Malverne's First Dancing with the Stars Earns High Marks [Video & Photos]

The All-Star season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars might have bigger ratings, but Malverne's version of the ballroom dancing competition received rave reviews from locals this month.

This was the first time the Malverne Historical Society hosted this type of fundraiser, but the Oct. 13 event attracted a full house at the Lynbrook Knights of Columbus. 

The five couples -- Kathi Monroe (Malverne Merchant) and Pat McCaul, Deborah and Brian Gordon, Richard Barbieri (Village Building Superintendent) and Carla Sheinkopf, Chris and Suzanne Parra (Malverne Civic President), and Gene Villani and Tina Tapinekis -- spent months training with Queens-based ballroom dance instructor Kyle Volkof.

The contestants kicked off the evening with a group dance and then each couple stepped into the spotlight to cha-cha, hustle, tango, samba and swing dance for scores from three judges, all Malverne celebs in their own right. 

The judges included Malverne real estate agent Patricia Murphy, of Peter Rapanaro, a multi-talented entertainer who performs regularly in Vegas, and Gerry Hughes, owner of Connolly Station.

The judges, along with hosts Ed Hassel and Venus Maley, kept the crowd laughing throughout the night. But with the scores tied, no mirror ball trophy was awarded this time. However, all the contestants received high praise from the judges and the audience, who later had a chance to show off their moves on the dance floor.

Click on the video above to see highlights from the first-ever Dancing with the Malverne Stars and browse our photo gallery.

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