July 10, 2011|By Mary Gail Hare, The Baltimore Sun
Milazzo, who never reveals her age, led the Sultry Sirens in a belly dance routine showing off the latest twists learned in DeWilde's classes.
The Silver Liners, a quartet of three gals and one guy, synchronized line dancing to several familiar tunes. Carl Smith, 69, said he never minds playing second fiddle to three women.
"Who wouldn't like being around all these talented women?" he said.
The line dancers had the audience moving in the seats, foot stomping to the beat and joining loudly in the "so good" chorus of "Sweet Caroline."
"I love the line dancing movements," said Mary Crothers, 74. "The music livens up any room and I don't have to have a partner to dance to it."
Fellow line dancer Shirley Avery, 75, said the steps keep her active physically and mentally. "It's a lot to remember," she said.
Then, the Sole Sistahs, in sleek black accessorized with hot pink, added a bit of funk to the production. Clautice, all in white lace and veils, impressed everyone with her modern ballet interpretation of "Pretty Woman."
"We are all pretty women here today," she said.
The finale medley of familiar favorites drew a few out of their seats. Melvin Metzger said he could not quite recall his exact age, but he easily remembered the lyrics to "Under the Boardwalk" as he danced a jitterbug with DeWilde. He managed to dip and twirl his partner a few times, too.
"I always liked to dance and have fun," Metzger said.
Gene Way, 79, said the performers get just as much from the show as they give audiences.
"It's really a two-way street," said Way, who played two piano solos and sang with an ensemble billed as Harmony Grits. "We are doing something for the community and having a really good time doing it."
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com