September 30, 2008 03:08 pm
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A great show, plus some big ticket auction items, combined to raise thousands of dollars for the United Way of Norman.
More than 240 people attended Celebrity Sing at the Kerr McGee Courtside Club on Friday night. They were treated to a special show, featuring the singing voices of community leaders like Bill Hetherington, Chuck Thompson, Lindsey Bailey and DeWayne Beggs.
The dancing of a group of City of Norman employees got the crowd on their feet. Anthony Francisco, Ken Komiske, Shawn O'Leary, Jeff Bryant and Jim Bailey dressed up like the Village People for a wild performance of "YMCA."
Another dance number heated things up a little later in the show. Wearing red jackets, white gloves and sunglasses; Sean Crandall, Kevin Hopper, Tyler LaReau and Steve McDaniel wowed the crowd with the Four Tops classic "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)."
The energy of emcee Clarke Stroud and enthusiasm of auctioneer Gene McKown helped drive the Celebrity Sing auction. With ten items up for bid, the auction flew by as musical numbers introduced each item.
When the bidding stopped, almost $11,000 had been raised for the United Way. Add in ticket sales, and Celebrity Sing raised $21,650. That number would have been much lower if not for the generosity of those who donated food, auction items and their time or talent.
The sounds of Turbans Over Memphis capped off the evening. A large crowd stayed to dance the night away, as the band played live music under the stars until almost midnight.
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