The Raven Performing Arts Theater held its fifth annual “Dancing with the Stars” fundraiser last weekend, a sold-out event that paired local “stars” with professional dancers. The couples performed two dances during the evening and were judged on dance moves and popularity.
Tami Hucke Norgrove and her pro partner Eddie Vedolla Jr. won the Grand Prize Mirror Ball trophy, given to the dance team that had the most votes using a combination of audience votes (via donated dollars) and judge votes (using a standard competitive dance rating system).
Norgrove is the Chief Financial Officer of Bear Republic Brewing Company and Vedolla is a past World Swing Dance Champion. Tami and Eddie danced East Coast Swing to the tune of Buddy Guy’s “(Baby) You’ve Got What It Takes.”
The Popular Vote winners were: Tami and Eddie, first place. Healdsburg Little League President Cindy Beth and her pro Tony Favalora, second; and star Tom Duryea and pro Susan Lombard Conrad placed third.
The Judge’s Choice winners were: star Jessica Adams and pro Tony Gutsch, first place; star Christine Cramer and pro Griffen Wayne, second place; star Jason Weiss and pro Lauralie Mayhew, third.
Most Creative Use of Dance was awarded to Jessica Adams and Tony Gutsch.
Other local “stars” included Ted Calvert, Bob Durler, Marilyn Carsner and Monica Garcia.
The event raised more than $40,000 to support the performing arts theater.
– Submitted by Carol Noack
