Published: February 22, 2008 06:53 pm            

Dancing with the Seniors

davidl@cullmantimes.com



Three days a week, a group of seniors transform the Donald E. Green Senior Center into a dance hall where they practice line-dance steps such as the Cha-Cha slide.

However, don’t expect to see boots, 10-gallon hats or other western attire there — despite the dance’s country-western roots.

“It’s line dancing — it’s not called country-western line dancing anywhere anymore,” said Donna Barnett, a line-dance instructor who leads the Senior Spirit Kickers.

Barnett said members of the organization dance to a wide array of musical genres, including pop, rock, swing and Latin.

“We even do a dance to Italian music,” Barnett said. “We are an international dance group and that’s what line dancing has become.”

Sherry Boatright, who instructs the group when Barnett is not available, said line dancing never appealed to her until she realized the synchronized dance style was not synonymous with country music.

“I wasn’t into the boots and that kind of thing,” she said. “What I found out was that (country-western) is not what line dancing is all about.”

Area residents will have an opportunity to learn more about line dancing Saturday during a workshop at the senior center that will begin at 9 a.m. The event, titled “Steppin’ Out in Cullman, Alabama” will also include a dance party that will kick off at 7 p.m.

The registration fee for the event is $25. For those who only wish to attend the evening dance, the cost is $10. Proceeds from the event will benefit the senior center.

“We’ve got dancers coming from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida,” said Angie Jochum, director of the senior center. So far, she said 70 have registered for the program.

“This is a big event,” Barnett added. “This is really going to be something special.”

Members of Senior Spirit Kickers said this is a major event for them as well.

“We’re prepared. We’ve practiced a lot,” said Nancy Scott, who admits she’s a little nervous about performing in front of an audience.

Scott and several other members extolled the benefits of line dancing, saying the activity provides physical exercise.

“It’s good exercise and it’s challenging sometimes too,” said Gwyn Thompson.

Nancy Scott agreed. “It’s a wonderful way to stay fit.”

Marie Hart said there are also mental benefits to the exercise.

“It keeps your mind sharp,” she said.

Boatright said dancing has psychological benefits.

“There have been days when we come in here and it’s more like therapy,” she said.

Furthermore, the dance is enjoyable.

“We have a lot of fun,” said 72-year-old Shirley Nelson, who claims to be the group’s senior member.

Scott said she enjoys dancing so much she forgets it’s good for her. “It kind of disguises your exercise,” she said.

“This is some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” said Patty Grier. “This is something you look forward to.”

Boatright said Grier is not alone.

“You will find that everyone is this group plans activities around our dancing days,” she said. “If we have to have a hair appointment, it’s not on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.”

Grier said she goes to the group exercise for the group itself. “The fellowship here is unbelievable,” she said.

Although no men are currently members of the group, Boatright said they are invited to join — as long as they meet the 50-and-above age requirement.

Boatright said part of the appeal of line dancing is “with line dancing, you don’t have to have a partner.”

        

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