2024 Dancing with the Reading Stars

The purpose of Dancing with the Reading Stars Event is to raise the money necessary to support on-going operations, scholarships, productions, and our many outreach and offsite programs:

• 50% of the outreach programs are provided at little or no cost to the community.

• In addition to its onsite classes and preschool, Yocum Institute outreach and offsite programs impact 30,000 people each year.

• 80% are under the age of 18 and 50% of those served are considered at risk population.

 

Although many do not realize it, the Yocum Institute is much more than the bricks and mortar of the building located at 3000 Penn Avenue. Yocum Institute is the leader in community arts education in Berks County.

 

Our programs are delivered through our partnerships including:

• Reading School District

• PAL/Olivet Boys & Girls Clubs

• Berks County Public Libraries

• Wilson Area School District

• John Paul II Center for Special Learning

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Nationally, Yocum Institute partnered with the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis in 2008 as one of 13 host sites for their critical literacy program, Neighborhood Bridges. This program has been effectively used in over 175 classrooms in the Reading School District.

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Yocum Institute has been in the business of arts education for both arts and non-arts outcomes for 89 years.

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About the Event

Dancing with the Reading Stars (DWTRS) involves 10-15 dance pairs from throughout our diverse community. In addition to creating a 90 second dance routine that is performed on Friday, April 26, each pair solicits sponsorships and votes. The public is encouraged to raise funds by placing votes of $10 for the pair(s) of your choice. Votes can be done online, sent through the mail or by calling the Yocum Institute. Online voting will be available by February 15; voting closes with the live performances the night of the event. Erich Cawalla will be co-hosting and his fantastic Uptown Band will provide cocktail and dinner music as well as host the after-performance Dance Party.

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Dancers choose their own music and either create their own routine, or work with a choreographer to assist them in developing a routine. This is not just about dancing; it’s about fun and fundraising! In our first year in 2011, the event sold out with 450 attendees and netting over $45,000 for community programs. By 2019, the audience grew to over 500 and raised $120,000. In 2017, we moved our event to the DoubleTree Hotel to provide more seating for a growing audience for this fun event. In 2021, we raised over $238,000!

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The 2024 Ticket Prices are $100 per ticket. $1000 for a table of 10 or $1,250 for a Premium Dance Floor table for 10 (very limited availability). All reserved tables are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and seat 10, tables MUST be reserved and paid for by March 6. After this they will be released to the public. Prior to March 6, Premium Tables must be reserved by contacting Susan Rohn at 610-376-1576. All other tables and individual tickets may be purchased online at www.yocuminstitute.org. After March 6, any remaining Premium Tables will be open online to purchase by the general public.