Oh what a night!!! This community is impressive.

Think about it:
+12 people, very busy people, learned dance routines and rehearsed them in all of their "spare time."
+10 professional dancers chose music, choreographed dances, and turned non-dancers into dancers.
+ 11 people planned, organized and executed an amazing pre-party and post-party to make the evening a spectacular event.
+26 people took their places to make sure the event went smoothly
+3 individuals lent their expertise to judge the dances
+1 person served as emcee with incredible wit and showbiz elan
+1 person planned, envisioned and executed incredible lights, sound and video effects
+ 230 people filled the seats to support their friends
+many, many people voted for weeks leading up to the show
+25 board members promoted and supported the event
+8 arts team members coordinated, organized, promoted, stage managed, and counted votes

Working together for something greater than ourselves brings us such satisfaction, doesn't it? People discover a deep comraderie doing something together that benefits others.

Last night the energy was electric! The enthusiasm was high! From beginning to end was a true work of art, from the food and tent and decorations, to the spectacular show, to the dancing under the stars to the music by a great deejay.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with all of these giving individuals. On the heels of a brutal election season it fills my heart to be a part of such joyful occasion.

Thank you for caring deeply for our community. The arts bring us together and help us see each other in a way that embraces our differences.

You raised $51,000 for the arts in our wonderful community! #dancingforthearts2016 #cabarrusartscouncil #yayart

Meet Sam Mullis, one of our volunteers at the Cabarrus Arts Council. Most people around here know Sam as Santa Sam. As a professional Santa Claus, thousands of kids have whispered in his ear requests for their most coveted toy. Most of the time, that means a puppy, a kitten, a reindeer and on occasion, a snake.

“I check with mom whenever a child asks for a reptile,” said Sam.

Sam appears at Bass Pro Shop, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum and plenty of other public places. He also stands in for the real St. Nicholas in children’s professional portraits.

He takes the job very seriously, and has learned the techniques to playing Santa through a series of professional Santa classes. The tricks to the trade are more surprising than you’d realize.