An Active Adult Community

DANCING GRANNIES

The Dancing Grannies started in 1985 as an exercise class under the leadership of Beverly Gemigniani.  Beverly believed that as we grow older and the years mount up, we tell ourselves that age is just a number, but our bodies are telling us something else.  It was on this premise that the Dancing Grannies were born; to introduce an exercise program that seniors could incorporate into their lifestyle and receive benefits physically and mentally as well.

After realizing the benefits received, the Dancing Grannies performed in this community and then continued to make the program public as our ladies realized the importance of keeping the body toned to enjoy a more active, healthy aging process.

The Dancing Grannies started doing parades then developed a core group of ten women who traveled throughout the states performing exercise dance routines showing the public that “age is just a number” and the body can keep up.  A parade group of 24 women was organized which included the core group.  The Dancing Grannies best known performances were:

Fiesta Bowl Parade, Phoenix  - 1986
The Gilbert Parade – 1987
Senior Olympics 1988, 1989, 1990
The Phil Donahue Show – 1989
Idea Educational Conference (Association of Fitness Professionals) – 1989
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade- 1990
Today Show with Joe Garigiola – 1991
The Great American Workout (Presidential Fitness Program at the White House with Present George Bush – 1992
Several Exercise videos were made and sold across the U.S. – 1989 – 1990
A Dancing Granny Calendar was made - 1992

*Cottonwood Palo Verde at Sun Lakes is an age 55 and older housing community in accordance with the Arizona and Federal Fair Housing Acts.