Chubby Checker to twist in DeLand tonight

Chubby Checker in DeLandDELAND -- Chubby Checker, whose song "The Twist," was the dance sensation of the early 1960s, will be coming to town tonight in celebration of Florida Hospital DeLand's 50th anniversary.

There will be a free street party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Indiana Avenue, during which we will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people twisting in the street, said Jeremy Reidenberg, san organizer of the event.

At 7:30 p.m., Chubby Checker will perform a benefit concert at the historic Athens Theater, located at the end of Indiana Ave.

All the proceeds from the concert will go to the Florida Hospital DeLand Foundation, which is a non-profit that gives medical services to the less fortunate. During the free street party there will be free prizes (many contests, including best retro costume and best dance moves contests), free food samples, an opportunity to break a world record, animals from the Central Florida Zoo and entertainment (many local dance groups performing on stage).