Meet the Old Men Dancing group taking to the stage in Byron Bay

MULLUMBIMBY dance group Old Men Dancing is gearing up to share the stage with much-loved local comedian Mandy Nolan at the Tonight Show-style Byron Live event next month.

The group will open the night with a two-minute routine set to the David Bowie and Queen classic Under Pressure, performed by a swinging hot show band.

Formed in 2019, the six-member ensemble rehearses weekly at the Drill Hall Theatre under the guidance of facilitator and choreographer Kimberley McIntyre. Mostly in their mid-70s – with one member aged 80 – the group includes a retired school principal, lawyer and councillor.

Over the years they have taken to the stage with routines set to 74 Years Young by Buddy Guy, Electric Feel by Tash Sultana and Feeling Good by Jamiroquai.

McIntyre said regular dancing helps the men maintain flexibility and balance, with a lot of improvisation incorporated into their performances.

“It’s been really fun,” she said. “There’s satisfaction for me in seeing them improving and dancing gracefully.”

Dale Emerson famously lied about his age to join the group when he was just 67 in 2019. “Usually you have to be a bit older,” he said.

He said keeping active has become increasingly important as he ages, and he enjoys the camaraderie the group provides.

“It’s a bit of a men’s shed sort of thing,” he said. “As you get older you could get into a bit of decrepitude and ‘poor me, poor me’. This helps with that a little bit. It keeps the endorphins flowing. It’s not really dancing – it’s just blokes out there trying to get a bit of rhythm.”

Byron Live will take the form of a faux studio-style, face-to-face chat show, with Nolan interviewing a lineup of local personalities including actress and activist Madeleine West, satirical pop-hop duo Versace Boys, singer-songwriter Gyan, former The Ragadolls singer Jimmy Willing and surf legend Rusty Miller.

Byron Live is at Byron Theatre at 7pm on March 21.

For more information and tickets, visit byroncentre.com.au