Peabody seniors 'dance with the stars'

Barbara Sullivan, left, and John Wroblewski dance to "Let's Go to the Hop"

They danced tangos, they danced waltzes, they even dipped into tai chi and do-wop.

Residents at Brooksby Village Retirement Living got their groove on in front of an audience yesterday for the third edition of "Dancing with the Brooksby Stars."

Lisa Kirshon, a fitness specialist at Brooksby came up with the idea three years ago when she brought a boombox into the gym and played music by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as residents excercised.

"The residents were going, 'I like this music,'" Kirshon said. "They started dancing a little."

That scene and the ABC reality show "Dancing with the Stars" gave Kirshon the idea to host a dancing show featuring residents.

Tickets to the event are sold for $5 a piece, Kirshon said, and all proceeds go to the Benevolent Care Fund, which provides financial aid to seniors in need.

"Dancing with the Brooksby Stars" became an annual event after the success of the first year, which was attended by about 300 people, Kirshon said.

"There's a certain energy that is sparked when the music starts playing," Kirshon said. "People walk away lighthearted and reminiscing about those good times."

16 dancers performed in front of an audience of about 100 at 1 p.m. yesterday.

Barbara Sullivan, a resident who danced to the Danny and the Juniors' classic "Let's Go to the Hop," said she used to dance to early rock and roll in her youth.

"I love dancing," she said.

She and her dance partner, John Wroblewski, who donned a black wig in the style of Fonzie from "Happy Days," had never danced at the event.

After the dancers took their bows, Wroblewski said he may perform next year.

"They didn't throw stones at me, so that's a sign they may welcome me back next year," Wroblewski said, still wearing his wig.