Posted by Bud on March 14, 2010 at 11:34:03:
I don't think I've ever seen anyone dance with a partner to Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman," but WGN Morning News' Valerie Warner did it during "Dancing with Chicago Celebrities" on Friday and walked away with the trophy.
Warner defeated five other local celebrities during the 5th Annual competition, including "Game Time Dine" host D.C. Crenshaw, who sported a hat and glove for his Michael Jackson dance, and radio host Mancow, who made his way to the dance floor in a wheelchair before breaking out into a swing dance.
"I loved it -- it was fun," Mancow told the crowd at the Hyatt Regency (151 E. Wacker Dr.) after his dance. "I dance like horses count."
Warner's dance had the audience clapping to the beat, which may have played a part in her unanimous victory.
"Valerie was a total crowd pleaser," said "Top Chef Masters" winner Rick Bayless, the 2006 "Dancing with Chicago Celebrities" champion.
Bayless was one of the judges for the event and also danced during the alums portion of the show, as did NBC 5 sports anchor Mike Adamle and WGN anchor and 2008 winner Dina Bair (the best celeb dancer of the night, in my opinion).
"This was the first time I wasn�t sweating bullets," Bayless said about his annual alum dance. "I felt really comfortable. When I finished the performance, I felt exhilarated."
During the live auction, a package including lunch with Bayless and a day in his Frontera Grill kitchen went for $8,000. Proceeds from the event will go toward the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Chicagoland Affiliate.