By Clare BUCHANAN

On May 28, dancers from Revolution Dance Company (RDC) performed sparkling original numbers for residents living at Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living, spurring intergenerational mingling between the two communities. 

Thursday evening on Honolulu Avenue, Sparr Heights residents gathered in their banquet hall, awaiting the arrival of the dancers who walked to the estate from their studio in downtown Montrose. Dancers arrived donned in bedazzled tutus, patchwork frocks and tasseled leotards to perform numbers they have been practicing for the past year. 

Performances ranged in style from tap to lyrical to modern dance. Dancers varied in age and tone as a younger trio performed a comedic and entertaining piece called “The Witches Are Back,” inspired by the film “Hocus Pocus.” Other dancers chose to perform more emotional, lyrical solos.

After the performances, RDC dancers offered drawstring bags to senior residents. Senior residents at Sparr Heights returned the favor by gifting two handmade paintings that are on display at the company’s studio on Honolulu Avenue. 

Zareh Markarian and his business partner Fred Diaz of RDC noted that this event was the first of its kind for RDC and Sparr Heights Estates Senior Living. Markarian and Diaz said the event was good practice for the dancers’ recital in early June. Both instructors picked out a number of dance performances they felt would be well received by senior residents, including a group rendition of “Hard Knock Life” and a tap solo of “Singing In The Rain.” Markarian has been teaching dance for 15 years and has owned RDC with Diaz for five years. 

Scarlett, a dancer who has been with RDC for 11 years, performed a tap solo for Sparr Heights residents and expressed her excitement at the event. 

“Everybody loves dance, no matter the age,” Scarlett said.