Twilight years line dancers step towards success

Local line dancers prepare for a show and a competition in Fourways, and theyre all over 50.

2 hours ago

Ayanda Ntshingila 1 minute read

As the excitement builds, a group of seniors at Norscot Manor Recreation Centre are gearing up for a dance show and competition that will showcase their newfound skills in line dancing.

The group, comprised of individuals aged 50-95, has been attending lessons at the centre, learning the basics of line dancing from their coach Leon Nel. With only one week to go before the big event, they’re feeling confident and ready to take on the challenge.

Line dancers preparing for dance show and competition.

“The journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. The groups are made up of complete beginners and have progressed through various levels of line dancing, from newcomer, to beginner, improver, novice, intermediate, and now advanced,” explained Nel.

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Nel has tailored his lessons to meet his dancer’s individual needs, adapting the pace and style to ensure they’re comfortable and confident in their movements.

As they prepare for the competition, the emphasis is on mastering the sequence of steps and movements for each dance. “I make sure they know the steps and can move comfortably with the music. It’s not just about executing the steps correctly, but also about presenting themselves confidently to the judges and audience,” said Nel.

As they near the competition date, the group is eager to show off their new skills. They’ve made new friends and experienced the benefits of line dancing firsthand – mild exercise, stress relief, and most importantly, happiness. “We want to show the public that line dancing is fun,” said Nel

These dancers are demonstrating that age is just a number when it comes to line dancing. With determination, practice, and a passion for music, this group of seniors will shine in their upcoming show and competition.

Fay Renney, Nomatter, Anna Vimercati, Magda Bester, and Lois Hambridge.

The dance show is to take place on July 19-21 at Fourways Mall. To join the group or take part in the dance show contact Leon Nel at 082 349 5424 or email at leonnel@tiscali.co.za.