SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – Tickets are now on sale for the 16th Annual Dancing With The ARK’s Stars, hosted by The ARK of South Carolina on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Lowcountry Conference Center, 406 Sigma Drive, Summerville. The signature fundraiser begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by the official after-party, ARK After Dark, from 10 p.m. to midnight. Proceeds support The ARK’s mission of providing essential services, guidance and support to caregivers and families facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Each contestant trains for weeks before performing live before judges and supporters. Guests can vote for their favorite dancers through donations to help determine the People’s Choice Award, while a judges panel selects the Judges Award winner.
“This event is about making sure families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia know they are not alone,” said Peg Lahmeyer, executive director of The ARK. “Every dollar raised helps us continue delivering compassionate support services throughout our community.”
Since 1996, The ARK has provided respite care, caregiver support groups, education, caregiver consultations, resource referrals and community development for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. The organization serves Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties. As demand for caregiver support continues to rise, proceeds from Dancing With The ARK’s Stars help expand these critical services across the region.
General admission tickets are $130 per person or $240 per couple. Admission includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, silent auction access and cocktail-attire festivities. There are also tickets that include access to the after-party. Tickets, sponsorships and voting opportunities are available at www.thearkofsc.org.
Following the main event, guests are invited to continue the celebration at ARK After Dark, the official after-party hosted by the Leadership Dorchester Class of 2026, from 10 p.m. to midnight. ARK After Dark will feature food, drinks, games, raffles and dancing, with proceeds directly benefiting the Leadership Dorchester Pavilion Project. The initiative will create a dedicated outdoor pavilion space for The ARK to expand programs, host events and better serve local families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The 2026 dancers include:
- Priscilla Bloedoorn, owner, Not Your Average Wings
- Griff Buddin, loan officer, First National Bank of South Carolina
- Susan Clark, clinic liaison, WELS Care Wound Care
- Larry Collett, owner, Larry Collett Consulting Group
- Megan Greiner, talent acquisition, Trident Construction
- Laura Meehan, owner, Signs ASAP & Print ASAP
- Brian Titze, civil designer, Seamon Whiteside + Associates
- Steven Wright, PIO, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
The 2026 professional dancers, in partnership with Ballroom Dance Charleston, will coach the celebrity contestants and choreograph their routines. The professional dancers include:
- Hannah Chiou
- Justin Chiou
- James Jiang
- Debbie Housand
- Anna McSwain
- Charlene Mims
- Alexander Spencer
- David Roland
The 2026 Judges include:
- Carolyn Murray, WCBD News2 co-anchor
- Gretchen Cuddy, 2025 Judges’ Choice Award Winner
- Marina Fridmanovich, Professional Dancer
Innovative Resource Management presents the 2026 event with support from community partners, including Ballroom Dance Charleston and the Lowcountry Conference Center.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Cocktail attire is requested. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact info@thearkofsc.org or call 843-471-1360.
The 15th Annual Dancing with The ARK's Stars event was held in May 2025 and raised $250,000 with 500 audience members. Russ Touchberry and Alina Spencer took home the 2025 Mirror Ball Trophy for raising over $59,000. Gretchen Cuddy and Anna McSwain won the 2025 Judges' Award for their Charleston performance.