Washington Wizdom Dance Group Performs for Basketball Fans Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
Meet Wizdom Washington Wizards Newest Dancers
Age 50 group entertains fans during NBA games
Wizdom dancers rock the arena. AARP On the court at halftime during a recent Washington Wizards home game, a group of dancers ages 50 to 76, all smiles and decked out in red jackets with sparkly blue sleeves, rocked their short-but-rollicking routine. The crowd cheered, watching the larger-than-life performance on the Jumbotron above the court. They are Wizdom , a new troupe of older dancers sponsored by AARP who perform during the NBA team’s games about once a month. It’s a high-energy, entertaining performance. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. “I think it inspires other older people,” says LaVeta, 55, after the December performance, her eyes still sparkling with glittery blue eye shadow (team policy is to refer to dancers by first names only). “I heard somebody say, ‘Man you guys really make me want to go to the gym.’” The team was the brainchild of Wizards Dance Team choreographer Derric Whitfield, 36, who had coached the Space City Seniors dance team for the Houston Rockets — one of several NBA teams with 50-plus dance troupes, including the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors. The Space City Seniors were (and still are) a hit with fans, and Whitfield had long been eager to start a similar dance team for the Wizards. He finally got the green light last fall, and held an open casting call that drew around 55 women and one man from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Now the team includes 19 women and that one man: Chris, a 53-year-old teacher. “That man can dance his behind off,” says Whitfield. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Nana’s best buddy on Wizdom is Wanda, 65, a retired sign language interpreter with short gray hair and an easy smile. She may be the most enthusiastic dancer on the team, despite her fibromyalgia and plantar fasciitis, among other health issues. “I wake up in pain and go to bed in pain,” she says. “But for two to three hours [during practice] I am having the best time. It's a joy. You’ve got a bunch of old women twerking!” They practice once a week — officially, but the dancers often get together at each other’s homes for extra practices. Though the performances are only a minute to 90 seconds long, they need to learn a new routine for each of the six or seven games they’ll appear at throughout the season. The attention the team has received, including performing for local TV news and receiving a shout-out from Ellen DeGeneres on her national talk show, has been a blast, says LaVeta. “I now know what the Kardashians feel like.” More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS