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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg thrift stores deluged with trash ... Rogue Valley residents inspired by Pope Francis' speech ... Brush with Kindness ... Roseburg thrift stores deluged with trash ... Rogue Valley residents inspired by Pope Francis' speech ... Brush with Kindness ... ON STAGE TODAY Sunday's Silver Stars Competition showcases talent from retirement communities Inaugural competition showcases talent from local retirement communities Comment By Buffy Pollock Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 9:21 AM By Buffy Pollock Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 9:21 AM » Social News They may have white hair, but none of the eight dancers in Rogue Valley Manor's "White Hairs With Walkers" needs mobility assistance. The walkers are just part of the Silver Rockettes' act, one of about 10 from local retirement communities vying in Craterian Performances' first Rogue Valley Silver Stars Competition, which begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Craterian theater, 23 S. Central Ave., Medford. "We all stepped outside our level of comfort to try something new and it's just been a lot of fun," says Jeannette Bournival, a line dance instructor at the Manor who choreographed the routine for her students. "I can't wait to watch the other groups and see what they came up with." The acts will range from Bournival's group and ukulele ensembles to opera singers and a spirited gospel choir. Participating communities include the Manor, Fountain Plaza and Horton Plaza in Medford, Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, Donald E. Lewis in Ashland, Twin Creeks in Central Point and Countryside Village in Grants Pass. Bournival said she was excited to size up the competition and network with other local performers. Her group competed against a dozen other acts at the Manor to land one of three preliminary spots in the final showdown. "I teach line dancing here at the Manor and at the Medford Senior Center. When we heard about this Silver Star competition, our recreation guy contacted me and said, 'We really think the line dancers should do something,'" Bournival said. Six gals and two guys, ranging in age from 71-90, enjoyed the departure from their usual dance routines, she said. Audience members will be guaranteed variety, said Horton Plaza resident Cathie Crandall. Having discovered the ukulele in her time living at Horton Plaza, Crandall said she and a group of friends from both Horton and Fountain plazas couldn't pass up a chance to serenade Sunday's audience with a trio of tunes. "We've been practicing for two to three weeks to get the songs down. It's been a lot of fun just getting ready," Crandall said. "It's not something too serious. It's meant to be fun, so we're game to make fools of ourselves — we're actually beyond that point. It would be fun to win, but there's a lot of competition, so we just have a good time with it." Lindsay Darneille, event emcee and retired house boss for the Craterian, said she looked forward to seeing the event continue and grow. "There are so many things in this valley designed for kids or young people to showcase their talent and we've got this huge retirement population. They're super-talented and they don't get a chance to perform as much as they should," Darneille said. Judges are Rogue River's Burt Eikleberry, a retired high school drama and English teacher, actor and tap dancer; Tomaseen Foley, Irish storyteller from Ashland and creator of "A Celtic Christmas"; and Ashland actor and singer Tamara Marston. Judges will select a winner and audience members will vote for “People’s Choice.” "I think it just goes to show that you're never too old to learn, so in that way everyone wins," said Crandall, 91. "You're only here once, so you might as well enjoy it. What else have you got?" Tickets are $20. For more information, visit www.craterian.org/event/rogue-valleysilver-stars/ . Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 9:21 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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