What a great night it was at the Cascade Theatre in downtown Redding when literally all of the “stars” came out for the 2nd Annual Dancing with the Stars-Shasta County Style. 

This evening of sheer pleasure benefiting both the YMCA and the Shasta Women’s Refuge got the full-house crowd into the night from the very beginning. Last year’s winners, the unbelievable Kathy Babcock and star DJ Patrick John, danced an energy-filled swing that thrilled all, and this was just the beginning.

With emcees Christy Largent and John Truitt bringing a high level of enthusiasm to usually mundane introductions, we met the dancers: stars Chita Johnson, KRCR-TV weather reporter; Don Burton of Redding Radio; Tracy Edwards, Redding Rancheria CEO; Kurt Starman, Redding city manager; Les Baugh, Shasta County Supervisor; and our own newspaper-woman turned Web-page dynamo, Doni Greenberg. An exciting and beautiful beginning to a night to remember.

The waltz competition showed creativity and originality by all of the couples, and after a short video on what each dance team did in their preparation rehearsals, we got to see the real thing, and were they ever good.

The judges — radio personality Linda Regan, public radio host Valerie Ing-Miller, and popular DJ Patrick John — found that each couple had their very distinct style and personality, and the voting was very close for each couple.

The audience was taken in by the twirls and the twists, and of course the gorgeous gowns and tuxedos made this competition one of beauty and class. Final waltz dance partners Don Burton and Julie Correia brought the first half to a close with their very impressive individually choreographed ballroom dance-style waltz, and the large and energetic crowd went wild. What a night!

Act II started off with a very well-performed ballroom dance exhibition, danced and choreographed by area couples who could be considered professional dancers. They were perfect in their movements, timing, and style as they danced a variety of dances including the tango, bolero, cha-cha, fox trot and swing.

This was a foretaste of more excitement to come as the evening turned to disco dancing. Chita Johnson, looking considerably different than when she is giving us weather reports on Channel 7, got this segment off to a huge roar, which is just what she got with her fast and furious disco routine. With her long blond hair, her bright-colored outfit, and her sheer energy and excitement, all that could be said at the conclusion of her dance was, “Wow, what a dance!”

As with the national Dancing with the Stars TV show, the audience picks the winners, and Shasta Style was no different. The competition was very close and Tracy Edwards and Matt Armstrong took home the first-place honors. Tracy’s stunning outfit, along with her obvious hard work paid off for her in the disco competition and their victory was well-deserved. 

“Only in Redding” was a comment I heard as we exited, and yes, that is so true.

Only in Redding could we have such a great show with all-local talent.

Only in Redding, where most in the audience knew a number of the dancers, so it became a big “family night” of fun and excitement.

Only in Redding where we fill the Cascade to cheer on our own “stars” to benefit the needy, along with the youth in our community.

Only in Redding where the “stars” are really the folks we see, work with, and socialize with on a daily basis.

Only in Redding do we have Dancing with the Stars-Shasta County Style.

I am making my reservation for next year now.

No way will I miss this great entertainment event.  

Ron Largent is a Realtor, business owner and longtime Redding resident. He can be reached at ronlargent@yahoo.com or ronlargent.yourkwagent.com.

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