The unusually cold temperatures didn't stop arts supporters from "Steppin' Out" Sunday evening for the Montgomery County Executive's Ball for the Arts & Humanities.  More than 700 guests dressed in "creative" black tie poured into the Rockville Hilton atrium to dine, dance, and bid on silent auction items while raising funds for county arts.

"Steppin' Out," this year's theme celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of the annual fundraising gala, which aids county non-profit arts and humanities organizations. Net proceeds from the ball provide grants for theater, music, dance, art, arts education and humanities program to outlets all around the county.

County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett and ball Co-Chair First Lady Catherine Leggett kicked off the evening's festivities by greeting hundreds of guest in a receiving line. They were joined by local and state leaders including County Council members, Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown (D) and Congressional Representative Donna Edwards (D-District 4). County business and arts leaders were also amongst the crowd.

 "We have a tremendous opportunity here to support the many fantastic arts and arts programs that the county provides," said Executive Leggett.  

The ball is funded through corporate and private donations and administered by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County. With county money woes and cuts underway, the event has no impact on the budget, Leggett said. "It's all private funds. No public funds go into the event," he added. 

Among the major corporate supporters were Comcast, Discovery Communications and long-time supporter Mayorga Coffee.

Guests were treated to a hearty food buffet, live music and dancing, with dance demonstrations including the Tango. A silent auction featured donated items ranging from handmade jewelry and art; movie and theatre tickets; to discounted vacation getaways and even facials. In keeping with the "Steppin' Out" theme, table centerpieces of artistically decorated shoes mounted on glass blocks were also for sale.

Event supporters were all smiles. David Sharp, an attendee at the event said it was his second year of attending, and he plans to come back next year."It's very well done, and a good cause. Very nice event."  Sandra Penn and her daughter Taylor drove down from Columbia, Maryland to serve as volunteers.  They too said they plan to return next year.

Arts & Humanities Council CEO Suzan Jenkins said although total amount raised at this year's event is still being tallied, last year's event netted $30,000-$40,000. Director of Grants Michelle Grove added that cost-cutting measures, including moving the event last year to its locale at the Hilton, have helped to keep the event in the black despite the down economy.

"We took a hard look last year at the budget, what we needed to keep it profitable," Grove said.

This event took an entire year to plan for and the planning for next year's event will start later this month.

The ball was founded in 1985 by the late Betty Mae Kramer, wife of former County Executive Sidney Kramer. Mrs. Kramer passed away in March of this year. Since its beginnings it raised more than $1 million over the years to support Montgomery nonprofit arts and humanities organizations. "We are in debt to Betty and Sid Kramer, who started all this," said Executive Leggett

Mrs. Kramer was honored by the county with a special lifetime achievement award in 2007 for her work on the ball.  Last month, the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery and Music Room was opened inside the new Silver Spring Civic Center, named in her honor.  The room will be officially dedicated later this month.

For more info on the ball, and Montgomery County Arts, visit www.creativemoco.com.