While temperatures continue to sizzle in Southern Arizona, theGreen Valley Aquabelles, Green Valley Recreation?s synchronizedswimmers group, has been making waves in the pool in preparationfor their upcoming annual show.
?Love is in the Air? is this year?s theme and the swimmerscouldn?t be more excited.
?It was a joint meeting of the minds to choose the theme,? saidlongtime Aquabelle member Sandy Lichtenberger. ?It?s a great themethat takes the audience to other places to find love around theworld ? like Paris, for example.?
Lichtenberger, who will serve as the show?s mistress ofceremonies, says the Aquabelles have been working ?extra hard? thissummer. Rehearsals started months ago in preparation for theSeptember water show at the East Center Pool where the show isstaged.
A total of 13 women will be swimming in this year?s Aquabelleshow and for the first time in the club?s history a non-GVR memberis participating.
The Aquabelles requested permission from GVR to use a non-memberand were granted approval so Janice Agner from Quail Creek Resortis swimming this year. other GVR clubs have had to recruit outside,especially performance groups such as the Valley Players who useoutside actors when they can not fill dramatic roles from itsmembership.
??We have had members with surgeries who can no longer swim,?Lichtenberger said. ?The big reason also comes down to commitment.Practice several times a week is sometimes too much for somepeople. but those of us who do it, love it.?
A long history
Come rain or shine the Aquabelles have taken to the waterputting on a show and wowing onlookers for 46 years.
The Aquabelles started out in the ?60s as a ?learn to swim?recreational swim group that included men. after a summer of poolpractice where they perfected their swim routines, the group wouldpresent a free swim exhibition for friends and family. the women inAquabelles love to entertain Green Valley and the swim classes ranwith the idea. the men soon left the water and supported them fromthe deck.
Synchronized swimming, also known as pattern swimming or waterballet, was recognized as an Olympic sport in 1984. it mixesswimming with ballet and gymnastics, and includes diving, stunts,lifts and plenty of endurance.
The Aquabelles wear costumes and decorative bathing suits,adding a little ?glamor and glitz.? Each costume is selected toenhance the musical number accompanying the swim show routine.Aquabelle audiences are treated to not only stunning and colorfulbasic costumes, but also embellished ensembles with sequins,feathers, beads, bows and lace.
Music is what makes the routine and this year?s show featureslove songs like ?Love will keep Us Together,? recorded in 1975 byCaptain and Tenille; ?I love You a Bushel and a Peck,? from themusical ?Guys and Dolls,? and ?I Just called to Say I love You,?made famous by Stevie wonder. Underwater speakers allow theswimmers to hear the music below the surface.
There?s more
Adding to this year?s entertainment is a special on deck dancingtreat by the Desert Stars with dancers Kathy Watson, Jill Drydenand Suzette Goebel stepping out to ?It?s all in the Jeans.?
The Aqauabelles don?t want to give away any surprises, but thereis also a number in the lineup by the AquaBeaus. You have to cometo the show to see it.
?Love is in the Air? highlights the talents of several directorsand production team members. the show?s director is Karen Kolze,assisted by Mary Zellner. Swim coach is Yvonne Gallagher, 83, theAquabelle?s longest serving member who joined the team back in 1986and has recruited many new swimmers throughout the years. JanetDenton, another longtime member, was there to lend a hand.
Newcomer Cindy Salmon is in charge of the music and Mark Haskoelends his skills as the groups? photographer and videographer. JaneBrunckhorst was responsible for the script.
Stars of the show, including some who are directing numbers andnot swimming, are: Sandy Lichtenberger, Jan Haskoe, Betsy Lloyd,Gail Haight, Beryl Sumner, Janice Agner, Judy Case, JoyceFinkelstein, Jan McGuire, Judi Quinn, Karen Siefert, Karen Kolze,Carol Wilhelms, Donna Cornejo, Bonnie Fleming, Mary Zellner, YvonneGallagher and Sandy Parker.
Aquabelles special guests include Linda Freeman and Les Walterswho will perform a couple numbers including ?Rubber Ducky.?
Thanks as well to John Agner, Jack Bobst, David Coffman, JackCerasualo, Joe Smith and Ralph Stachowiak.
If you go
The Aquabelles present ?Love is in the Air? at 5 p.m. Sept. 16,17, 18, at East Center pool, 7 Abrego Drive. Free admission,donations welcome.?
Sponsored by Green Valley Recreation, ?Love is in the Air?features nine water routines, including the ?God Bless the USA?finale featuring the entire team.
? 2011 Green Valley News. all rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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