Dancing days are here again

Suzie Harrison

Watching the skilled dancers choreograph numbers while wearing

dazzling costumes, one might think these performers were former

Rockettes, as they captivated their audience at the senior center at

the Jewish Community Center of Orange County on Thursday.

Ranging in age from 60 to 80, the “Happy Hoofers” are a tap dance

core of about 15 women who perform at area retirement homes,

convalescence homes and senior centers or any other place they are

requested.

Dorothy Jo Swanson started the “Happy Hoofers” in the early 1950s

after she moved to California.

“I opened the Dorothy Jo Dance Studio in Corona del Mar about a

week after I moved to California,” Swanson said. “Little by little,

they all drifted in and we grew -- we do about four performances a

month.”

Betty Benowitz, coordinator and director of the senior services

department at the senior center, said they have the “Happy Hoofers”

perform for the Fourth of July. She is one of their biggest fans.

Robert Cooper served as the emcee, dressed to the nines, with a

white jacket, black slacks and sparkling red bow tie and vest and was

sporting different hats to meld with the theme of each dance. Cooper

took the audience through a nostalgic journey of dance and music --

through the different eras and pointed out fascinating information

while also entertaining the crowd.

Swanson has been dancing since she was 12 and is still performing

at age 88. She choreographs the well thought out and performed

numbers. There were many show stoppers, including the Fourth of July

themed dances to “Grand Old Flag” and “Yankee Doodle,” where the

crowd couldn’t help but sing along.

The dancers even changed costumes between numbers to coordinate

with each themed piece. Regarding the dazzling often-sequined

costumes, Swanson explained that they have a sewing bee and make

their own.

Lorrie Collins, a dancer who facilitates the “Happy Hoofers,”

explained that there are two groups of dancers and they practice two

days a week with three hours a week of tap dancing.

“I’ve been dancing all my life and it feels natural,” Swanson

said. “What I like most about dancing are the people, activity and

audience. It makes everyone happy and it’s good exercise for the

person that’s doing it.”

She said it keeps the dancers’ memories quick -- not only do they

have to think about what they are doing, they have to think ahead to

what is next.

“It’s a joy, the camaraderie with the girls, to do something and

see the enjoyment of the senior citizens,” Collins said.

Collins and Swanson concurred that the key to life is to stay fit.

“Keeping active is the whole thing to everything,” Collins said.

“When I’m not practicing dance, I run the track.”

Dancer Madelon Sherick has been with the “Happy Hoofers” for 15

years.

“It’s a great group, fun and different from our daily lives,”

Sherick said.

Receiving rounds of applause, it was obvious the “Happy Hoofers”

are tapping their way into the hearts of their audiences.

To find out more about the “Happy Hoofers” or book them, call

(714) 968-7897.