Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, Chris Bukowski & More Turned Out to Support First Annual Black-Tie Dancing Challenge
Over 400 dance enthusiasts and philanthropists turned out to support the first-ever DC’s Dancing Stars Gala at the Ritz Carlton in Tyson’s Corner last October. Event co-chairs and Fred Astaire Studio of Fairfax owners Maria Coakley David & Jim David and Executive Director Susannah Moss brought together notable Washingtonians to help raise over $150,000 in support of local charities.
Former Washington Redskins players and teammates Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley reunited off the field to host the debut gala. Dancing with the Stars dancer Jonathan Roberts, The Bachelorette’s Chris Bukowski and former Washington Redskin Gary Clark teamed up to judge the dance competition and crowned NBA wife Charrisse Jackson-Jorden and PBS’ Rina Shah the DC’s Dancing Star Champions. Both took home the coveted DC’s Dancing Stars trophies.
Other celebrity dancers included: House of Cards actor Lamont Easter, former NFL player John Booty, WUSA9’s Mike Hydeck and Andrea Roane, America’s Miss DC 2012 Sarah Hillware, America’s Miss DC 2013 Antoinette Cordova, VP of DARCARS Automotive Group Tammy Darvish and Ted Britt Automotive Group General Manager Evelyn Smallwood. Guests also enjoyed performances by the Fred Astaire Studio of Fairfax professionals, the event’s presenting sponsor.
Former NFL player and ESPN contributor Rich ‘Doc’ Walker and Brian Carpenter were on-hand to lead the live auction. The two also awarded Cindy Hardeman the winner of the Redskins Challenge for receiving the most votes for her dance performance at the event. Emily Lozano was recognized as the fundraising challenge winner for raising over $10,000 in honor of the DC’s Dancing Stars Gala.
Charitable institutions who benefitted from the night’s entertainment include: The Washington Humane Society, Girls Health Ed, T.A.P.S, Hope for Henry Foundation, The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Washington Redskins Alumni.
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- Former NFL player John Booty and Missy Nilson.
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- Former Washington Redskin Gary Clark, The Bachelorette’s Chris Bukowski and Dancing With The Stars’ Jonathan Roberts judge.
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- Charrisse Jackson-Jorden and Rina Shah took home the coveted DC’s Dancing Stars Trophy.
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- Former Washington Redskins Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley.
