BRADENTON -- The other three members of the group teased Alan Linn about his age.
He’s only celebrated a mere 77 birthdays.
Virginia Organ has enjoyed 93.
Her husband, Leonard, looks forward to turning 90 soon.
Leone Cranson is 92.
All four teem with youthful verve, though, while seated together at a table by the main wooden floor of the Bradenton Dance Center discussing their favorite pastime:
Ballroom dancing.
Waltz, tango, ch cha and more is what keeps this group of local seniors young. The center’s owner/director Michael Jasecki and instructor/manager Kathryn Lyon provide the lessons. Every Thursday except Thanksgiving is the big dance party at the center attended by 50 to 80 people of all ages. The group seated together rarely misses. It’s when they show off their latest moves.
“People retire and suddenly there’s this opens space,” Jasecki said this past Tuesday while seated at a table with Lyon and their four senior dancing stars. “This gives them lots of things to look forward to with the competitions and Thursday parties.”
Mrs. Organ nodded in agreement and smiled.
The Organs have been married 14 years. After her first husband passed, Virginia made it clear to Leonard that if he wanted to marry her, he was going to have to dance. Mr. Organ is getting the hang of it. (story continues below video clips)
“I don’t know if he’s quite made it yet,” Mrs. Organ said with a laugh. “He dances very well with Kathryn. I dance with Michael.”
At Mrs. Cranson’s 80th birthday bash, her son said, “What are you going to do next?”
“Learn to dance,” she responded.
Mrs. Cranson, a widow, feared she was too old but stopped by the center anyway. Jasecki informed her that you’re never too old to learn. She has since won dance competitions in Greece, France, Italy and Argentina as well as across the country.
“My children are real pleased,” Mrs. Cranson said. “I danced with my 22-year-old grandson at a wedding recently and people sure were surprised.”
Mr. Linn, a widower, started coming to the center about 1 1/2 years ago.
“He’s fun to dance with,” Mrs. Cranson said.
“It’s a pastime or hobby that you can never grow out of,” Mr. Linn said. “It’s something you can always get better at.”
Jasecki mentioned benefits of dancing such as improved physical health, confidence, socializing, and giving people a sense of belonging.
Then there’s the romantic factor. Several marriages first sparked on the center’s dance floor.
Lyon confirmed the rumor that dancing -- especially dancing well -- does make a man more popular with the ladies.
“I have to beat them off with a stick,” Mr. Linn said.
His favorite dance is the cha cha because “it’s exotic.”
“I’ll have to remember that for Thursday,” Mrs. Cranson said to Mr. Linn, seated to her immediate left.
She relishes the triple swing. “It’s got more action,” she said.
Mr. Organ prefers the waltz. “I try to be precise and I enjoy that,” he said.
Mrs. Organ likes to tango because “it’s challenging.”
They all agree that what they like most about ballroom dancing is that it makes them feel young.
“When I get out my dance shoes I feel like a new person,” Mrs. Cranson said.
“It turns me right on,” Mrs. Organ agreed. “And it raises my ego.”
Mrs. Cranson loves when people look at her in disbelief and say, “You’re 92 and still dancing?”
“My children were surprised and supportive when they found out I was dancing,” Mr. Linn said. “I think they thought I might be slowing down.”
Although the quietest one at the table, Mr. Organ perhaps summed up the timeless appeal of dancing best.
“Everyone seems the same age on the dance floor,” he said.
Details: Bradenton Dance Center, 6006 Cortez Road, Bradenton. Information: (941) 792-7410 or www.bradentondance.com.
Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at (941) 745-7057. Visit his blog at www.bradenton.com/blogs.
