HISTORY: The Boogie Woogie Mamas dance group was started in 1987 by Peggy Wallace Risley, mother of Joyce Pearson, the current director. Peggy’s objective was for dancers 50 and older to have fun, keep active, and mature with grace and dignity. The name as well as the group’s logo is registered in the Library of Congress. The group has grown to 35-40 performance dancers. The women enroll in classes at Caravan Dance Studio in Palmdale.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The Boogie Woogie Mamas perform locally for health care facilities, veterans, the High Desert Senior Expo, the Poppy Festival, etc. The The Boogie Woogie Mamas received the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors "Special Recognition Award for Civic and Community Service".
PERSONAL NOTES: A variety of tap and lyrical dances, choreographed to songs from Broadway musicals (such as "A Chorus Line", "Chicago", "Menopause", etc.) are performed by these dancers.
Bill Warford of the Antelope Valley Press recently wrote: “The Boogie Woogie Mamas are another wonderful American phenomenon the terrorists could never understand...” and they just keep dancing!
Director, Instructor, Choreographer: Joyce Pearson
Publicity Director: Barbara Adolph
