Mario Lopez to headline ‘Dancing with the Stars of the South’

Great New Orleans area dancers will vie for top honors at “Dancing with the Stars of the South” Oct. 29, while helping further the Louisiana Center for Women and Government.

“Dancing with the Stars” finalist and host of “America’s Best Dance Crew,” Mario Lopez is headlining the celebrity guest list at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans.

The event begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction. Dinner, a live auction and performances begin at 8 p.m. WWL-TV “Eyewitness Morning News” anchor Eric Paulsen will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Dancers include Margarita Bergen, host of New Orleans Roundtable Luncheon; Rufino Saavedra, owner of Rufino’s Painting & Construction Inc.; Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc.; Charles Kunz, former Broadway dancer; Teresa Guzzetta, community volunteer activist; Elton Lagasse, Jefferson Parish Councilman; Patty Booth-Julius, lead singer for Dean Martin’s “Golddiggers”; Suzaune Yee McKamey, singer and entertainer with Suzaune & Company; Michael Maenza, owner of Mr. Mudbug and MMI Culinary Services Inc.; Lori Ramsey, owner of Ramsey Jewelers; and, winner of the 2010 “Dancing with the Stars of the South,” Nell Nolan, society editor of The Times Picayune.

Judges include Lopez; Nancy Parker, anchor of Fox 8 Live; Greg Reggio, chef and owner of Zea; John Young, president of Jefferson Parish; and Angela Hill, anchor of WWL-TV Eyewitness News.

Serving as auctioneers will be Lopez; Martin Folse, owner and CEO of HTV-10; state Sen. Danny Martiny, from District 10; Diane Hollis, former Jefferson Parish councilwoman; and Eric Skrmetta, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner.

Tickets are $75 per person and include complimentary wine service with dinner. Cocktail attire is required.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisiana Center for Women and Government, headquartered at Nicholls State University. The center offers an array of programs, including the student internship program; Louisiana Girls’ Leadership Academy; National Women’s Leadership Summit on Energy and the Environment; Women’s Leadership Institute; Congress to Campus; Hall of Fame awards ceremony; legislative women’s luncheon; regional leadership councils; statewide Leadership Institute; and “A Woman’s Perspective” segment on HTV-10’s “Bayou Time.”

For additional information, call 985-448-4770 or go to dancingwiththestarsofthesouth.webs.com/.