Sell out crowd at Bally's enjoys Tahoe Arts Project's Dancing With The Tahoe Stars

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tahoe Arts Project held another successful Dancing With The Tahoe Stars (DWTTS) on October 15 at Bally's Tahoe. Local celebrities were paired with professional dancers who vied for the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. Dancers from The Studio and South Tahoe High Dance Team also performed.

This year's performance has two Masters of Ceremonies - Bridey Heidel and Sebastiani Romagnolo. In true MC fashion, they went through several costume changes while entertaining the sold out crowd.

Fundraising team results:

1st Place - Sara Pierce and Erik Baker $22,835

2nd Place - Rachelle Pakes and Briann Baker $21,189

3rd Place - Jeff Bowman and Ashley Smith $11,226

"Even as a lover of words, it’s extremely hard for me to synthesize and capture all the emotions of participating in Dancing with the Tahoe Stars and raising money for Tahoe Arts Project this year," said Sara Pierce. "We have one incredible community. I am humbled by the 45+ separate individuals/businesses who donated to support me dancing for this amazing cause to the tune of almost $23,000. I’m just in awe."

Pierce and Baker also took first place in the dance portion and won the mirror ball trophy. They performed "Hank the Tank goes to Hollywood – A Trashy Affair."

The lineup of the local celebrity and their professional partner:

Jeff Bowman - Bartender at California Burger and Ashley Smith
Chris Campion, Retired FBI Agent and Chelsea Wightman
Kim George, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Captain and Spencer Spanton
Gantt Miller, Tahoe Dad and Angela Smith
Rachelle Pakes, Barton Nurse and Briann Baker
Sara Pierce, PhD, Lake Tahoe Community College teacher/department head and Erik Baker
Shane Sheets, Veterinarian and Heather Coleman
Leah Stockton, Magnet School Teacher and Pablo Valles
Belen Urrutia, from Coldwater Brewery and Sierra at Tahoe and Julz Lozovaia
Jack Valera, South Tahoe CrossFit and Izzy Preston

The three judges were Tom Callahan, Rhonda Keen and Angela Zajac, all who have been dancers in DWTTS in the past. Meg Peart was the director and producer of the show, with Tahoe Production House providing the filming and production.

This event is the major fundraiser for Tahoe Arts Project, the local nonprofit that brings in the arts to South Lake Tahoe and Zephyr Cove schools and the public. For more information, visit https://www.tahoeartsproject.org/.