DC’s Dancing Stars Gala officially launched its ninth season with a Launch
Party held Thursday, September 10, at the Tower Club in Vienna. The evening
brought together competitors, professional dancers, beneficiaries, supporters
and guests as fundraising builds toward the main Gala on Saturday, October 24,
at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City.
The evening introduced the 2026 competitors and highlighted the charitable
organizations they will represent.
Celebrity competitors in attendance included Rachelle Barimany Dove, CFO
and co-owner of Dominion Jewelers, raising funds for the National Fabry
Disease Foundation; Lizeth Alvarado, founder of Epic Beauty Rx and Greater
Washington Academy of Permanent Makeup, raising funds for Make-A-Wish
Mid-Atlantic; Carmen Felder, television personality, philanthropist,
entrepreneur and U.S. Air Force veteran, raising funds for 89 Ways to Give
Foundation; and Jeff Virchow, performing arts professional, director and arts
educator, raising funds for Operation Renewed Hope Foundation.
Also competing in the Celebrity category this year but not present is Bob Gray,
retired Arlington County Fire Department Battalion Chief and 9/11 Pentagon
responder, who is raising funds for the Raymond A. Wood Foundation.
All four Corporate competitors joined the celebration: Colleen Borelli, board-
certified OB/GYN and board member of the Jennifer Bush-Lawson
Foundation, for which she is also fundraising; Jessica Kreiser, residential
Realtor and Residential Real Estate Divorce Specialist, raising funds for the
Raymond A. Wood Foundation; Kathy Phuong Luu, entrepreneur and founder
of Spa Logic DC MedSpa & Wellness, raising funds for Make-A-Wish Mid-
Atlantic; and Emily Giovinazzo, beauty expert, entrepreneur and founder of
Bella Li Studio, raising funds for Next ChaptHER.
The evening also recognized two alumni dancers, Barbara Hamilton and
Janaki Kates.
The celebration highlighted the Gala’s four designated 2026 beneficiary
organizations: Raymond A. Wood Foundation, Jennifer Bush-Lawson
Foundation, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic and Operation Renewed Hope
Foundation.
“I’d like to take a moment to recognize the heart of the event, our
beneficiaries,” said Maria Coakley David, co-founder and co-chair of DC’s
Dancing Stars Gala. “Throughout our eight seasons, we have donated
$2,553,800 to charitable organizations making a meaningful impact
throughout the region and have created a community of people who have a
passion for both movement and mission through dance.”
Guests enjoyed cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and a dessert bar before
taking to the dance floor themselves. Dancers and guests also enjoyed a
group dance lesson and a lively DJ.
Next Up: 2026 Preview Party
The road to the Gala continues Friday, October 16, with the DC’s Dancing
Stars Gala Preview Party at DC DanceSport Academy in Fairfax. The evening
offers guests an early look at the competitors and their routines just eight
days before they take the floor for the official competition. The Preview Party
will also feature hors d’oeuvres, champagne and dancing. Tickets are
available now at DCsDancingStarsGala.com.
The 9th Annual DC’s Dancing Stars Gala — October 24
The 2026 season culminates Saturday, October 24, at The Ritz-Carlton,
Pentagon City, where local celebrities and corporate leaders will perform
choreographed routines with professional dance partners, competing for top
prize money for their charities and the Gala’s signature Mirror Ball Trophies.
The black-tie evening begins with a cocktail reception, where guests can
mingle and bid on silent auction items before the ballroom doors open for an
elegant, three-course seated dinner. The dance competition follows, with a
panel of celebrity judges and fundraising results determining the top finishers
in the Celebrity and Corporate categories. A total of $60,000 in prize money
will be awarded. Each first-place competitor receives the opportunity to direct
a $15,000 donation to the 501(c)(3) charity of their choice. Following the
awards presentation, competitors and guests will dance the night away in
celebration.
Supporters can follow the 2026 season, purchase Preview Party and Gala
tickets, learn more about the competitors and beneficiaries, and contribute at
#DCsDancingStarsGala #DancingStars #DonateToVote
About DC’s Dancing Stars Gala
DC’s Dancing Stars Gala brings together local celebrities and corporate
leaders who partner with professional dancers to compete on behalf of
charitable organizations. Inspired by the television show Dancing with the
Stars, participants perform choreographed routines before a panel of celebrity
judges and a live audience while raising funds for the causes they represent.
Media Contact:
Deanna Hawk
Corporate Events Manager
C. J. Coakley Co., Inc.
Phone: (703) 641-7653
Email: dhawk@cjcoakley.com
Website: DC’s Dancing Stars Gala