CORAL GABLES, Fl -- What do 12 senior citizens whose average age is 84 have in common with the ABC-TV popular show, ‘Dancing with the Stars’? 

Although they aren’t appearing on national TV, their dancing skills will be tapped when they compete before celebrity judges in a local dance competition, “Dancing Thru the Decades” on Saturday, January 21 at The Palace Coral Gables.

The 12 seniors are residents of the active retirement community and are being paired with Palace staff members who are their dance partners for the event.  They’ve been rehearsing and training for the evening’s event with choreographer Edgar Cunningham who teaches at The Palace. 

Cunningham facilitates a Palace Coral Gables dance class known as Barrerobics, which is based on the New York City Ballet’s exercise program for dancers. Participants are seated rather than use a dance barre. The exercises involve stretching, and they work out twice a week to get in shape for the competition.

Social director Pamela Parker and Cunningham conceived the idea of a dance competition last summer to show people that there are few limitations associated with a chronological age.  If there is the desire and spirit, one can accomplish feats far beyond one’s expectations.

The majority of the dancers have no dancing experience, or haven’t danced in years. The oldest dancer is Eve Greenfield, 98, and the youngest is Vicki Gordon, 72.  Cunningham has choreographed the show which features music from five decades and each team has a dance routine fitting the music of the time. 

In addition to Cunningham’s Barrerobics class, residents have also been working on their endurance in the fitness center at The Palace Coral Gables, under the direction of personal trainer Julian Hevia.

“Dancing is great exercise,” said Hevia. “It helps with the more technical aspects of fitness including coordination and balance.  I recommend it to all of our residents because they end up having a lot of fun and forget they are exercising.”

The Palace also offers Zumba™ and “Move your Boombsay”.   Sarah Wishnia (85) and Mary Schirripa (88) are several of the dancers who regularly work out at the fitness center with Hevia. 

“Other benefits derived from ballroom dancing include boosting self-esteem and creating an overall sense of wellbeing. Dancing motivates people to get moving,” he explained. 

Judges for the “Dancing Thru the Decades” include Emelie Garcia, ballroom dance champion and instructor at Arthur Murray International; Lourdes Arteaga, artistic director Miami Royal Ballet; and Miami Dolphins Cheerleading squad captain Jennifer.