By Amanda Hatfield
Staff writer
BREVARD -- It has been said that, in their golden years, a person returns to the things he or she loves most.
Such is the case for the 36 women and one man that make up the Golden Steppers.
The Golden Steppers is a dance group comprised of Brevard seniors as young as 50 and reaching well into their 80s.
"Golden Steppers was started in Cocoa Beach at the Freedom 7 school, which used to be the old Freedom 7 senior center," said Martha Seymour, Golden Stepper choreographer.
"A lot of retirees who danced as children want to go back," Mrs. Seymour said. "It's kind of like riding a bike -- you never forget."
On Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., the Golden Steppers will hold its 25th anniversary performance, the Biggest Tap Show Ever, at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
"We hold one performance each year, typically in February or March," Mrs. Seymour said.
"The Indian River Cloggers are guests at this year's performance," Mrs. Seymour added. "They'll even have taps on their shoes."
The Golden Steppers is made up of four tap-dance classes, each ranging in difficulty.
"If people are interested in joining our group, I just need to know their experience, so I can place them where they are most comfortable," Mrs. Seymour said.
The Biggest Tap Show Ever features music from Broadway hits like "42nd Street" and "Stepping Out" to the musical styling of the Glenn Miller Band.
"There's a variety of music," Mrs. Seymour said. "I don't have any country-western, though, but I have a little of everything else.
Each year, the Golden Steppers give back to their community.
"Proceeds go to different organizations," Mrs. Seymour explained. "We give $1,000, more, if we have it, to the New Hope Children's Wish Foundation for terminally ill children."
The Golden Steppers also contributes to the Special Spotlight Theatre in Melbourne, which teaches adults with disabilities how to dance.
When Mrs. Seymour began choreography for the 25th anniversary of the Golden Steppers, she decided to make this year's event an all tap performance.
"Over the years, people said 'Oh, you should add more tap,'" Mrs. Seymour said. "So I'm doing what other people told me to do."
The Golden Steppers 25th anniversary performance, the Biggest Tap Show Ever, is Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse box office.
For more information about the Golden Steppers, call Caryln Dion at (321) 784-1454 or Martha Seymour at (321) 783-5931.