Rotorua's Harcourts Dancing with the Stars halfway there

With just six weeks left to go, Harcourts Dancing with the Stars dancers have now stepped over the halfway mark to showtime.

The fundraising event for Rotorua Community Hospice is being held on July 28 at the Energy Events Centre.

Hospice Rotorua fundraising and marketing manager Nicola Smallwood says preparation and practices are going great.

"All our amazing couples are practising at least three times a week, sometimes four or five. It's incredible the amount of time they contribute for Rotorua Hospice."

She says the preparations for the big night are also coming along, and there will be a few changes to keep it interesting.

Nicola says it is both exciting and scary to have passed the halfway mark.

"We're on track to put on another spectacular night, but every time someone says 'only seven weeks to go', you get a little nervous."

She says a highlight has been seeing the dancers transform from their nervous jitters on the first night to owning the dance floor.

"It's also been great to experience so much community support, from all our sponsors who make the night possible, to our dancers and to everyone who buys tickets."

Tickets went on sale on June 1 and all the tables sold out within two hours.

There are still general admission tickets available.

"We'd love to see the grandstands fill on the night. We are expecting them to sell out too so don't leave it too late."

Tickets are available through ticketmaster.co.nz or at the Energy Events Centre.

"Ultimately, it comes down to raising money for Rotorua Hospice.

"I have the privilege of seeing how hard our nurses, healthcare assistants and educators work each day.

"If we can raise $150,000 to ensure they can continue to do their great work, I would be absolutely thrilled. And, of course, we can't wait to see the show."

Dancer Kat Hicks says so far the process has been both fun and frustrating, but also rewarding.

Highlights for her have included getting to know the group and becoming part of the dancing family.

"A challenge has definitely been learning to put your feet, body, hands and thoughts all in the right place at the right time."

She says she is quietly terrified bit also excited about the upcoming show.

Dance partners Abbie Proudley and Ricky Brackfield say so far it has been intense but heaps of fun.

Abbie says a highlight is the people.

"As a partnership, we've got an awesome friendship. I think that's something I will treasure forever."

They say they are excited about the upcoming show and are happy they have their full routine so they focus on perfecting it.

"Sometimes you have expectations of yourself but we have to look at how far we've come."