Young at Heart Elders Perform in “Seniors Have Talent”

Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center

— by Cara Russell —

Creative and expressive people are drawn to Orcas Island; and part of our lively culture is the desire of those people to perform for local audiences. We islanders pack the theaters to see local talent shows over the years. We watch our neighbors, our kids, our friends, our parents, our grandkids, our friends’ kids, and on and on, performing and sharing their passion for a particular talent — singing, dancing, acting, entertaining.

Didier Gincig, coordinator of Hearts and Hands volunteer services

And we grow older — the child who years ago played “Tiny Tim” in “A Christmas Carol” we can expect to see someday as “Scrooge.” Yet, as the years go by, that flicker inside that loves to perform and give, still craves an occasional hot mic and blinding spotlight, and the opportunity to entertain our friends.

Didier Gincig, Coordinator of Hearts and Hands volunteer services at the Senior Center, (and for years emcee of the island kids’ “Whale of a Show”) thinks there’s a great show just waiting for the island seniors to perform. And it will take place on Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center, in the First Annual “Seniors Have Talent” show and fundraiser.

Proceeds from the show and silent auction will go to support Hearts and Hands and the Senior Center.

Martin Lund, teaching the kids music on the ferry

“Seniors Have Talent” is part of Gincig’s concept of invigorating the Senior Center with more fun and new faces. “The culture is changing at the Senior Center,” says Gincig. “We’re creating a community center for people of all ages with events like this show.”

Seniors, ranging in age from their 60s to their 80s, provide “phenomenal talent,” says Gincig. That talent includes acts such as:

1. Ron Myers: “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck and “Phantom of the Opera Medley” arranged by Ron Myers
2. Bill Gincig and Jean Henigsen: “Dancing the Pase Doble”
3. George Post: “Fishing Blues” by Taj Mahal, accompanied by John Sumrall
4. Jari Brenner: “Pennies From Heaven”
5. Dave Roseberry: “These Are the Places in the World”
6. Joyce Greene: Jokes
7. Marj Franke accompanied by Grace McCune: “Miss Celie’s Blues” by Quincy Jones
8. The Songbirds: “Sunrise, Sunset” “Ragtime Cowboy Joe” by Lewis Muir and Maurice Abrahams” “Four Old Ladies Stuck in a Lavoratory”

Senior Songbirds, 2009

Other talent, with their acts still to be decided, include Eleanor Peterson, Those Guys From Orcas (John Liger, Carl Berger, Marj Franke, Tish Knapp), John Liger and Carl Burgerand Martin Lund

“The lure of these performers is going to draw a great crowd,” said Gincig of the lineup.

In addition to the show, there will be a Silent Auction as part of the fundraising effort.  Silent Auction Items donated include:

• Five Course Breakfast for 4-5 people (Otter’s Pond Bed and Breakfast)
• $50 Gift Certificate (Orcas Island Pottery)
• $50 Gift Certificate (Olga’s)
• Three-Night Stay at private waterfront, luxury cottage at Raccoon Point. (Ken and Karen Speck Cherie Lindholm Realtors)
• One Year Subscription (Island Sounder)
• One Growler a Month for a Year (Island Hoppin’ Brewery)
• Two Nights Lodging at (Kingfish Inn)
• Preserves and Jams (Girl Meets Dirt)
• Fishing Trips (North Shore Charters)
• Whale Watching Expedition (Orcas Island Eclipse Charters)
• Gift Certificate (Brown Bear Bakery)

The show starts at 2 p.m. sharp at the Orcas Island Senior Center on Saturday, November 7th. Address: 62 Henry Rd, Phone: (360) 376-2677. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Senior Center, at Darvill’s Bookstore, and at the door.