Mayor-President Kip Holden did more than dance around the issues, host Leo Honeycutt joked Saturday evening at the Big Buddy Dancing with the Stars program in the PMAC. Holden and 16 other Baton Rouge area celebrities put on their dancing shoes to benefit the local charity dedicated to Baton Rouge youth programs and mentoring. More than 1,550 fans showed their support for the local stars in a competition modeled after ABC’s hit program “Dancing with the Stars.” Approximately 550 of those fans purchased floor-level $200 tickets, while the remaining 1,000 sat in the upper level $15 seats. “I’m real invigorated,” Holden said after dancing with his partner Lane Barry of Bill Anderson Dance School. “This was intense pressure, but it’s for a great cause.” Holden’s wife Lois Holden said she has seen her husband practicing the steps in his routine constantly during the past month. “I was very pleased with his performance,” she said. “I always knew [Kip Holden] was a great dancer. He can probably teach me better now.” Holden was the first star to dance, but WBRZ anchor Whitney Vann wowed the crowd before the intermission and later took the Dancing with the Stars championship trophy. Four judges – including Miss Louisiana USA Elizabeth McNulty and LSU Associate Director of Bands Linda Moorhouse – gave their comments after each performance, but crowd applause ultimately determined the winners. Vann performed a gasp-inducing routine of flips, twists and lifts with her partner Leonard Augustus of Mid City Dance Project. Vann’s routine also included a near-wardrobe malfunction as her dress caught over her head for several seconds, causing a judge to joke it was fortunate Vann wore matching undergarments. “It was crazy,” Vann said of her performance. “I was about as nervous as I’ve been, ever.” Vann said she and Augustus revised their routine to build on her experience as a former high school cheerleader. “[Augustus and I] kept adding more tricks in our routine,” she said. “We changed it about 10 times.” Augustus said Vann was “intensely competitive” and always willing to try new elements in practice. “She’s a perfectionist,” Augustus said. “Her energy is infectious. We were really well-matched as partners.” Although Vann took the top prize, former LSU men’s basketball player Glen Davis elicited cheers and laughter from the crowd during his swing dancing routine. Davis said he felt more nervous than he has ever experienced before a basketball game. “It’s just a different element,” Davis said. Davis’ appearance was his last in the PMAC, as the junior forward announced in March he would forgo his senior season to enter the NBA draft. “It feels good to go out with a bang,” he said. Davis’ partner, Christine Negulescu of Mid City Dance Project, said she has taught dance for more than 10 years but never danced with someone Davis’ size. “My first thought was – I better order some very high heels,” Negulescu said of her 5-foot-4-inch stature. One of the judges joked Negulescu was “like a little basketball” in Davis’ hands. Big Buddy Executive Director Gaylynne Mack said the program exceeded her expectations. “This is the first time we’ve done this, but it won’t be the last,” Mack said. “It was phenomenal.” Judges gave all participants awards celebrating their accomplishments. Holden won “Best Showmanship” while Davis took home the “Best Lift” award. Vann told the crowd she intends to “defend the title” next year. At the event’s conclusion, Big Buddy representatives encouraged the audience to stay and dance to the music.
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