Locals competing for mirror ball trophy in Dancing With the Tahoe Stars

For the past few weeks, "celebrities" from South Lake Tahoe have been practicing with their professional partners, all in a quest to win the coveted mirror ball trophy in the Tahoe Arts Project's 4th annual Dancing with the Tahoe Stars

All of the rehearsing, and nursing aches and pains, have come down to this, the final event which will be held at MontBleu Resort on Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.

South Tahoe Now caught up with a few of the couples in their secret rehearsals as they polished up their dance moves in preparation for the big night.

Dancing coach Rhonda Keen drew TechTastic owner Zion Finke as her partner for the event, and they two just happened to be good friends before they started dancing. They will be dancing "ballroom." Keen said a story is being told through their dance. They wouldn't divulge what the song would be and people will just have to wait to hear on Saturday night.

"My only experience dancing is after a night of drinking while at UNR," said Finke.

Keen is the South Tahoe High cheerleader coach and a real estate agent with Sierra Sothebys.

"This is much harder than I imagined," said Chad Houck, principal at South Tahoe High. "I am lucky to be working with one of the best teachers," he said of his partner Robyn Linder who is not only a dance teacher, but a teacher at his high school. "We're going to be awesome."

The celebrities competing and their partners:

Physician Kelly Shanahan and Rainer Herm — disco.
CrossFit trainer Iris Kamm with Jorge Favio Orozco — salsa.
Retired UPS worker Michelle Ludiker and Wolfgang Reichstine — fox trot.
Physician Mandi Weavil and Gerzon Chaves — cumbia.
Whittell High School teacher Lindsay Wines and Bob Truesdale — two step.
South Tahoe High School Principal Chad Houck and Robyn Lindner — swing.
TechTastic owner Zion Fink and Rhonda Keen — Broadway.
South Lake Tahoe police Sgt. Travis Cabral with Rebecca Lincoln — ChaCha.
OneTrust Home Loans owner David Greco with Anjela Zajic — hip hop.
Lakeland Village Resort’s Jerry Bindel and Angela Smith — waltz

Host Dreu Murin will take the stage once again as the dancers perform for the judges and audience. One couple will be presented with the trophy.

The People's Choice award goes to the couple who raises the most money in donations, both at the event and on line, though on line donations have ended.

The format of the evening is similar to the popular TV show, with the celebrities in costume, and dancing in front of a panel of judges. Returning for the fourth year are judge Don Bosson, Paul Middlebrook and Marcia Sarosik, who between them have 150 years of experience in entertaining.

There are a few tickets left, ranging in price from $15 to 45. They will also be available at the door starting at 4:30 p.m. if any remain, so online purchase is recommended at www.tahoeartsproject.tix.com.