FLORENCE — Tina was dressed to the hilt as she led Ike and Tina in a rousing rendition of “Proud Mary” to a first-place finish in “The Stars Are Out” talent show at Francis Marion University’ Robert E. McNair Auditorium on Friday.
The 12th annual Florence County Disabilities Foundation event was sponsored by Carolinas Hospital System. Regional talent came from Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Sumter and Lee counties.
But what about the command performance put on by Ike and Tina from the Florence County Disabilities and Special Needs Board? The team consisted of Lillie Eaddy, Christina Robinson, Toshia Sanders and Kevin Williams.
Tina was decked in a short, black-sequined dress with shiny black, spiked high heels. The backup singers were also dressed in black.
Tina started out slowly with “Proud Mary,” but once she cranked up, the notes were bouncing off the ceiling in the Robert E. McNair Auditorium.
They were all rolling when rolling time came.
Tina put her mike on the floor, then rolled her arms, twisted, turned and backed up ever so slowly while lifting her dress just a sensuous tad to the delight of the standing room-only crowd.
But it wasn’t an easy win for Ike and Tina. Twins Dontae and Fontae Monroe of the Pee Dee Center also came on strong, finishing a close second. They danced to “Walking Out.”
The twins stood on their heads, did flips and splits, kicked their legs up and rolled around. And as if that wasn’t enough, they threw their arms out, urging the crowd to cheer that much more.
Finishing in third place was The Star Dance Group from Marion. Their skit was titled “To Wang Wit It.”
Winners in the art contest were Barbara Grant, first, Gloria Robinson, second and Michelle Barefoot, third. Robinson’s second-place drawing captured WBTW News13 personality Cecil Chandler perfectly.
Allyson Floyd of WPDE Newschannel 15, was mistress of ceremonies for the eighth straight year.
“It’s just so much fun to be here,” the Lake City native said. “The contestants are so energetic, happy, full of life and so proud of themselves when they get to perform. I wouldn’t miss this, it’s my favorite event of the year.”
Judges for the contest were Ronda Amick of Turner, Padgett, Graham & Laney; Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone; Rufus Britt of the S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs; Sylvia Butler of Turner, Padgett, Graham & Laney; Patricia Burkett of WBTW News13; and Frank James of BB&T.
And, as an extra before the talent competition began, James Brown made an appearance in the form of Dennis Jefferson, a Florence County DSN employee. Jefferson — James Brown wig and all — got down with “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” and finished with his red cape fluttering to the strains of “Please, Please, Please.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement