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The International Dancers, husbands and guests attended an Appreciation Party June 1, coordinated by Penny Skog, Director. Thank you, Penny, for a lovely party. Awards were presented to Anita Lawrence and Carol Hurt for a fabulous job of coordinating the Festival of Dances and International Costume Parade in May. Anita acknowledged all members who helped make the show a success. Members look forward to a restful month in July. Some will be participating in the Follies in late September of this year. Practice begins in August. For information about International Dancers of Sun Lakes, call Penny Skog, at (951) 846-3220 (Director/American Dance) or Diane Rossovich at (530) 913-8758 (Assistant Director) or any of the coordinators listed in the yellow box at right. 36 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2019 | Hard at work for the Fourth of July parade are the Stardust Dancers. This group did their first ever performance in the cart parade in 1998, and 24 students worked in the parking lot to build up the stamina to complete the whole parade route. It was hot, and they had to dance while moving forward. You either keep up or get run over. It was a tough gig for the 55 and over ladies. Today there are still six of those dancers who will be seen at the 2019 pre-parade show. You can see them do their military routine following the barbershop singers. The routine features two of the men members of "Men Of Style." The performance is dedicated to Diane Hofler who passed away on Mother's Day. If you would like to enjoy membership in this group, call Evelyn Hawkins at (951) 616-4542. Both male and female residents are accepted. Lots of fun is a must for this group. Stardust Dancers International Dancers Joan Lau (951) 769-3978 Asian Nora (951) 845-8333 Flamenco Perla (951) 467-8339 Filipino Donna (951) 282-1087 Belly Dance Diane (951) 769-0286 Hawaiian Sarah (951) 769-1164 Hawaiian Sussy (951) 797-3258 Folkloric Merle (951) 845-9342 Indian After more than 18 years as a group, Perla Williams, Instructor, and Makua Hula Hawaiian Dancers brought Hawaii to Sun Lakes in the presentation of their very first show on Sun., June 30. "Aloha from the Islands" opened at the Main Clubhouse with guests being welcomed into the Ballroom with floral leis. Over 200 tickets were sold! Guest performers from Hawaii, Charles Mahi Kaimikaua, Jr., Master Ukulele and Black Key Artist, played while his beautiful daughter, Noilana, danced gracefully leaving the audience for more. Our Kumu, Iolana Kaimikaua, taught the original Hawaiian Dances of Kapua Carnation & Ka Ulowehi O Ke Kai. Our own Sun Lakes resident, Gaylord Spence sang Beyond The Reef, while Perla Williams accompanied him dancing beautifully to the song. The Makua Hula Dancers were ready to perform and did so with unique presentations of their dances with colorful, original Hawaiian costumes and authentic Hawaiian movements. Jeann Svarvar, instructor of the tap dancers, was invited to entertain us with Blue Suede Shoes. Both Jean and the late Jackie Battaglia always wanted to choreograph a dance number combining Tap and Hawaiian. Jeann collaborated with Perla adding their Puili's, Hawaiian Instrument, for a resounding dance. The show was a tribute in Memory of Jackie Battaglia, Makua Hula's Instructor, and past resident of Sun Lakes. At the end of the show the ladies danced to Jackie's creation of Wind Beneath My Wings and Prayer. Since 2009 Prayer has become Makua Hula's "signature dance". "Thank you, Jackie. What a great show! Makua Hula Back row: Barbara Finelly, Sussy Arzubiaga, Saveth Herness, Patricia Juarez, Kathy Reynolds, Martie Steggell, Lisa Chan, and Nora Huffman. Front row: Donna Kissling, Joan Lau, Perla Williams, Olga Marquette, Penny Skog, and Carol Spoelstra. Photo taken by Anita Lawrence.