Long Beach Senior Arts Colony Program Director Helene Weinberg reports: It began with a simple meeting with Maha Afra, director of the Long Beach non-profit dance ensemble, Maha & Company. After meeting this energetic women and attending a dance concert performed by her company of young performers, I knew it would be fun to bring a dance/music workshop to Long Beach Senior Arts Colony. After pitching the idea, our grant writer proposed the workshop for a grant from The NAMM Foundation, and we were awarded funds to make “Moves & Grooves” happen.
The dance/drumming workshop began in July and our older adults met with the young dancers once a week for ten weeks. They enjoyed learning various dances and creating moves of their own. Drummers from Percussion of Discussion joined the workshops and participants learned how to create new rhythms while dancing to the beat.
The culminating event held in the Theater of LBSAC was standing room only. The audience was enraptured as our seniors shared the stage alongside the young performers in an evening of music, dance, and percussion. The finale had everyone on their feet- dancing, drumming, singing, and smiling as we all got up to Move & Groove! [Email subscribers: click here to see the video.]
Maha shared her thoughts on this experience: “I cannot even describe how incredible the outcomes were. The concert was above and beyond what the expectations were for the individuals and for the whole group. Other than what the performances represented, it was the positive reactions of the seniors who performed and the audience’s wonderful remarks that confirmed the positive outcomes.
“Heartwarming comments from the senior performers included:
“‘This was amazing.’ ‘I never thought I could do this.’ ‘This helped me get out of my shell.’ ‘I am so sad this is over.’ ‘When can we do this again?’
“The concert was a life changing experience for the seniors and also for the young company dancers.”
EngAGE sincerely thanks The NAMM Foundation for this opportunity.
EngAGE catalyzes the development of Arts Colonies that offer unique creative amenities such as art studios, galleries, and theaters.
~ Helene Weinberg, Program Director
