Dozens of senior residents hailing from everywhere in the 5 boroughs sang, danced and carried out poetry within the metropolis’s third annual Expertise Is Timeless competitors on Thursday.
The rivals – ranging in age from 60s to 90s – took to the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights Thursday morning after making it by way of different elimination rounds hosted on the likes of Lincoln Middle and the Brooklyn Academy of Music earlier this yr.
“These are the individuals who constructed this metropolis — now they’ll entertain this metropolis,” Division of Growing old Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez instructed The Submit, including that the concept for the competition got here from Mayor Eric Adams after a senior pickleball contest.
The occasion is a part of a metropolis initiative to fight stereotypes about its getting older residents, officers stated.
“A very powerful factor is to by no means let that potential you might have diminish,” Cortés-Vázquez added.
The spirited selection present spanned mediums, genres and generations, with older New Yorkers displaying off their skills by way of folks music and sea shanties to Spanish-language ballads and even stomach dancing.
Almost 800 people and teams repping the town’s 300-plus older grownup facilities had been whittled down to simply 22 acts on the Thursday grand finale.
First place winner Thelma Ruffin Thomas, a 91-year-old retired librarian, carried out “Thelma’s Rap” – a poem written to her by a pal — about centuries of black historical past interwoven along with her circle of relatives’s story.
The Chelsea resident additionally lately competed within the nationwide finals of the swimming backstroke for adults over 90.
Staten Islander Gianvito Bottalico, 77, carried out “That’s Amore” whereas juggling handmade props – together with a spinning pizza pie.
The Italian-born singer – who arrived in Brooklyn at 19 years outdated earlier than relocating to Eltingville, Staten Island 5 years in the past – stated it was a straightforward choice to belt the 1953 tune made well-known by Dean Martin.
“It’s a tune that features everybody,” he stated. “It’s straightforward to know. It’s about love and innocence and expressing clear love for a woman, for the world, for friendship, for every part.”
John Baxter, 88, sang an unique folks tune dubbed “Patricia” devoted to his old flame as a teen, and Brooklyn resident Andrea Levitt declared her timeless love for the limelight with a rendition of “Broadway Child.”
The 83-year-old cabaret singer, who has carried out on the likes of Hell’s Kitchen’s “Don’t Inform Mama,” stated her secret to staying younger is having fun with life surrounded by household and mates — together with actor Paul Giamatti, who got here out to congratulate her after the efficiency.
“Singing and giving pleasure to others and your self can deliver you a lot pleasure,” Levitt stated.
Different winners included the eight-member KCS Senior Dance Crew from the Korean-American Flushing Older Grownup Middle, which took house the very best group award.
Amanda Rodriguez, of Manhattan, received third place for her dance to “La Negra,” whereas Bronx resident Barbara Grey, 70, scored each second place and viewers favourite for her vocal rendition of Patsy Cline’s “Loopy.”
“Hastily I get off the stage, all people was applauding, it was such a rush,” Grey, of Riverdale, remarked. “I actually like the concept that that is for seniors.
“American idol doesn’t need you for those who’re 28 years outdated,” she added. “We’re older, however everybody nonetheless has a variety of expertise.”
