Pedro Chavez of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Ventura County, Yvonne Gutierrez of El Concilio Family Services in Oxnard and Martin Hernandez of Interface Children & Family Services are among of group of community members who will be participating in the Oxnard Salsa Festival’s “Dancing with Our Community Stars Dance Contest & Charity Fundraiser” on July 28 and 29 in downtown Oxnard.
The salsa-twist contest is patterned after ABC’s hit TV show, ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The contest will feature three men and five women who will be paired with some of the region’s best dance instructors to learn salsa routines that they will perform in front of the crowd at the festival, festival organizers reported this week in a media release.
The 2012 contest sponsors are First California Bank, Republic Services, Sugar Beets Restaurant & Bar, Farm Share, and Food Share.
The dancers and their dance instructors include:
Chavez, dancing for Big Brothers, Big Sisters Ventura County, with instructor Diane Tere
Gutierrez, dancing for El Concilio Family Services, with instructor Ricky Campos
Hernandez, dancing for Interface Children & Family Services, with instructor Christina Maggio
Leana Bowman, dancing for Elite Theatre Company with instructor Lovie Hernandez
Irina Dukhon, dancing for Ventura County Arts Council with instructor, Jesse Chuy Rodriguez
Scott Hansen, dancing for Cancer Support Community, with instructor Maria Durant
Seana Marie Sesma, dancing for Bell Arts Factory, with instructor Charlie Antellon
Veronica Solis, dancing for Oxnard School District Education Foundation, with instructor Jorge Zaragoza
In addition to competing for the coveted Judge’s Choice Award for the best routine, the stars are also vying for the ‘People’s Choice Award’, which is awarded to the star that raises the most money for his or her charity. The fundraising campaign was launched June 1 and donations can be made online at www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.
Fundraising events will be hosted by participating charities during June and July, and culminates during festival weekend when festival-goers can donate on site at the ‘Dancing with Our Community Stars’ booth.
About this Year’s Stars: Chavez has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County for many years serving as a ‘Big Brother’ to many youths. He recently assumed the position of Director of Education & Public Affairs for the organization whose mission is to help children reach their full potential through professionally supported one-to-one, mentoring relationships with a measurable impact. The organization serves more than 900 at-risk kids and teens every year. “I am passionate about empowering our youth to become responsible and productive members of our society by serving as a champion for the cause of mentoring,” stated Chavez. Chavez graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies from Los Angeles City College where he served as student trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District. He made a professional career serving the community in non-profit organizations in Los Angeles, Washington DC and Ventura County. He resides in the Santa Rosa Valley with his partner of seven years.
Gutierrez has worked at El Concilio Family Services for the last 25 years, and now serves as executive director of the organization. El Concilio Family Services is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide direct services and educational programs to the underserved Latino community. “I am passionate about El Concilio Family Services because I see first hand the impact we have on those we serve. We do make a difference. We serve the low income under-served Latino community, those who don’t know where to turn for assistance. El Concilio Family Services is the bridge that helps them access the service they need,” stated Gutierrez. Gutierrez is a graduate of CSUN and Oxnard College. She resides in Oxnard with her four children.
For the last 11 years, Hernandez has served as chief of staff to Ventura County Supervisor, Kathy Long. He represents Supervisor Long at meetings and events primarily in the Santa Clara River Valley in addition to handling other responsibilities from planning meetings to administrative details. He became involved with Interface in 1998 as the Director of the Santa Paula Family Resource Center and, since then, has stayed active in the Resource Center’s Advisory Board and just recently joined Interface Board of Directors. Hernandez is a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist and a United States Air Force Veteran. Interface Children & Family Services addresses the multifaceted needs of families through core program areas including mental health, youth and family strengthening, family violence intervention, and more. The overall mission is strengthening children, families & communities to be safe, healthy and thriving.
Bowman is a grant writer and author and has worked in the non-profit sector, which inspired her to write a book, ‘Quick Start Writing for Non-Profits,’ an easy-to-follow manual that guides readers through the process of creating fundraising materials, press releases, marketing materials and grants. Leana believes in volunteerism. Over the years, she has volunteered for a wide variety of causes including Soroptimist International, the Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, the Oxnard Salsa Festival and the City of Oxnard’s Parks and Recreation Commission. In addition to now owning her own business, she also served as Executive Director for the Gull Wings Children’s Museum. She dances for the Elite Theater, which she has been involved in since 1998. Bowman has served in many capacities with the organization from board member to producer to marketing & publicity. An Oxnard resident, she is a mother of four and grandmother to three.
Born and raised in Russia, Dukhon is a physical therapist who incorporates dance movements into her physical therapy program. Dukhon dances for the Ventura County Arts Council, which supports and strengthens the arts throughout Ventura County by fostering a healthy environment in which the arts and culture can thrive. The Ventura County Arts Council serves county artists, arts organizations, and arts in education outreach programs by forming strong partnerships with arts supporters, businesses, foundations, and community leaders. “Irina’s use of dance movement with her patients fits directly with our mission of using the arts to improve the quality of life of county residents,” stated Margaret Travers, Executive Director of the Ventura County Arts Council. Dukhon resides in Ojai.
Hansen is the regional director for the Westlake Village and Santa Barbara regions of Wells Fargo Wealth Management. He served as Ventura Past Chair for the Cancer Support Community, formerly known as The Wellness Community. After losing a co-worker to cancer, Steve became involved in Cancer Support Community and learned of all the valuable services they provide. The Cancer Support Community offers hope and support, not only for those fighting the battle with cancer, but for their spouses, their caregivers and their children. Families are given the tools to help support the participant and help each other. “I knew from that moment on that I could make a difference in thousands of lives by donating my time and resources to The Cancer Support Community,” stated Hansen. “And, I take great pride knowing there are families being helped so they don’t have to fight cancer alone,” he added. Hansen resides in Ventura with his wife of twelve years and their three children.
Sesma is owner of ‘Ace-ana Promotions—We Logo & Promo You’, for the last 15 years, located in downtown Ventura. She also runs a second business next door, ‘The Wine Rack’, now seven years old. An active leader in the community Sesma currently serves as a board member on the Downtown Ventura Organization, The Ventura Visitors Bureau, and is a committee member of Moonlight at The Ranch. Sesma will dance for the Bell Arts Factory, whose mission lives in the belief that education, arts and collaboration are crucial for one’s well being and prosperity. “There are not many places where someone can see a potter create a masterpiece, while a child is learning to let their creativity flow through paint or dance. The Bells Art Factory is that place that celebrates art in our county under one roof and it is a place that all Ventura County can enjoy and participate in its growth and the growth of our children’s creativity,” stated Sesma. Sesma resides in Ventura.
Robles-Solis is board president for the Oxnard School District since 2010. A UCLA graduate with a degree in Sociology, Solis is a Social Worker/Community Liaison for Among Friends Adult Day Health Care Center in Oxnard. She is a strong supporter of public education and believes in giving back to the community. Solis grew up in Oxnard where she currently lives with her husband, Alexander, and their two children. Solis will be dancing for the Oxnard School District Educational Foundation, which supports and promotes academic excellence in Oxnard schools, specifically in areas where funding is otherwise unavailable. Over the years, the Foundation has provided a variety of programs and events, which have included teacher grants for interactive curriculum & arts programs, and other events that help bring the community together. “One of the main reasons I ran for the school board is, and always will be, is for the children – to give them the very best tools to compete and live productive lives during and after school,” Solis stated in the release.
About the Dancers: The Oxnard Salsa Festival welcomes back Jesse ‘Chuy’ Rodriguez and Christina Maggio, who have participated in the contest since its inception and who have both coached past winners. Ricky Campos and Lovie Hernandez also return again this year. Maria Durant joins the contest this year after having served as a salsa contest judge in the past. The owner of the Dance4Wellness, Durant has been a long-time supporter of the Cancer Support Community (formerly known as The Wellness Community). Joining the contest this year are Diane Tere, Charlie Antellon and Jorge Zaragoza.
About the Oxnard Salsa Festival: The Oxnard Salsa Festival was launched in 1994 by the Oxnard Downtowners to bring people into the downtown business district to celebrate Oxnard’s multicultural heritage and agricultural roots. The Festival, which celebrates everything salsa … the music, the food & dance, runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” Streets.
To learn more about the ‘Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest & Charity Fundraiser’ call Patty Brown at 805-607-9495 or email, patty@pattybrown.net
For festival information, call 805-247-0197, 800-2-Oxnard, or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com