| October 3,
2004 Section: News Edition: SAC Page: SC1 LOCAL DANCERS TAP THEIR WAYS TO GOLDEN DAYS Carol Rock Staff Writer |
| It's no coincidence that
their signature number is 'Stayin' Alive.' These ladies know how to live.
The MaryEllen Dancers, named for their manager Mary Alvidrez
and choreographer Ellen Walen, meet twice a week to give their feet,
fingers and friendships a workout.
``All right, let's mambo!'' Alvidrez says as she claps her
hands over her head in preparation. The women space themselves out and
start moving rhythmically, some counting or mouthing the lyrics to the
music. Some wear character shoes and some, patent-leather tappers. One
perky member tapped away in tuxedo shoes that matched her black-and-white
outfit, down to the flashy scarf at her neck.
They run through their repertoire that includes old-time favorites
such as ``Orange Colored Sky'' and big musical numbers such as ``One''
from ``Chorus Line.'' They might be learning their steps, but they don't
shy away from getting out there to put their best foot forward.
As Walen demonstrated a shuffle step, Phyllis Miller, 94, asked,
``Is this where we go into a circle?''
A moment later, Miller was point woman on the line, waving her tap
cane and grinning.
Olga Devlin's happiness was contagious as she held her head high
while bouncing through a routine. In her younger days, Devlin, 79, used to
perform in a troupe of 90 dancers.
Ruth Roberts, 84, said she started dancing when she was 65 and
worked for Dancin' In Acton as the office manager.
``I love it,'' she said.
``I first moved here in 1994,'' said Miggy Mirabella, 80. ``But I'm
doing things now that I couldn't do when I was younger.''
Bonnie Chisholm, 77, echoed the sentiment. ``I started out line
dancing. I always wanted to dance. We couldn't afford it when I was
younger. Then I had kids. But now it's my time.''
``I started this to get exercise,'' said Miller. ``I love it all.
It's just like the movies. Our leaders are the greatest.''
As a young woman, Walen was a professional dancer with Howard
Prinze in Chicago, and she toured with shows entertaining U.S. military
troops. But she made a career change - to elementary school teaching - and
focused on dancing only as a choreographer for her pupils' winter and
spring programs.
``Ballet is my preference,'' she said. ``I started dancing when I
was 5. I quit when I was 32 and hadn't danced for 40 (years). And here I
am.''
After she retired from education, her dancing feet found their home
in Friendly Valley.
``I started with this group in 1997 and have fun with them. They've
come a long way dancing, as far as I'm concerned.''
While Walen figures out the steps, Alvidrez does a lot of
the costume designing and booking for the group. She's learned to make do
with simple designs that can dazzle with the right application of sequins
- and, of course, a feather applied just so gives the outfit a certain
pizazz.
The MaryEllen Dancers have performed at the Valencia Town Center
and various other venues, collecting smiles and applause at every stop.
Walen is working on a special Christmas presentation in case there's a
call for holiday entertainment.
``We're hoping to visit those who can't come to us,'' she said,
adding that the dancers are still an important part of a regular
performing group at Friendly Valley. ``We dance at luncheons, senior
center events, senior homes - for whoever will have us.''
To contact the MaryEllen Dancers, call Alvidrez at (661)
298-4335 or Walen at (661) 252-2881.
Carol Rock, (661) 257-5252 carol.rock(at)dailynews.com |
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Copyright (c) 2004 Daily News of Los Angeles |