THE CROWD:

This week the Los Angeles Times reported that Southern California philanthropist Gloria KaufmanGloria Kaufman, widow of the late mega homebuilder Donald Kaufman, who founded what is now called KB Home with Eli Broad, donated $20 million to the Los Angeles Music Center in order to create an endowment in support of dance programming at the music center.

When asked why she chose to create such a generous fund in support of dance she simply replied, “Dancing makes everybody happy.”

In Orange County last week a charitable group known as the Sophisticates supporting the Assessment Treatment Services Center also endeavored to make everybody happy and raise some needed funds through an evening replicating the popular television show “Dancing with the Stars.”

Appropriately, the gala was billed as “A Sophisticated Evening,” and was at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa, Huntington Beach. Local “star dancers” included Bette Aitken, Julia Johnson, Hans Keirstead, Denice Mock, Julie Ann Ulcickas and John Heydt.

The six local community celebrities paired up with professional studio dance partners showing off before an audience of more than 300 black-tie clad guests.

The “stars” performed to the music of a local dance band known as “Rembrandt.”

The major event was chaired by Shana Smith with Julia Johnson, one of the star dancers, serving as honorary event chairwoman.

Major financial underwriting support came from the John Jory Corp., named as platinum sponsor of the gala.

Also acknowledged for their generosity, the Crean Foundation, longtime advocates of ATSC and the work that they do with children at risk and their families, were honored as the evening’s “Caring Heart” awardees.

The party began at sunset with a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception and a silent auction.

Guests sampled seared ahi on cucumber with wasabi cream and Tobiko caviar.

A dinner of filet mignon and crab cakes was served at 7:30 p.m. followed by a live auction conducted by Bill Phelps.

Then it was time for dancing with the stars.

Spotted in the crowd supporting ATSC was Debbie Schweickert, president of the Sophisticates, Marsha Willis, Susan Pickle, Nancy Lynn Olson, Cameron Heinemeyer, Melissa Theriot and Ellen Walker.

Also supporting the Sophisticates evening were Chelsea Huycke, Manna Bath, Susan Becker, Cynthia Venegas, Cindy Jones, Penny Fox, Debbie Newmeyer and Lisa Hallaian.

By the end of the evening more than $125,000 was raised for both ATSC and its partner organization Community Service Programs known as CSP.

The 2009 champion star dancer raising the most money and pledges from the crowd was none other than Johnson and her professional dance partner Alberto Carlos of Dance Asylum.

The first runner up taking home the ATSC Showstopper Award for the most number of votes from the crowd was Julia Ann Ulcickas and her partner Leo X of BallroomIsBack.com.

In addition the voting raised another $22,215 from the 300 gala guests voting for their favorite dance couples.

By the end of the evening the real winners of the dance party were the children and their families who receive guidance and support from the many community outreach programs offered by ATSC and CSP.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.