The State Street Ballet organization came up with a novel idea for a spring fund-raiser with the first Dancing with the Stars event, mimicking the wildly popular television show.

Co-chairs Linda Hedgepath, Gloria Montano and Jill Dexter gathered their friends and local “celebrities” to help put their benefit show together. Locals who were paired with the company’s professional dancers included financial advisor Tim “Twinkle Toes” Tremblay, Nina “The Doll” Terzian, banker Mary Ellen Tiffany, Jim “The Real” McCoy, Jill “Happy Feet” Levinson, Leni Fe Bland, Leila Drake, Alyson Matton, Andrea Shaparenko, Jeney McCoy and ballet director Rodney Gustafson.

Wine and cocktails, served during the social hour, were enjoyed by guests indluding ophthalmologists George Primbs and Rise Oschner, Mike and Jennie Petlow, Patricia Gregory, Dr. Harry Brown, investment manager Joe Scifers, Jennifer Ono, Marty Blum, Harriet Miller, Carole Marsch, Randy Weiss, Steve Crandell, and Marie Profant. The completely impartial judges included Barney Brantingham, Marilyn Gilbert, Martha Smiglis, John Romo, Larry Crandell and Joanne Funari.

A highlight of the evening was the special presentation to the venerable and generous Sara Miller McCune, who was lauded for her support and love of the arts.

The crowd of over 200 rose to its feet in appreciation of McCune’s good works in the greater Santa Barbara community.

State Street Ballet is Santa Barbara’s professional ballet company founded in 1994 by Artistic Director and former American Ballet Theatre dancer Rodney Gustafson. The company has toured throughout California and as far away as China and Taiwan.

The company’s touring productions include “Carmen,” “The Handkerchief,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella,” “The Nutcracker” and “Tango and Malambo.”

Don’t miss the State Street Ballet’s upcoming production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, contact the Lobero Theatre Box Office at 963-0761 or visit www.lobero.com.

Photos by Rochelle Rose

Caption: Event co-chairs Jill Dexter, left, and Gloria Montano worked Linda Hedgepath to make Dancing with the Stars such a success.