The Brooklyn Line Dancers, friends and supporters gathered at the Millennium Development Mill Basin Older Adults Center, at 2075 East 68th Street, on Friday, May 16th to celebrate the group’s “Sweet 16” anniversary commemorating 16 memorable years of line dancing, fun and friendship.
And what a celebration it was, as about 65 line dancers took turns filling the dance floor with dance routines, both single and in couples, without missing a step, while close to 50 internationally known line dance songs played throughout the event.
Line dance instructor Angela Genduso started the Brooklyn Line Dancers in May 2009. She has taught at several Millennium Development Senior Centers in Midwood, Bergen Beach, Marine Park and Mill Basin throughout the years. Seniors can join line-dance classes at any of the Millennium Development Centers.
Since then, she said that several hundred dancers have danced with the Brooklyn Line Dancers over the past 16 years. Many in the area may remember having seen them publicly at the Marine Park Outdoor Summer Concerts series, adding an extra element of entertainment to the events.
“Together we have built wonderful friendships, while keeping active,” Genduso said.“Line dancing is great for the body and the mind — our motto is ‘Live Love Dance.’”
Tables filled with photos of happy memories over the years and a posterboard filled with messages of gratitude, loving thoughts and congratulations to Genduso demonstrated the impact that she had on her dance students.
When everyone was seated for lunch, Millennium Development Executive Director Paul Curiale made a special presentation to not just congratulate Genduso, but to also announce the retirement of the Mill Basin Older Adults Center Director DonnaRae Weinstein, who will be replaced next week by Jonathan Turovets, who was the program director of the Marine Park Older Adults Center.
Weinstein and Genduso received accolades, recognition and thanks from both Curiale and Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, as well as parting gifts and awards. Curiale presented Weinstein with a clock and Elyse Abramson presented Genduso with a gift bag from all the members.
Weinstein, in turn, with tears in her eyes, also thanked her assistant Arlene Rosa, who she said deserved the awards as much as she did.
Narcisse presented City Council Citations to Weinstein and Genduso with high praise for their volunteer service to the community and for their outstanding citizenship. She then gathered the others, and they all presented medals for each of the line dancers.
The “Sweet 16” hit another final sweet note when cake was served at the end of the event.
