Never too old to rock ‘n’ roll
Rosette Gonzales
With sparkling costumes, snappy tunes and sharp dance moves, seniors
proved Monday that you’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll.
The Joslyn Adult Center had its biannual senior superstar showcase
Monday, featuring an array talented musicians, comics and dancers,
including one of the belly variety.
“I love dancing,” said tap dancer Carol Black, 81, of The Tap
Chicks. “I love the people and entertaining seniors because I’m a
senior and I know how much it means for them to have a show.”
The group of a dozen tapping “chicks” started taking lessons
almost 10 years ago, tap dance teacher Pam Kay said.
“They got to be so good I said, ‘Let’s put a performance group
together,’” Kay said.
Twice a year, the senior superstar showcase gives seniors who used
to perform professionally a chance to be in the spotlight once more,
event organizer Marie Burnett said. But it also provides a venue for
those who discovered their talent later in life.
“All my life I wanted to be a dancer,” Tap Chicks member Esther
Monterro, 75, said. “I got to be 70 and I said, ‘I’m going to
dance!’”
Audience members were treated to a variety of acts, including an
unconventional rock ‘n’ roll rendition of “In the Navy,” accompanied
by the belly dancing of “Sophie.” Wrapped in a sheer American flag,
Sophie beckoned onlookers with her hypnotizing east-meets-west moves.
“Who wants to sign up for the Navy? Anybody?” Burnett prodded the
audience after Sophie’s dance.
But comedian-singer Herb Coleman, 71, snapped audience members out
of their trance and brought them to their feet with his performance.
One audience member started dancing the twist when he sang “What’d I
Say” by Ray Charles and two others danced in the aisles to “Mac the
Knife.”
Coleman worked as a professional entertainer throughout his life,
singing, dancing and songwriting.
“I even juggled once -- three girls at the same time,” he said.