SUN CITY – What started in 2003 as a love for tap dance and Shirley Temple movies is nearing its tenth birthday, and members of the Sun City Strutters are looking forward to an anniversary to remember.
Graceful Susie Goldsmith (in orange) practices a routine with other Strutters at a recent rehearsal. (Chris La Pelusa | Sun Day Photo)
The group will commemorate its anniversary in a series of two shows, which will focus on the history of the group and the various kinds of dances it has performed over the years. The performances, slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 in the Drendel Ballroom and 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 in the Huntley High School auditorium, still have tickets available.
Jackie Cesarone, one of the founding members of the group, said a key part of the performance will be a compilation of dances performed through the years.
“It’s kind of special. People that were in the program before can see the dances that are still being done. It’s kind of a nostalgic thing. We’re putting some of the old with some of the new and giving a big, rousing finale to boot,” she said, adding that to keep some suspense, those details wouldn’t be released.
Cesarone has always been impressed with the response received for the group. When she and other volunteers held an informational meeting back in 2003 to see who would be interested in starting a dance group, she expected maybe 15 to 20 people. There were at least 90.
Though the group primarily started with tap dance classes, it added ballet and jazz within two years.
“We’ve mainly stuck to those, but we’ll have special sessions where we’ll dance ballroom or square. But it’s primarily those three,” Cesarone said, adding there really hasn’t been a need to add any additional genres of dance.
Cesarone stepped down from the group in 2007 but still serves as their “Number One fan.”
“I always attend their performances and cheer them on. And I may even visit a class every now and then. I’m just so excited that this program kept going on. And I’m so proud of the dancers and teachers,” she said, adding her retirement came after a two-part decision. “There were other things that I wanted to do, and it was getting more difficult to continue dancing because of the strain it put on my knees. But I think I was ready because I enjoyed it so much and it was the right time to go.”
Prior to creating the group, Cesarone had a long history with dance. She took her first classes when she was about seven. She would advance on to some professional classes, some community theater productions, and choreography before making the move to Sun City.
• More information about the event can be found in the May Lifestyle magazine. In addition, tickets can be purchased at the Prairie Lodge on May 8, 15, and 22 from 10 a.m. to noon and at Meadow View Lodge on May 7, 14, and 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $3 per person.
