Oh those sexy, rhinestone-encrusted outfits, those slaying dance moves, the appreciative crowd, the appraising judges. The Crystal Ballroom of The Rice pulsated with dance fever Wednesday night when Linda Lorelle, who knows her way around a paso doble or two, launched her new television series Imagine Ballroom. Translate Dancing With the Stars into a locally-focused dance competition sans stars to be aired on Fox 26 and you've got it.

Ballroom dancers from across the city joined in the competition that was taped in two 30-minute shows to be seen late-night Fridays, Dec. 10 through Jan. 1. While the taping was a serious venture, co-prodced by Believe Ballroom Dance Studios and owner Catherine Wheeler, there was a playful segment with a dance-off between high-profile/national award-winning ballroom dancers Sue and Lester Smith and Lorelle and Joe Lozano, a six-time national champion and dance director of Believe Ballroom Dance Studios. The Smiths provided underwriting for the taping and danced in both shows.

Close to 100 guests paid $80 for dinner, valet parking and a front-row seat for taping of the pro exhibitions, an interview with the Smiths and amateur competitions. The bonus was group cha cha and salsa lessons conducted by Bruno Collins, a world dance champion that has coached a number of the pros on Dancing With the Stars.

The next taping is Nov. 30 and reservations are available here.

Star struck for Cinema Arts

Following the screening of John Turturro's Rehearsal for a Sicilian Tragedy at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Thursday night, the actor/director was whisked away to the home of Martha and Richard Finger for an intimate Italian dinner. He was accompanied by his friend and collaborator Roman Paska and by his mother-in-law Lori Borowitz. The trio are in town for the Cinema Arts Festival.

Also in the mix was Jared Crane, son of Jim Crane, who had escorted Turturro around town on Thursday. Top spot on the must-see list was The Menil Collection, where they had a private tour.

Painting the town

Well, it's just a canvas in the Neiman Marcus window in the Galleria, but it's a significant venue for popular artist John Ross Palmer, who for the third year will be featured in a holiday window display. Unlike previous years. Palmer will actually create the piece in three separate Saturday sessions, painting his canvas in the display window from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 26 and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. Underwriting the window project is the Tony Vallone family.

You'll remember that Palmer painted the mural in Vallone's Ciao Bello on San Felipe and did many of the paintings that hang in Café Bello in Montrose. Look for another Palmer to go up in the swank Tony's in the new year.

On completion, the Neiman's equestrian-themed work will be available for purchase for $14,500 through the John Palmer Gallery & Studio.

It's a Mini party!

AIDS Foundation Houston got the engines revved for the Dec. 1 World AIDS Day luncheon with a lively launch party Thursday night at Momentum Mini, where guests got a look-see at the fashionable auto that is centerpiece of the AFH raffle. The lucky winner of the drawing, to be held during the luncheon, receives a 24-month or 10,000 mile lease on a brand new red 2011 Mini.

Edward Sanchez and Carolyn Farb chair the luncheon at the Hilton Americas-Houston where the annual Shelby Hodge Vision Award will be presented. The luncheon and the award will spotlight Camp Hope, where children living with HIV/AIDS can enjoy a summer camp experience.

Art of Conversation

Absolutely no one was told to keep it down at the Junior League earlier this week, when a sellout crowd of more than 300 joined in the spirited chatter at the Art of Conversation luncheon benefiting City ArtWorks. Chairs Cindi Rose and Marcy de Luna encouraged lively conversation at tables hosted by such a diverse group as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Willard Holmes, plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose and community volunteer Mehrnaz Gill.

Notable table hosts included KTRK sports director Bob Allen, interior designer Bill Stubbs, public relations whiz Dancie Ware and Clean Energy Partners president Mike Skelly.

Gotta laugh

That would be Linda Gayle Thompson, who has found a way to move through personal tragedies with laughter and a positive outlook. She has chronicled her journey in a self-published family memoir, Hookers, Midgets and Fire Trucks, and she is celebrating release of the book with a signing party tonight (Nov. 12) at Caffe Bello. Everyone is invited.

The invitation reads, "Join the party and support this new local author and her wacky family's life story as they celebrate how laughter got them through the bad stuff, the really bad stuff." No pity party this. The family is planning a rollicking night.

Sight 'ems

Miya Shay with MSNBC anchor Richard Lui, Randall Davis, Sarah Bray, Mauney Mafrige, Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlanc all making the scene at the spanking new Hudson Lounge on Robinhood. The place has been rocking since its soft opening last week. Also in the mix, Mirror Mirror producer Sabrina Miskelly with a camera crew filming the new watering hole with owners Adam, Alexander and Andre Kliebert.