Published: February 03, 2006 05:32 pm            

Style and elegance: Senior center transforms into Stardust Ballroom

Bill Reddecliff is 68 and, up until five years ago, wouldn’t be caught dead on a dance floor.

It wasn’t until he and his wife, Sally, secretly took dance lessons prior to their daughter’s 2000 wedding that he became comfortable dancing in public.

The couple shocked relatives and guests as they took command of the floor during the traditional opening wedding party dance.

“We didn’t even tell our kids about the lessons. Our oldest son was so shocked he yelled, ‘Look at mom and dad,’ and they put a spotlight on us,” Bill said. “I took the lessons because I was so afraid of stepping on my daughter’s, Heidi Jo, feet during the father/ daughter dance.”

The Reddecliffs enjoy dancing so much that they have joined regulars at Johnstown’s Senior Activity Center at 550 Main St.

The center is entering a new era as it introduces its Stardust Ballroom, which will be a reflection of the great ballrooms so prevalent in the 1930s and ’40s.

The ballroom will be open each Tuesday beginning on Valentine’s Day. On Feb. 14, a “Love Is in the Air” dinner-dance will begin at 5 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. Dinner will be served at 6 and couples can dance from 7 to 10.

The party is open to the public and will feature the sounds of Swing City, a six-piece band under the direction of trumpeter Dan Perich of Beaverdale.

“The dining room will be transformed into the Stardust Ballroom. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere of elegance and style,” said Sharon Hartnett, program and events coordinator for the center.

“We will have the tables covered and each one will be candlelit.”

The Valentine’s Day dance will be special for John and June Hammer of Jenner Township, who have been dancing at the center for decades.

“We will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary that evening,” John said.

“Sally and Bill (Reddecliff) are the youngsters of the group, and we would love to see more young people come to the dances.”

John estimates the average age of dancers is about 75.

“You don’t have to be a great dancer,” June said. “No two dancers are the same.”

Another couple who seldom miss a dance are John Chanonich, 88, of East Conemaugh, and Vicki Castiglione, 86, of Mizel Street, Johnstown.

“No one should stay at home and be lonely when you have something like this,” Castiglione said. “This is a wonderful chance to get know people.”

Chanonich said he feels sorry for anyone who doesn’t take advantage of such activities because, “They are missing a lot of enjoyment.”

Hartnett said she would encourage anyone age 55 and older to attend.

“The baby-boom generation is aging and this is a wonderful alternative to going to bars to hear some great music,” she said. “Plus, people can socialize without being drowned out by the music.”

Perich said his band knows about 500 songs from the big-band era made famous by such band leaders as the Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.

“When you compare swing music and early rock ’n’ roll tunes, there is not much difference when you’re jitterbugging,” Perich said. “But it takes a long time to learn songs from the 1940s, while it only took us three hours to learn about 50 rock ’n’ roll songs.”

The transition was smooth because Perich said he grew up listening to the music of groups such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears, the swing bands of his era.

“We need to attract younger dancers to the senior center, which, next to the Masonic Temple, offers one of the largest dance floors in the area,” Perich said. “You need a lot of room when your ballroom dancing and doing the waltz, fox-trot, cha cha or rumba.”

To help attract younger dancers, Perich and his wife, Mary Lou, offer free dance lessons for one hour prior to each event.

“To appreciate the music, it’s more enjoyable when you know the specific dance steps,” Hartnett said.

Perich, who also is a member of another popular Johnstown band, Flood City Brass, has volunteered his services to the center for 17 years.

The Valentine’s Day dance, which costs $14 a person or $25 a couple, includes a full-course meal.

Sally Reddecliff said anyone looking for an enchanting evening should come to the senior center on Valentine’s Day.

“Since Bill learned to dance, I have given up my bowling and all of my clubs,” she said. “I love being in Bill’s arms and would rather be holding him than clutching a bowling ball. We didn’t know anyone when we came here five years ago, but we cherish these people as dear friends.”

Reservations: 535-8634.



Tom Lavis can be reached at 532-5054 or tlavis@tribdem.com.

        

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