performance. The two will dance a West Coast swing to “Lean on Me,” performed by Joe Cocker.

“‘Lean on Me’ is kind of somewhat of a school song, so it will relate back to school, which is the main reason we are raising money,” Sterner said.

In addition to the monthly practices, Tart practices at home for hours on end, and is often up late and early rehearsing. She says the dips are the most challenging part of the routine.

“Some of the moves we do in the dance are kind of physical,” Sterner said. “You’re using muscles you haven’t used in a long time.”

Tart said she practiced dips so much during one practice, her entire body ached, and she was unable to walk down stairs.

“I had to turn around and walk down them backwards,” she said. “I have never hurt that bad in my life.”
Sterner’s professional partner Donna Rosen has also helped Tart, helping her understand how to make the movements look womanly and feel confident.

“She’s going to be a whole new woman,” Rosen said.
Sterner said the minute-and-a-half routine contains about 20 different steps. Tart said she envisioned learning only four steps and repeating them over and over.

“I never thought there’d be so many steps,” she said.
Tart learned all the steps and said she will spend her last month of practices polishing the routine. Facial expressions, stage presence and not counting the beats out loud are all things Sterner tells her to work on.
“I never had a man tell me what to do so much in all my life, and I have to follow it,” Tart said with a laugh. “I’m surprised he hasn’t quit on me.”

But Sterner said Tart is one of his best students and wouldn’t want any other partner.
“I am so lucky to have her for a partner because I’m sure not all people would have given the time and energy she has to learn this dance,” he said.

Tart plans to continue dancing after the competition, but right now, the only thing she can focus on is her stage debut.
“I see us as entertainment and helping people have a good time while raising money for students,” she said. “But we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

“Dancing With the Stars” will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the Sea Trail Resort ballroom. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online at www.brunswickcollegefoundation.com.
Votes for couples can also be purchased at the Web site for $10 each. Votes are unlimited. All money raised will directly benefit future students in the forms of scholarships.

 If you wish to vote for Jim and Cynthia, click on the link above and have your credit card ready for as many votes as you card will hold.  They're $10 each.