VIA Times – February 2023 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Ryan Tejero
Joining the entertainment in Chicago FilAm community is La Mar Dance Club. Filipino Americans love to dance. It is always the best way of staying fit not only for the young ones but also the not so young anymore. Any movement while dancing gives improvement in muscle tone. It makes the body strong and increases endurance and fitness. When going to all these parties and events that involve dancing, the opportunity to meet new friends or build positive relationships and networking.
Organizing a dance club is not an easy task. It involves a lot of patience and creativity. It includes a company of like-minded people who share the passion of dancing and supporting one another. This is the reason why La Mar Dance Club was organized. It will be launched in its grand opening on February 18, 2023 at the Dee Park and Recreation Center located at 9229 West Emerson St. in Des Plaines, Illinois 60016. A line up of non-stop music and entertainment features await the audience during the grand opening event. With Mardigras as the theme, participants are encouraged to wear their best attire and masks. There will be special awards to the top three best in costumes of the night, with prizes: $100, $75 and $25. The disc jockey of this event is no less than La Mar’s owner, Mar Crome. Tickets to this event is $30, and all proceeds will go as seed money for La mar’s projects. The dance club will have monthly events at different venues all over Chicago.
La Mar’s Grand opening will feature Chicago’s young singer-performer, Kayla Tejero. Kayla is well-recognized in the FilAm community as a columnist of the award-winning FilAm newsmagazine, VIA Times. She also performs for charitable organizations and appears in concerts held in Chicago. Kayla said “It is my pleasure to join the grand opening event and to show my support to Mar Crome. La Mar Dance Club is a great addition to our Chicago FilAm community.”
Also featured during the event are FilAm ballroom dancer, Alfreda Reterrer and her dance partner, Artem Lazarev of My Dance Hub Studio. Both performers will highlight the grand opening of La Mar and will make it a memorable event. Alfreda said “I am delighted to help my friend Mar Crome in launching her La Mar Dance Club.”
When asked about her reasons of organizing La Mar Dance Club, Mar Crome said “this is my way of getting everybody in the community together in a venue where everyone is we express positivity, joining to dance whether we are beginners or masters. This dance club will serve as a reminder that there is always an opportunity to discover something new about yourself. So, I invite everyone to dance with us. I plan to network with other organizations and eventually raise funds for special projects that will benefit our community. This dance club is not about me, but about everyone who enjoy dancing and are positive about life.”
Marissa is a mother of five, grandmother of six grandsons and one granddaughter. She enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. She is married to Charles Crome who is a retired USN Sailor. For leisure time, Marissa and Charles like to watch movies, listen to music, and enjoy gourmet cooking, and photography. Mar and Charles are members of Chicago Filipino American Lions Club. You can connect with La Mar Dance Club through email Lamar23dj@gmail.com or telephone number 847 867 0109.
