On Thursday, the vibrant voices of senior citizens from across the five boroughs filled the air during the city’s third annual Talent Is Timeless competition.
Competitors aged between their 60s and 90s showcased their talents at the iconic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, having triumphed through previous elimination rounds held at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Department of Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez shared with The Post, “These individuals helped shape this city, and now they have the chance to entertain it,” noting that the inspiration for the contest originated from Mayor Eric Adams after a senior pickleball tournament.
This event is part of a broader city initiative aimed at dismantling stereotypes regarding older residents, according to officials.
“It’s essential to maintain and celebrate your abilities,” Cortés-Vázquez mentioned.
The lively variety show featured a mix of genres and art forms, with New Yorkers of advanced age presenting talents through folk music, sea shanties, Spanish ballads, and even belly dancing.
Out of nearly 800 individual performances and groups from over 300 senior centers, only 22 acts made it to the grand finale on Thursday.
Taking home the first-place title was 91-year-old Thelma Ruffin Thomas, a retired librarian who shared “Thelma’s Rap,” a poem reflecting on centuries of black history intertwined with her family’s narrative.
Residing in Chelsea, she has also recently competed at the national finals for swimming backstroke among participants over 90.
Staten Island’s Gianvito Bottalico, 77, captivated the audience with “That’s Amore,” while juggling handmade props, including a spinning pizza.
The Italian-born performer, who relocated to Staten Island five years ago after moving from Brooklyn at 19, described the classic 1953 tune, popularized by Dean Martin, as universally appealing.
“The song embraces everyone. It’s easy to grasp; it’s about love and innocence—expressing affection for a girl, for the world, and for friendship,” he explained.
John Baxter, 88, presented an original folk song entitled “Patricia,” dedicated to his first love during his youth, while Brooklyn’s Andrea Levitt expressed her passion for the stage with “Broadway Baby.”
Levitt, 83, a cabaret singer known for her performances at places like Hell’s Kitchen’s “Don’t Tell Mama,” attributes her youthful spirit to a joyful life surrounded by family and friends, which includes actor Paul Giamatti, who came to cheer her on.
“Sharing joy through singing can be incredibly rewarding,” Levitt remarked.
Additional winners included the KCS Senior Dance Team from the Korean-American Flushing Older Adult Center, which earned the best group award.
Amanda Rodriguez from Manhattan secured third place with her dance to “La Negra,” while Bronx local Barbara Gray, 70, clinched both second place and the audience favorite title for her rendition of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.”
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“As soon as I stepped off the stage, the applause was overwhelming; it was such an adrenaline rush,” remarked Gray, of Riverdale. “I love that this is specifically for seniors.”
“Shows like American Idol don’t cater to those of us over 28,” she continued. “We may be older, but we’ve still got plenty of talent.”
