If you thought last year's sold-out inaugural "Dancing With the Stars at the Raven" was an amazing, outrageous community event that also raised a ton of money for the Raven Performing Arts Theater, hold onto your hats and lace up your dancing shoes.
This year, the contest has been expanded to two nights -- Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10 -- with a special star-studded reception on Saturday evening for dancers, their friends and guests at Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg.
Eight all-new local North Bay "stars" include a Healdsburg City Councilman, a popular Healdsburg pub owner and the reigning Miss Sonoma County. They and the five other "stars" are paired with some of the North Bay's finest professional dance teachers -- including five returnees from last year.
"I guarantee it's going to be a sellout -- all three events," said Vera Harvey, who is returning as co-producer with Joe Gellura. "I have no doubt in my mind."
Tickets go on sale in mid-September for either or both nights -- plus the Costeaux reception. Special packages are available for all three events.
"One thing that's different this year is that it will be all reserved seats," Harvey said. "That way, no one will have to scramble to get the best seats and people will be able to relax and know that their seat is waiting for them."
Ticket prices will be $35/night for preferred seating in the front rows, or $25/night for all other seats. A two-night package, with the Costeaux reception, will be $100 for preferred seats and $80 for all other seats.
"Every single one of these stars told me 'I'm going to win,'" Harvey said. "I know they're going to put on a fabulous show."
Online voting ($1 per vote) will also start in mid-September.
As with last year's show --only doubled --each couple will perform two choreographed dance routines before the audience and a panel of judges.
Winners will be determined by a combination of online voting, voting at each night's performance and judges' votes.
Without further ado, the 2012 dancing "stars" and their professional partners are:
--Healdsburg City Councilman Tom Chambers (Mayor in 2011), with pro partner Janelle Guido of Santa Rosa (returning from last year).
--Neil Cronin, proprietor of John & Zeke's pub in Healdsburg, with pro partner Lauralie Staley of Santa Rosa (returning from last year).
--Richard Fourzon, a Santa Rosa chiropractor, with pro partner Brina Cimino of Santa Rosa (returning from last year).
--Hallie Beacham, a retired physician and Healdsburg civic volunteer, with pro partner Jason Taylor of Rohnert Park (returning from last year).
--Jessica Greer of Sebastopol, the reigning Miss Sonoma County, with pro partner John Ross of Rohnert Park (returning from last year).
--Viveka Rydell, CEO of Windsor-based PDI Surgery Center, which helps low-income families with their children's dental needs, with pro partner Eddie Vedolla Jr. of Ukiah, son of veteran North Bay dance teacher Eddie Vedolla Sr.
--Bobbi Beehler, an executive with Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, with pro partner Tony Gutsch of Santa Rosa.
--Jennifer Leigh Gotti, a human resources manager for Brayton Purcell law firm in Novato, with pro partner Raymond Byun of Santa Rosa.
For a recap of last year, see the Raven website and highlights video.
Stay tuned to Patch for more details and ticket information.
"As I said last year, anyone who misses this will miss the social event of the season," Harvey said.