Making merry on the dance floor
Merry Makers Peta (left) and Moni Aiken in Brisbane.Dancing to Love is in the air in front of John Paul Young would be challenging for the best of us. But for the 70 movers and shakers who are the Merry Makers, it was a triumph.
The act has moved into the spotlight supported by celebrities from Australian rock history including Doug Parkinson, Grace Knight and Marcia Hines among countless others. The group is now featured in a documentary by Merry Makers' publicist and producer Anne Kenyon, The Music In Me.
Selected for the Avignon Film Festival in France where the Merry Makers will travel this year, the film was produced with the hope of being shown in schools across Australia to educate youth about the abilities of people with a disability.
"Being part of Merry Makers brings the best out in me," says member Moni Aiken who, like many in the group, has Down syndrome. "And when I perform, I give people love and a lot of laughter."
The act is fuelled by feel-good music, exciting dance steps, vibrant costumes, audience interaction and star appearances. Seventies pop star and current member of legendary rock band, Dragon, Mark Williams, performed with the Merry Makers at Brisbane City Hall in April. Having long-time supporter and creative inspiration John Paul Young in the audience gave the performance extra poignancy.
"Each major show that we do includes an entire new dance routine, new songs, new moves - a lot of pressure," says Peta Aiken, a helper in the group for the past 17 years, who first became involved to support her sister Moni.
"I got into it straight away because I love performing," says Moni. "I'm very lucky. I have my sister with me, although she makes some mistakes," she chides.
Commitment to Saturday practice is a must for all group members and to not turn up is to let everyone down. "I have a very stressful job in commercial real estate and could easily tell myself that I don't have the time, but when I turn up to Merry Makers people hug you and make you feel great. They'll also tell you if you look fat, or if you look sexy. There's a lot of honesty in the community," says Peta.
Kate Simmons is not as extroverted as others in the group, but looks forward to seeing the usual faces at Saturday practice where she has made good friends.
"She's a lot more confident as a result of Merry Makers," says her mum Maree. "She packs her bag, gets her outfit on and is ready to go."
Artistic director, Lucinda Bryant, has not missed a class since she first got involved in 1989. She teaches the group techniques developed by Rosemary Marriott, who founded Merry Makers in 1978. These include different coloured wrist bands to indicate left and right and tapping in the dance routine to help with coordination. But according to Moni, "Mark Williams is the best dancer".
Last updated November 2007