Ballroom and Latin-style fans get ready. The Alzheimer’s Association will hold its “Dancing Stars”themed Memory Ball 2011 gala, Saturday, Apr. 16, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel (700 Aliceanna St.).
Co-chaired by Joyce A. Kuhns, Esq. (Saul Ewing LLP partner) and Jane Sewell (The Calvert School physical education instructor), the black-tie gala will feature a cocktail reception, full-course dinner, live music by Highway Star and a showcase of local ballroom talent.
With ABC2 News Anchor Jamie Costello and radio/TV personality “Downtown Diane” as emcees, the evening will feature a dance competition among the following individuals and couples chosen for their leadership in the community and their support of the Alzheimer’s Association – many of whom have personal connections to Alzheimer’s disease:
Roger Clark (Novartis Pharmaceuticals) and ReginaClark (consultant pharmacist, Omnicare, Inc.) Heidi Slacum (owner, FRESH! Boutique) and John Dawson (professional dancer, owner DNA Studio)Beth Kaplan (president and chief merchandising/marketing officer, GNC-General Nutrition Center, Inc.) and Genya Bartashevich (professional dancer)Frank Poppen (stylist, About Faces) and Teresa Martin (professional dancer)Jon Adler Kaplan (executive director, BMoreFit) and Yana Mazhnikova (professional dancer) Deb Donofrio (yoga instructor and Alzheimer’s Association volunteer whose husband has young-onset Alzheimer’s disease) and Stephen Nadeau(professional dancer)Lisa Hawkins (CEO, Rainbow Medical Adult Day Health Care) and Sean Climer (professional dancer)Dr. Chiadi Onyike (director, Johns Hopkins Frontotemporal Dementia and Young-Onset Dementias Clinic) and Elaine M. Baruwa-Onyike Bonnie Stein (executive vice president and managing director, PNC Wealth Management) and John Cogar (wealth planner, PNC Wealth Management)
Towson Dance Studio will give the dancers complimentary lessons prior to the gala. At Memory Ball 2011, the dancers will perform a Latin or ballroom number of their choice before a panel of judges that includes Olympic Ice Skating Gold Medalist Dorothy Hamill, a past Memory Ball dance competitor and honoree; Jacqueline Marhefka, a Towson University Dance instructor, and Molly Shattuck, a past Memory Ball champion.
The dancers will vie to win The Judge’s Choice Trophy presented to the dancer with the best technical skill and the You’re Our Star Trophy for the dancer who raised the most money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Dancers can earn votes online at www.alz.org/maryland before the event and by the audience at the Ball: $1/vote.
An additional highlight will be the presentation of the Helen S. Schulze Award to Steve and Marilyn Blum in recognition of their efforts to provide a voice for those with young onset Alzheimer’s, including testifying in Annapolis, forming support groups and being the “new face” of Alzheimer’s. Corporate sponsor, Pizza Hut of Maryland, Inc., will present a $5,000 gift in their names to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research efforts.
Event proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association’s many programs and services, as well as raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, which now affect more than 86,000 Marylanders. Tickets are $300/person. Corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For tickets, sponsorships or more information, call 410-561-9099 or visit www.alz.org/maryland.
The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated Alzheimers research, care and support. For more than 25 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit organization has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research, and influenced public policy changes.
