The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast will be jumping this week for the center’s first Dancing With the Scotland Stars and Art’s Desire Auction fundraiser.

The auction preview will begin on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with the auction starting at 7 p.m.

The dance competition, featuring local “celebrity” couples, will commence at 7:45 p.m. Each couple will perform one routine, scored by a panel of three judges: Annie Cureton, Judge John Horne, and Theresa Alexander of Bob’s Jewel Shop.

Nine couples will compete for titles like judges’ favorite and audience favorite on Saturday: chiropractor Ray Armstrong and wife Jan, Scotland High School football coach Richard Bailey and wife Laura, UNC Pembroke assistant dean Mark Canada and wife Lisa, Gary Gallman of WLNC and wife Terry, Scotland County EMS Director Roylin Hammond and former Laurinburg City Clerk Dee Hammond, storyteller Tyris Jones and former Laurinburg city councilwoman Joy Ellison, Richmond Community College trustee and former Scotland County commissioner Joyce McDow and husband Robert, Laurinburg Mayor Tommy Parker and Tippy Dowling, and counselor Noran Sanford and physical therapist Jennifer Sanford.

The Art’s Desire Auction accompanying the dance event will offer some 100 pieces including jewelry, pottery, wall hangings, and vacation packages.

“We have some really beautiful art pieces and some wonderful trips - many very lovely things,” said SACS Executive Director Jan Schmidt. “We did concentrate on arts and vintage. People have been very generous.”

With over 150 tickets sold, there are no seats left available, as demand for tickets actually necessitated a few interior alterations inside the SACS building.

“We were surprised at how quickly the room filled up; we had to take down walls to make room,” said Schmidt. “It’s going to be a great evening.”

However, it is still possible to support a favorite couple while contributing to the Storytelling and Arts Center. Supporters can add a check or cash to their favorite couple’s money jar at SACS on Wednesday and Friday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. More money will be added by those attending Saturday night’s event, and the couple with the highest total at the end of the evening will win a mirror ball.

Those who wish to send checks may do so, with the name of their favorite couple clearly indicated. Checks should be made out to SACS and sent to P.O. Box 2154, Laurinburg, NC, 28352. Checks must arrive by Saturday to be counted.