by
BGLH
Alice Barker recently celebrated her 102nd birthday and received one heck of a gift. Barker was a chorus dancer during the Harlem Renaissance and shared the stage with notable talents such as Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
As Barker performed in a plethora commercials and films, much of her photographs and memorabilia became lost over the years. So it was a pleasant surprise when Jazz on Film’s Mark Cantor and David Shuff presented the retired dancer several videos of her performances.
Watch the touching video below:
After watching the video, Barker was asked “How does it feel seeing yourself?” to which she replied
“Making me wish I could get out this bed and do it all over again.”
That’s the spirit Ms. Barker!
What do you think of the video? Have you uncovered any nostalgic gems from elders in your family?
4 Responses
aww this was soo sweet!!
I watched this on someone’s page on FaceBook yesterday and LOVED IT!!! The look on of happiness on her face: PRICELESS!!! Brought tears to my eyes to see her so happy!
That was FANTASTIC! She had some legs on her! Absolutely amazing that they were able to show her that. 102 years old! I need to go to my nearest dance studio now.
Talk about living a full life, and seemingly a blessed one. Yet this clip also brings up mortality questions for me. Ive always thought I wanted to live a super long life but looking at Ms. Barker in this vid makes me question that; the longing in her eyes for those times not just what she says. I wish I could grant that for her. No one should ever have to get that point where they cant do what they love..or die for that matter. I know its inevitable (until the good Lord comes back to take us home) but still it makes me so sad. Im sick of loved ones dying, sick of seeing people hurting because of losing loved ones. Sick of loved ones getting old to the point of not doing what they love and others treating them like they dont matter anymore or that their life didnt mean something no matter what it was they did. I apologize for the soapbox. Im pretty sensitive. And something like this hits a little too close to home with all thats going on recently.