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Ballroom Dancing Coming To Music Festival

Ballroom dancer Lauryn Sperling is one of the entertainers who will perform at the 21st Watermelon Carnival Music Festival. – Photo Provided

Show up Saturday and Erik Fearing will help you get happy.

    The Town and Country Garden Club is bringing something new and different to the stage for the Music Festival on July 31 in the Civic Auditorium. Members are excited to have ballroom dancer Lauryn Sperling along with others that are sure to entertain. Lauryn has made quite a dance debut since coming to Oxford.
    She discovered ballroom dancing when she was a brand new student at Ole Miss working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She fell in love with the joy of dancing and participated in every class, workshop, dance party and dance camp in the region, striving to learn as much about dance as she could.  It wasn’t long before she was invited to become part of the pro staff of The Dance Studio of Tupelo’s team.
    Lauryn is a DVIDA certified instructor, earning high honors. She has trained with top level pros such as Ron Montez, Jim Maranto and Felipe and Carolina Telona as well as studying extensively with Tammy Wilson.  Lauryn learned Salsa first hand from Daniel Peña and specializes in Cuban-style salsa. While Lauryn enjoys all forms of dancing, her favorites include Salsa and West Coast Swing. She is currently working on gaining competitive experience in the West Coast circuit.
    While Lauryn is constantly striving to improve, she believes the most important aspect of dancing is having fun.  She loves to introduce people to dance and help them continue to improve their skills. She is currently working to expand the social ballroom dancing sphere in and around the Ole Miss campus with both group and private lessons.  
    Lauryn aims to make each and every lesson productive and enjoyable.  Since it wasn’t long ago that Lauryn was learning ballroom for the first time, one of her strengths is breaking down the steps and making them easy to understand and utilize.  
    Pre-show music begins at 6:30 with the Sharecroppers and the main event kicks off at 7 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased at Turnage Drug Store, Chamber of Commerce office, or from garden club members.

Show Up Saturday With A Happy Face And Heart For ‘Happy’ Video


    This year’s 21st Watermelon Carnival Music Festival at the Water Valley Civic Auditorium is under the direction of Zandra Walker and Jonnie Mayo. First Baptist Church Worship Leader Erik Fearing will be the host for the show.
    Along with hosting Fearing is directing a video to the popular song by Pharrell, “Happy.” The video will star many local businesses. On Saturday, July 19, at 11 a.m. in front of the downtown pavilion we hope to gather many locals to participate in this video. If you are interested in participating gather there before 11 a.m. to receive your instructions prior to the actual filming.
    Organizers  think this is going to be a lot of fun and  hope to involve as many locals as possible. Show up with a happy face and heart!

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