OK, this has absolutely nothing to do with city government. It's about supporting the Saratoga Springs History Museum.

The venerable museum, located in the Canfield Casino, will hold its annual holiday gala on Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m., at -- where else? -- the casino.

The theme for this year's event is "Dancing with the Capital Region Stars," drawing on the popular show on ABC. For stars, the museum tapped several local media personalities, including... yours truly.

Here's the color rising... as in, my cheeks are burning. Somehow, in the next 10 days, I'm going to have to learn to dance, in anticipation of competing against the likes of FOX 23's Jeff Sapperstone, WMHT's Susan Arbetter, and the Time's Union's Kristi Gustafson and Irene Liu. At least I can be confident I look better in a suit than Arbetter, Gustafson or Liu. But that Sapperstone... he's quite dapper.

The five "stars," will be judged, at the party's mid point on a prepared dance peice (performed with a partner, who, at least in my case, will be doing the bulk of the work...) by Michele Riggi, Michael Korb and Saratoga Savoy's Dave Wolf. So that should be fun. Or funny or something.

Tickets are limited, but still available. Anyone interested in getting out the optional black tie, enjoying a buffet by The Lily and the Rose, and watching this reporter cutting a rug, call the museum at 584-6920. Tickets cost $65, or $55 for those under 35.

In the mean time, feel free to ask how my pirouette is coming along if you see me around town...

If you're wondering how I got roped into this event, the answer is thus: a combination of an ego-stroking E-mail from History Museum board member Matthew Veitch and a desire on my part to get in touch with my inner-performer are to blame. I'll see you on the 12th...