EVENT PICS: Dancing With The Stars of Shreveport

It may have been chilly outside, but inside the Strand Theatre Saturday night, the air was hot and electric.

The entire venue was alive with "dance fever" as the Christian Dance Center/Make a Difference Dance, Inc. presented "Dancing With The Stars of Shreveport."

The night featured a variety of dance performances -- from belly dancing and tap to salsa and gospel; each presented with a dose of history and nearly flawless execution.

The choreographers took each genre and brought out a flair that was impossible to ignore. If you weren't interested in dance before this event, you left wanted to attempt as least ONE class.

As the performers entered, graced and left the stage, the audience grew hungry for more.

From the opening act, featuring the company's version of "Dreamgirls" (featuring attorneys Sheva Sims, Lori C. Graham and Jacqueline Scott) ... to the flash and dazzle of the BPCC Ladies in Gold's "Lady Marmalade" ... to the intense intimacy of couples Jimmy and Beverly Lynch, Mikko and Robyn Kemppe and Jerry and Tara-ma Davenport -- each step, each move, each act was a thrill to watch.

And speaking of thrills, it was especially entertaining to see Patrick Mosley (of Mosley's Movements) perform as Michael Jackson (below) and then bring his dancers on to perform "Thriller."

The event was hosted by KDKS personality Quenn Echols, and former KSLA anchor Michelle White-Lafitte (below).

"Star" presenters included KSLA reporter Katrina Webber as well as stars who did double duty (both presenting and performing): KSLA reporters Jonathan McCall and Tania Francois, KTAL anchor Heidi York, and MBC President-Elect/Entrepenuer/State Farm Agent Katrina Thomas (pictured below).

Unlike ABC's Dancing With The Stars there were no judges, no scores and no eliminations.

Just hours of great dancing by some very talented people from all ages and all walks of life. It may not have been a network broadcast hit, but it definitely scored a 10 with the audience.

All the proceeds from the event go toward Make A Difference Dance, Inc. The non-profit organization was founded in 2005 by Terry Jackson, a Shreveport native and accomplished dancer/choreographer, and it gives local children the opportunity to take free dance classes in ballet, hip hop, tap and jazz (as long as their grades and conduct are up to par in their other classrooms).

The organization's mission is to "reach souls through dance, discover and enhance God given talents, promote high self-esteem of children in the community with positive influences while encouraging them to work hard at being their best, and teach them to believe there is no limit to what God can do..."

This powerful mission that seems to be working ... and spreading. This infectious need to reach out and dance has definitely made a difference in the lives of those on that stage Saturday night. And it's definitely made a difference in mine.

• To learn more about the Christian Dance Center and Make A Difference, Inc., go to http://www.christiandancecenterllc.com/

• To see more photos from the event, go HERE. (They are a must see!)