Seniors learn new styles of dance in Gulfport
GULFPORT, Miss (WXXV) – Every Tuesday and Thursday senior citizens in Gulfport are turning the Isiah Fredericks Community Center into their personal dance floor, learning different styles of ballroom and line dancing.
One 93-year-old man says dancing is his medicine. Retired veteran Mack Moore says, “I have a lot of problems but dancing is the best exorcise you can have and that’s my joy. I get out here and move around and my aches and pains just go away.”
When he first discovered ballroom dancing, the retired veteran didn’t know what to expect. “What is ballroom? I mean I thought I was going to be like Fred Astaire or somebody you know out there jumping around. But uh, this is Mississippi Ball Room Southern Style. It’s so beautiful man I enjoy doing this dance.”
Line dancing has always been popular in the Magnolia state. Over the last 15 years, senior citizens have been seeking out the founder and instructor of Marsha Soul Line Dancers, Marsha Harris, to stay in shape while having fun. “They came to me. A lot of them is health reasons why they dance. They came to me and said their doctor told them to continue dancing because it’s helping them, their moved changed, every.”
83-year-old dancer Brenda Matthews enjoys attending dance classes with Marsha Harris. “I love Marsha Anne Harris really. She takes so much time with us. You know if a person is just coming in, she would take that time and make sure they learn the steps. She will encourage them to come up on the front so they can see the steps.”
Ballroom dance lessons start at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and line dancing starts at 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. if you are looking to attend.
