‘Dancing with Stars’ concludes tonight

A packed house greeted the first of two successive evenings of the 2nd Annual “Dancing With the Stars” at the Raven Performing Arts Theater Friday night.

The event, a fundraiser to help defray operating and repair costs for the history theater, features nine couples culled from local “stars” and dancing professionals.  Tonight’s show has been sold out for weeks, according to The Raven’s Carol Noack.

Local celebrities for this year’s event including Neil Cronin, who owns John & Zekes, Hallie Beacham, a retired physician and Jessica Greer, the reigning Miss  Sonoma County.  The judges are Elizabeth Mustaro, Stephen Nordquist and Buddy Schwimmer.

Sponsors include Hafner Vineyard, Costeaux French Bakery, Dutcher Crossing, Camellia Inn, Rack & Riddle, Kobrin Financial & Insurance Services, BRBC, DeLoach Vineyards and Portalupi.

Among the dances to be performed tonight is the Night-Club 2-step created by Schwimmer. Mr. Healdsburg Chris Herrod will be reading the judge’s rules. During deliberations and breaks in the performances, guest dance acts will perform, including the Nordquist Jr. Dance Club, doing a cha-cha. For more information or to cast a donation-as-vote for your favorite pair of dancers, go to http://raventheater.org.

Tonight’s lineup features the following contestants (local celebrity, professional dancer and dance type):

Neil Cronin/Lauralie Staley/Lindy

Viveka Rydell/Eddie Vedolla Jr/Night Club 2-Step

Bobbie Beehler/Tony Gutsch/Hustle

Tom Chambers/Janelle Guide/West Coast Swing

Richard Fourzon/Brina Cimino/Waltz

Jessica Greer/John Ross/ChaCha

Jennifer LeBrett/Griffin Wayne/Night Club 2-Step

Jennifer Gotti/Ray Byun/East Coast Swing

Hallie Beacham/Jason Taylor/Night Club 2-Step