KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Hosts 17^th Annual REACH FOR THE STARS

CBS-12 Celebrates Two Big Wins in

Razzle-Dazzle Ballroom Dance Competition:

Liz Quirantes Jives Her Way to First Place &

Suzanne Boyd Out Foxtrots Mayor Lois Frankel

Fundraiser for Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R Series

Also Included Gourmet Food & Fine Wine

(West Palm Beach, FL – May __, 2010) The 17^th annual Reach for the Stars ballroom dance competition at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts was truly a night of sparkling moments, filled with great music, glittery gowns and hundreds of fast-moving, tap-happy feet in designer high heels and shiny black shoes.

Presented by the Young Friends of the Kravis Center, the annual fundraiser for the Kravis Center ‘s S*T*A*R (Students and Teachers Arts Resource) Series and education programs, was a particular triumph for local TV station CBS-12 as two of its top on-air personalities – Liz Quirantes and Suzanne Boyd -- were both big winners.

Despite a broken buckle that forced her to dance in borrowed shoes, the svelte Quirantes and her partner, Claude Crevier of Park Avenue Dance, were the obvious favorites of both the judges and the audience as they jazzy-jived their way to the number one spot.

Finishing in second place were cha cha champs Josh Cohen of 94.3 Reach Radio and Lesley Elsbury from Arthur Murray in Tequesta. Waltzing into third place were News Channel 5’s Marci Gonzalez and her partner Joe Murillo from Caruso Dancesport in Palm Beach.

Other twinkle-toe competitors were Steve Walsh, former NFL Quarterback and Head Football Coach at Cardinal Newman High School, and his partner Livia Maciel, also from Caruso Dancesport – he in the appropriate football jacket and she in cheerleader garb.

Plus the enthusiastic Corey Saban from THELAW.TV; J. Gwendolynne Berry, one of the Swirl Girls from The Palm Beach Post; and Rochelle Ritchie from WPTV News Channel 5, along with professional dancers Kyoung-im Kang from Park Avenue Dance in West Palm Beach and Brian Baker, and Armando Vega-Perez from Caruso Dancesport.

One of the evening’s highlights was the dazzling dance-off between Mayor Lois Frankel, 2009’s Dancing for the Stars winner, who came in second this year to 2008’s winner, CBS 12 NEWS and WFLX Fox 29’s Suzanne Boyd. Mayor Frankel’s tango partner was Angelo Caruso from Caruso Dancesport, while Ms. Boyd performed a perfect foxtrot with Herb Vazquez from The Palms West Ballroom.

In addition to the local ballroom dance competition, Ohio Star Ball Professional Latin Champions, Roman Kutsky and Anna Kovalova, wowed the audience with an eye-popping, mouth-dropping ballroom show dance exhibition.

The judges for the 2010 Reach for the Stars ballroom dance competition were Frank Cerabino and Leslie Gray Streeter from The Palm Beach Post, and former NYC Ballet dancer and dance photographer Steve Caras from Palm Beach Dramaworks. The evening’s festivities were emceed by Tim Byrd (“The Byrdman”), president of VOXPOWER.COM.

The talented Deirdre Baker once again provided all of the luscious costumes from Deirdre of London.

Guests began the evening by applauding the ballroom dance competition in the Gimelstob Ballroom at the Cohen Pavilion. Following the presentation of the coveted mirror ball trophies, the crowd moved to the Dreyfoos Hall lobbies to enjoy a two-hour wine tasting of gourmet food and wine 18 different restaurants and vendors: Blue Martini, City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, Echo, Executive Coffee Service, Grease Burger Bar, Havana, Ironwood Grille, Kona Grill, Leila, McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Michelle Bernstein at the Omphoy, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Palermo Bakery, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Temple Orange at the Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach, Whole Foods Market and Zuccarelli’s Restaurant.

The evening’s activities also included an exciting raffle. Nancy Mienik won a 7-day cruise for two to Alaska, an excursion for 10 at Bonefish Grill in Boynton Beach went to Michael Lyden, and Randy Prange netted a BMW Cruise Bicycle.

Marcie Gorman-Althof, David & Ingrid Kosowsky, Hillie Mahoney and the Sydelle & Arthur I. Meyer Foundation were Gold Sponsors of the Reach for the Stars, and Susan Z. Bloom and Jane M. Mitchell were Sponsors, with additional underwriting by Veronica Bauer and Melissa Wilson.

Additional support was provided by Bonefish Grill, Boynton Beach, Braman Motorcars Palm Beach, Celebrity Cruise Line, Deirdre of London, Eileen’s Cruise and Travel, Ellison Graphics Corporation, Ibis Liquors, The Palm Beach Post, Phase 9 Design Printing Web and Valentine Designs.

About the Young Friends of the Kravis Center:?

The Young Friends of the Kravis Center is a giving group of young professionals, 25ish to 49ish, committed to supporting arts and culture in Palm Beach County. The Young Friends organize events throughout the year to support education programs which enable the children of our community to be exposed to the arts. There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Young Friends, including discounts to the popular Reach for the Stars “Dancing for the Stars” Ballroom Dance Competition. For more information, call 561-651-4429.??

About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. 

The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL.  For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org/reachforthestars.

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS, Inc.

561.756.4298

gary@pr-bs.net