After its rousing success in 2024, The Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center’s (ChesMRC) Bailando con las Estrellas (Dancing with the Stars) event will return to the stage on Saturday, September 27th at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. This fabulous fundraiser is presented by Rise Up Coffee, Rude Burger, Rude BBQ, and La Bodega.
ChesMRC has recruited a whole new crop of local celebrities for this year’s competition. Seven teams will put on their dancing shoes and show off some fancy footwork to raise money in support of the organization’s mission to empower people from different cultures to become successful and engaged members of our community.
The 2025 Bailando Stars hail from across the Mid-Shore:
· Brenda Fike of Bay Imprint, accompanied by Samantha Martinez (Sponsored by Bay Imprint)
· ChesMRC’s own Deputy Director, Victoria Gomez Lozano (Sponsored by Out of the Fire)
· John Marrah and Rebecca Wales from Marasun Roofing (Sponsored by Marasun Roofing)
· Lt. Milton Orellana from the Easton Police Department, accompanied by his wife Berenice (Sponsored by Zebra Gallery)
· Angel Perez from Caroline Pride and the Chesapeake Culinary Center (Sponsorship opportunity available)
· Joe Petro from Hair O’ The Dog Wine & Spirits (Sponsorship opportunity available)
· James Redman, Head of Polaris Village Academy, accompanied by his wife, Christine (Sponsorship opportunity available)
Three awards are up for grabs in this exciting competition. The team who raises the most money will win the Make It Rain (Lluvia De Dinero) Award. These winners are determined by tallying the donations, ticket sales, and sponsorships credited to each participating team. After watching the live performances at the Avalon on September 27th, a panel of judges will choose the winners of the Dancing Stars (Estrellas Del Baile) Award and the Heart (Corazon) Award.
This year’s judges are local celebrities in their own right. Liza Ledford is the Executive Director of the Oxford Community Center, where Bailando was hosted last year. Dr. Sharon Pepukayi is the Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, and the winner of last year’s Dancing Stars Award. Jeremy Hillard is the 2024-2025 TCPS Teacher of the Year, and is also a former Bailando Star.
“We are very excited to bring this fun event back,” says ChesMRC Executive Director Matthew Peters. “Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, but also a wonderful way for our community to support people joining us from around the world. The money raised by our Stars helps provide a range of resources that help our new neighbors get settled and make them feel welcome!”
Visit chesmrc.org/bailando to meet the teams, and donate, purchase tickets to the live show on September 27th, and sign up for advertising opportunities as an event sponsor. For more information about the event or available sponsorship opportunities, contact Victoria Gomez Lozano at victoria@chesmrc.org.
