Image by Cinco de MayoImage by 20090414-dance.jpg
Come celebrate during Charleston's fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and watch local celebrities compete for the title of "Charleston’s Best Salsa Couple" in the Dancing with Local Stars competition.
This year's stars include Charleston Magazine Style Editor Ayoka Lucas, Live 5 News Reporter Tracy Amick, News 2 Anchor Tara Lynn, and Z93 Jamz Producer and DJ Nate Lopes.
Local Mexican cuisine, Cuervo margaritas, Mexican beer, and Latin American entertainment will all be provided.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 with current student ID, and free for children 12 and under. Food and drinks are sold separately.
So, head down to the Visitor's Center Bus Terminal on Friday, May 1, from 7 to 11 p.m.
Who's dancing
Ayoka Lucas, Charleston Magazine Style Editor
Ayoka Lucas’ career as an innovative stylist began more than a decade ago in Atlanta, where she styled a local nightlife columnist and other celebrities. Lucas then joined the Charleston magazine team as style editor, producing the magazine’s monthly Style File, quarterly fashion features, and ongoing style blog. She is also the creative visionary behind Charleston magazine’s Charleston Fashion Week, which has received national recognition and been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for March 2009.
Tracey Amick –WCSC Live 5 News Reporter
Tracy Amick is an Anchor/Reporter for Live 5 News. She is from New Orleans and her hobbies include SEC Football (and Baseball, and Basketball), Triathlons, Playing Golf and Off Shore Fishing.
Tara Lynn – WBCD News 2 Anchor
News 2's Tara Lynn is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina where she majored in electronic journalism. You can catch Tara every morning at 5am anchoring News 2 Today and News 2 Midday. Tara also reports, produces and directs the internship program at News 2 where she has worked for almost three years. Tara loves spending her free time teaching aerobics, scrapbooking, cheering on the Tar Heels and most of all hanging out with her little sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Nate Lopes – Z 93 Jamz Producer and DJ
Nate Lopes aka DJ Natty Heavy was born and raised in Providence, RI but is now a Charleston, SC transplant. Nate works with Da Breakfuss Club Morning Show on Z 93 Jamz as a producer, is a Mix Show DJ on Z 93 Jamz and Magic 107.3, and performs regularly at the hottest bars and clubs in the Charleston area.
You can catch their rehearsals on YouTube.
Final thoughts
Oh, and here's a bit more about the festival from an e-mailed press release: "Entertainment will also include live performances by 15-piece salsa band Orquesta GarDel, professional salsa dance group Buen Ache and local professional ballroom dancers. Top Latin hits from DJ Luigi will finish out the night.
"The mission of the Charleston Cinco de Mayo Festival is to encourage togetherness between diverse communities in the Charleston area, to celebrate Hispanic and Latin American cultures, and raise funds and awareness for The Ryan White HIV Care Program at Roper St. Francis Healthcare."
You can learn more about the festival at their Web site, or their Facebook page.
