Ballroom dancing is returning to Madison.
The Boys and Girls Club of Madison County will once again host Dancing for the Stars this month. The event, in its fourth year, raises much needed funds for the organization that serves local children both after school and during the summer.
This year’s couples are Merri and Jason Woodward, Shannon and Nathan Carter and Ashley and Jamie Artale.
The Woodwards have been married for nearly 28 years and are Madison County natives. Both are Madison County High School graduates and have three daughters and five grandchildren. Jason is a Journeyman Lineman with Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and Merri owns the popular local coffee shop and bakery Cake Krums.
The Carters moved to the Graves Mill area of Madison County in 2008. Nathan manages Rapidan River Ranch, an approximately 2,000 acre regenerative cow-calf farming operation. He also serves as chairman of the Madison County Parks and Recreation Authority Board and coaches the high school boys soccer team. Shannon is an artist and manages Graves Mill Farm, partnering with a variety of local organizations.
The Artales grew up in the Aroda area of Madison County. They both attended James Madison University and married in 2008. Ashley owns Artale Consulting and Cabinets for You. She is also the co-owner of Make It Home Design Company in Ruckersville and is a member of several local organizations and boards. Jamie is a clinical pharmacist at the University of Virginia Medical Center. The couple has two children and have won several golf tournaments together.
The three pairs will compete with choreographed routines. The couple earning the highest marks from judges will win the coveted mirror ball trophy. Each couple also has the opportunity to earn the People’s Choice Award by earning votes online. Every dollar contributed toward a couple equals one vote. As of Wednesday, the Woodwards lead in the People’s Choice voting with $1,601. In people’s choice donations alone, the event has already raised more than $4,600 and has raised nearly $110,000 through sponsorships and ticket sales.
Dancing for the Stars will be held at Early Mountain Vineyards Friday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the three couples dancing, there will also be a special performance from members of the club. Tickets for the event are sold out, but folks can still vote for the people’s choice winner until the start of the third dance of the night. To vote for a people’s choice winner, visit https://app.betterunite.com/boysgirlsclubsofcentralvirginia-dancingforthestars.
