Mohawk Presents Calhoun’s Dancing with the Stars 2013 will hit the GEM Theatre with a March 15 opening night and conclude with a finale on Saturday, March 16 when four judges present one of the eight teams with the coveted “Mirror Ball” trophy. Both shows are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm, with the Saturday finale also streaming via a live feed at Velo Vineyard presented to accommodate the sell-out.

Sixth on the roster are Liza Bohannon Allen and Matt Barton, dancing to one of the evening’s liveliest numbers. This team is ready to hit the ceiling before they tear up this town as they cut footloose to the Kenny Loggins dance standard and spark up the GEM with a youthful and energetic show-stopper.

Liza is 2001 graduate of Gordon Central High School. She has been married to Brandon Allen for seven years and is the mother of two young sons, Isaac and Lucas. She is currently employed as a make-up artist, working with her mother, Margaret Bohannon, at the Calhoun Merle Norman boutique. She attended Lees-McRae College on a full dance scholarship, earning an Associates degree in Dance and then attended Reinhardt College, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Communications.

Liza is an accomplished dancer with a wealth of experience. She has skills in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, contemporary and modern dance. She has performed in a variety of productions and won a number of awards, both for dance and choreography. As one of the youngest dancers, she is sure to hit the stage running.

Matt Barton is dancing with Liza Bohannon Allen. He owns and operates his own courier service, so he is expected to deliver a quality performance. Married for nineteen years to Calhoun educator Lynne Barton, he is the father of two daughters, Kathryn and Leslie. He has no personal dancing experience but has performed in several community plays, so if he can’t really cut loose, he can at least act like a dancer. Barton and his family attend Calhoun First United Methodist Church, where he serves on the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

An active community partner, he is currently serving on the Calhoun City Council. He is first Vice-President of Region 1 for the Georgia Municipal Association, Vice- Chair of the Gordon County Hospital Authority Board, and Calhoun Recreation Board. He previously served on the Calhoun City School Board. Barton agreed to participate in Mohawk Presents Calhoun’s Dancing with the Stars because he is eager to help present a show that raises so much money for good works in Calhoun- Gordon County.

Mohawk Presents Calhoun’s Dancing with the Stars is a joint fundraiser, with all profits benefiting the GEM Theatre and United Way of Gordon County. Each of the eight teams is competing in two capacities: as fundraisers and as dancers. Their fundraising efforts are limited only by their imaginations.

Team supporters may make online donations at www.gordoncountyunitedway.org until right before the finale. Online donors must make a minimum pledge of $5, with Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Those wishing to make personal donations may do so by offering their payments to United Way Director Vickie Spence at her office in the Calhoun Depot. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted at that location. Supporters may also present their donations directly to their favored team. Donations will be collected during the Friday and Saturday shows.