“Dancing Stars” To Compete at Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Ball, Apr. 8

TIMONIUM, Md. – The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland Chapter will host the 11th annual Memory Ball, its signature fundraising gala, Saturday, Apr. 8, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel (700 Aliceanna St. 21202).

Over 700 guests are anticipated for this premier Baltimore event which features a gourmet dinner, cocktails and dancing to music performed by local band, Highway Star. The highlight is the “Dancing Stars” competition among the following individuals and couples chosen for their leadership in the Baltimore community – many of whom have personal connections to Alzheimer’s disease:

• Marie Hartman (executive vice president/co-founder, Hartman Executive Advisors)
• Omar Jimenez (news reporter, WBAL-TV)
• Kia Seals (account supervisor/employee engagement, Edelman)
• Dr. Lori Edwards (professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing)
• Elizabeth Allen (retired school administrator)
• Tonia Jones Powell & Albert Powell, Jr. (Tonia – staff counsel, Supreme Court; Albert – Realtor®, RE/MAX)
• Mimoza Cejku (agent, New York Life Insurance Co.)
• Maureen Gary, M.A.C., L.A.C (acupuncturist)
• Dr. Mary Teddy Wray (dentist, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry)

Prior to the gala, the Dancing Stars will receive lessons from Promenade Dance Studio, Lite on Your Feet Dance Studio, Dancing with Friends, Dean and Dawn Entertainment, SwingTime Ballroom, Studio DNA and Atlantic Ballroom.

At Memory Ball, they will show off their moves to iconic songs in film as part of the evening’s Salute to the Silver Screen. Guests can look forward to seeing the Rhumba, Hip-Hop, Quickstep, Argentine Tango, Viennese Waltz and other dances performed to such movie classics as Grease, Dirty Dancing, Rocky III, The Wizard of Oz and Ghostbusters.

The Dancing Stars will vie to win two awards. You’re Our Star goes to the dancer who raised the most money for the Alzheimer’s Association. Voting – $1/vote – takes place online at alz.org/maryland now through Apr. 8 and in person by the Memory Ball audience.

Judges’ Choice for best technical skill will be chosen by a panel that includes Deborah Weiner (anchor and reporter, WBAL-TV), Lynn Bui (anchor, WJZ-TV), J.R. Paterakis (owner, H&S Bakery, Inc.) and Renaye Briscoe (2016 Dancing Star, Judges’ Choice winner).

Denise Koch (anchor, WJZ-TV) will serve as emcee. Event co-chairs are Rachael Campbell (vice president of administrative services at Correct Rx Pharmacy Services) and Derek Valcourt (former WJZ-TV reporter and owner/CEO of Creative Spot Productions), who won Judges’ Choice honors at Memory Ball 2015.

Admission to Memory Ball is $350 person or $3,500 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, vote for the Dancing Stars or learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit alz.org/maryland or contact Berit Killingstad at bkillingstad@alz.org or 410.561.9099, ext. 230.

Over the past decade, Memory Ball has raised more than $5 million to support caring services of the Alzheimer’s Association and critical research for a world without Alzheimer’s disease. More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease, with 100,000 in Maryland alone. Alzheimer’s is currently the only cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer's®. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.