Line dancers from around the state will get to show off their skills Friday in Hilo.
Hawaii County Elderly Recreation Services is hosting this year’s line dancing roundup for 11 kupuna dance groups from the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Oahu.
This will be the first roundup since the onset of COVID-19, with the last one taking place in Kauai in 2019.
“There are an extraordinary amount of line dancers from around the island and around the state,” said ERS Program Director Cher Koizumi. “There are senior clubs and classes on each island, and so many people know each other. We decided to have the roundup rotate island hosts each year, which has been going on for at least seven years now.”
The roundup will feature choreographed performances from all the clubs and classes, which will include fun costumes and interactive moments.
At least 185 seniors will be participating in the roundup, and they have been practicing dances to do as individual groups and together.
“I think line dancing is so great for seniors because they can get passionate about it while not overexerting themselves,” Koizumi said. “Country music is fun, and the type of dancing it entails is perfect for older people.”
The members of the public who attend the roundup will be encouraged to dance along with seniors during a couple of the performances.
“Honestly, line dancing is just a fun time, and that’s the biggest thing for seniors,” Koizumi said. “It isn’t taken seriously, and it really improves the health of so many who do it for years.”
“So, if people want to dance, please come to the roundup. It’ll be an amazing time to get on the floor and have fun together,” Koizumi added.
The roundup will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run through 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
