Army of Sass Presents Snow White at the TBCA in March

A group of sassy seniors will strut their stuff in an upcoming local production. At the average age of 70, the women have been practicing since December, to perform in Army of Sass Thunder Bay’s

Sassy Seniors – Army of Sass Thunder Bay

most recent production, Snow White. Joining 25 other women who make up the Army of Sass Thunder Bay troop, the show will take place on March 6, at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Seventy-two-year-old Ulla Ahokas has been a part of the seniors group since Army of Sass launched in the city. Ahokas explains that she never had a chance to dance as a child and it was always something she wanted to do. “Once I retired I promised myself I would try and I did! It’s a great way to express yourself, along with good exercise for your body and your brain. Dance gives you positive energy, is an escape from your daily life, and also helps you focus on the present. Army of Sass is not only a positive place for women to come together and dance but through our performance events, I am able to volunteer for a worthy cause which is also very important to me.”

Army of Sass Thunder Bay believes in supporting the community and giving back whenever possible. Funding raised from Snow White will benefit the Northern Cancer Foundation and Heather Appell, who is a former dancer currently battling brain cancer. “This show goes to a really special cause for us. The women that participate in Army of Sass Thunder Bay’s workshops, dance classes and shows come from all walks of life and we are all very supportive of one another. It is important for us to give back and support our community whenever possible,” says Sergeant of Sass, Stephanie DePiero.

Army of Sass is a heels dance performance and training program in Canada for women of all levels from beginner to professional. It provides participants a chance to gain confidence and physical strength while working on improving dance skills. “People don’t often think of dance as a form of exercise but it’s actually a great workout and a fun way to stay healthy at the same time,” says DePiero. “It’s so inspiring to watch our sassy seniors learn a new routine. They have so much energy and you can see just how much they enjoy themselves. Where else will you get to watch a group of 70-year-old ladies busting a move to Bruno Mars!?”

“I loved to dance in my youth. As the years went by I always felt like something was missing. I discovered (almost 30 years later) that ‘something’ was dance. It provides benefits both physically and mentally, especially in helping to keep your brain function sharp,” says 70-year-old, Mary McVicar. “We also are able to show the audience that you CAN dance at any age! We are up there with the 20-, 30- and 40-year-olds and we are just as entertaining. I truly hope the show gives those in the audience the encouragement that dance can still be a part of their life no matter what their age. ”

Tickets for the Army of Sass Thunder Bay production of Snow White are available at tbca.com.