They might have come to see co-host Clinton Portis’ unique black tie “outfit.” They might have been intrigued by a rivalry between morning news anchors. They might have wanted to meet a Bachelorette contestant. Or they might have just been drawn in for the dancing!
Late last month, 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. 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 a variety of local charities — to include The Washington Humane Society, Girls Health Ed, T.A.P.S, Hope for Henry Foundation, The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Former Washington NFL teammates Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley reunited off the field to host the debut gala, which had a distinct Dancing with the Stars flair — maybe because DWTS dancer Jonathan Roberts was on hand, along with The Bachelorette’s Chris Bukowski and former Washington footballer Gary Clark, to judge the ballroom dance competition.
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 as well as the evening’s winners (a tie!) NBA Wife Charrisse Jackson-Jorden and PBS’ Rina Shah.
Prizes were also awarded by former NFL player and ESPN contributor Rich ‘Doc’ Walker and Brian Carpenter, also serving as the evening’s auctioneers, to Cindy Hardeman (for receiving the most votes for her dance performance at the event) and Emily Lozano (for raising over $10,000).
*All photos credit Joy Asico
