DANCING FOR A CAUSE
Hundreds turned out Saturday night for fox-trotting, Texas two-stepping, Lindy hopping local celebrities and raised nearly $40,000 to help the Butler County Symphony and its educational outreach programs.
“It was very exciting to learn something you've never learned before,” said Dr. Dean Balouris. “It was a lot of work. The song made it easier. It really engaged the crowd.”
The Butler ophthalmologist was one of eight county professionals participating in the “Dance with Butler County Celebrities” fundraiser at the Days Inn modeled after ABC's popular “Dancing with the Stars” show. His mighty merengue with professional dance partner Luanne O'Brien shared top honors during the first-ever event hosted by the Friends of the Symphony in conjunction with Dance with Pittsburgh Celebrities.
Sharing in the coveted “Judges Award” with Balouris was Butler School District second-grade teacher Amanda Gold and her West Coast Swing professional dance partner Michael Gehrling.Both couples wowed the celebrity judges — Sheriff Michael Slupe, Slippery Rock University dance professor Lindsay Viatori and District Judge Dave Kovach, earning perfect scores. Bob Dandoy from the Musical Theater Guild and Butler Little Theatre emceed the event.Even though he may not have foxtrotted his way to the winner's circle, celebrity Mike Manipole cherished his experience on the 26-by-32-foot dance floor and earned himself the “Most Improved Dancer” award.
“We formed a really nice bond,” the Cranberry Township supervisor said of getting to know his fellow competitors. “We cheered one another on. You couldn't find a nicer group of people.”Swinging his way into crowd pleasing cheers was Terrible Towel twirling Nicholas Neupauer, president of Butler County Community College, and his professional dance partner Cathy Kelly who took the floor decked out in Pirates and Steelers gear to the tune of a classic Western Pennsylvania polka. On the other side of the musical spectrum, cowboy boots scooting county Commissioner Kevin Boozel and his Texas two-stepping professional dance partner Heidi Tracey had the crowd clapping along Zack Brown Band's Chicken Fried. The couple tied the “Best Costume” award.Cathy Champagne, event co-chair, said the sold-out program helped raise thousands of dollars to support musical arts in the county. The symphony's educational outreach program provides an informative musical program by a core group of orchestra members at four different county schools each season.
<iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0TbCa_hXDd0?rel=0&showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>“It was fun,” Champagne said, adding that organizers started planning for the event more than a year ago and are already looking ahead to future events. “Everyone — and I mean everyone — on our committee worked so hard.”More than 40 organizations and businesses helped make it possible.Three People's Choice awards were handed out to celebrities who helped raise the most money through support and donations. Taking home first place was the Butler Eagle's own Tammy Schuey, assistant general manager of the newspaper, who Hustled her way to the top spot with professional dance partner Trevor Runco.“I'm super excited. It's such a great cause — the Butler County Symphony Orchestra,” Schuey said, thanking her partner for his dance moves and her supporters for their donations. “It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun as well. It was truly great getting to know everyone.”Other People's Choice winners were county Commissioner Leslie Osche and her Lindy hopping partner professional dancer Nathan Phillips; and the rumba/cha-cha mixing Cathy Glasgow, president of Butler County Ford, and her professional dance partner Joe O'Brien.
