Dancing with Twin Cities Celebrities

The glitzy costumes, the wood floor, the drama and the jazz hands were all part of Dancing With Twin Cities Celebrities on March 13.

The event, held at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton, was created by Arthur Murray's Minneapolis and St. Paul studios to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The celebrities -- including Minnesota Orchestra conductor Sarah Hicks (cha-cha), restaurateur Thom Pham (waltz), Miss Minnesota Brooke Kilgarriff (fox trot), boxer Caleb Truax (swing) and "Twin Cities Live" host John Hanson (hip-hop) -- prepared for about six weeks, with things really heating up in the final days before the competition.

"These people stepped it up when a trophy, fame and notoriety were at stake," said Lynda Smith, director of Arthur Murray Minneapolis.

In the end, Julia Cobbs of MyTalk (107.1 FM) performed a fiery, gravity-defying salsa that gave her the win. "Julia was red hot," said Jason DeRusha of WCCO, one of the judges. "Not only from a technical standpoint -- and I say this because I'm a true ballroom dancing genius -- but her salsa exuded sensuality. You could tell she knew the steps, but she really sold the dance."

Indeed. The event may have inspired DeRusha to return next year -- as a competitor. "Jason Matheson and I are talking about teaming up for a tango next year, so stay tuned for that," he said.

Sounds like a must-see.

Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177