For the first time ever, the Barrington Area Council on Aging (Bacoa) has invited five local real-life couples to compete in their 4th annual Dancing with the Barrington Stars 2021 fundraiser coming up at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 6th 2021. In past years, individual contestants are paired with professional dance instructors. This year’s event will also be virtual and tickets are on sale now! CLICK HERE to go straight to the event registration page.
To watch the show and join the fun on February 6, CLICK HERE to register for access to your virtual ticket today.
Bacoa hopes to raise $200,000 during this year’s event for programs and services that support seniors and caregivers in the Barrington area. They’re already over 30% of the way there, but they need our help to reach their goal. That’s why five Barrington “star” couples have signed up to dance and entertain us all on behalf of Barrington seniors.
Want to watch with people in your bubble? There are viewing packages available which include a $750 Watch Party for 10 or a $450 Watch Party for 6 that include Dancer Swag plus fabulous Snack Boards from Sage & Jam Grazing. Single tickets are priced at $100 and give you access to the best show in town.
You have the option to support your favorite dancers when you sign up! Funds pledged before and during the event will determine the winners. It may be obvious who the best dancer is, but whoever raises the most money for Bacoa will be the Champion!
Without further adieu, here are this year’s dancers:
* Images by Cristyn Cara Photography
Pooja & Dr. Raja Chatterhi
Pooja is an active member of the Biltmore Country Club and a devoted supporter of charities including the Kindness Project for frontline workers and the Scleroderma Research Foundation. When not busy with her family, she loves to paint. Pooja will be joined by her husband Raja, an Uro/Gyn surgeon and President of the medical staff at Advocate Sherman Hospital. He is devoted to his wife, family and his car collection. Pooja and Raja are the proud parents of two grown sons. One is an orthopedic resident and the other is working from home this year.
Click here to register or contribute for team Pooja & Dr. Raja.
Kate & Lee Duncan
Kate identifies as a CrossFit enthusiast and mother of two, but is also a lawyer for Akerman LLP and Village of Barrington Trustee. She will share the floor with her husband Lee, an underwriter at MetLife and Board member of the Atonement Lutheran Church in Barrington. The dancing duo are both graduates of Butler University and, when not playing with their kids, they admit following Big East Basketball is their next passion.
Click here to register or contribute for team Kate & Lee.
Judy and Peter Gibbons
Judy, also known as Girl Boss, Momma and Gigi, is a long-time Barrington resident and graduate of Barrington High School. She and her husband Peter have raised their combined five children in Barrington, all of whom are also BHS grads. Judy is an award wining Realtor with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty and feels lucky to be able to help so many folks find their dream homes in the area. She will dance with her husband Peter who describes himself as a Scottish chieftain and Papa. Peter can be found on the golf course most days, unless he is jetting off to a refinery in Thailand. Judy & Peter are active participants in the community through their dedicated support of many charities. Two of their favorites are the Service Club of Chicago and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust.
Click here to register or contribute for team Judy & Peter.
Amy & Dr. James Kane
Amy is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Saint Anne Catholic Community here in Barrington. When not on the tennis or paddle court, her biggest joy is mothering her blended family of seven children with her husband and now DWTBS partner, Jim. Jim followed in his father’s footsteps to become a General Surgeon and founded Suburban Surgical Care Specialists, located in Hoffman Estates. Although far more comfortable on the golf course than the dance floor, Jim and Amy are excited to bring their athleticism and good sportsmanship to the ballroom.
Click here to register or contribute for team Amy & Dr. James.
Angela & Dr. Reinhold Llerena
Angela is a mother of three and active in PTO to support school improvements. She is a devoted monarch butterfly watcher, gardener, organized the Nature Lady program for District 220 and works in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Resurrection Medical Center. She will be dancing with her husband, Reinhold “Reiny”, who is a family physician in Barrington with AMITA Health and is the President/Chief Medical Officer of AMITA Health Medical Group and AMITA’s Chief Population Health Officer. While hobbies include other arts like cartooning, playing piano and Barrington Play Reading Group (with Angela), dance is new to Reinhold. He hopes to incorporate some natural Latina hip moves if he can find them.
Click here to register or contribute for team Angela & Reinhold.
No matter which couple you pledge, the real winners of Dancing with the Barrington Stars 2021 are local seniors, their families and caregivers who receive tireless support from the Barrington Area Council on Aging. Established in 1984, Bacoa’s support groups, social services, classes, activities and resources help both older adults and caregivers navigate the dynamics associated with aging.
That includes groups for Alzheimer’s Support, Family Caregivers Support and a group for Seniors with low vision. Bacoa’s social services include “A Day Out” Adult Day Program, Memory Cafe, Meals with Wheels, Transportation, Health Insurance & Benefits and Elder Care & Concerns.
Learn more at Bacoa.org.
In the meantime, here’s a look at the “real winners” of Dancing with the Barrington Stars, thanks to these photos of seniors who are part of the Bacoa community here in Barrington.
About the Barrington Area Council on Aging
Located at 6000 Garlands Lane in Barrington, The Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA) is the primary organization in the Barrington area serving seniors and caregivers, including family and friends, since 1984. BACOA offers programs, services and activities to help older adults remain vital, contributing members of the community. To learn more about BACOA, call 847-381-5030, email tchanner@bacoa.org or visit BACOA.org.