‘Golden Couples’ Take a Bow for Their Tango Through Time

Several came to be honored. Some came to dance. Others came to sit. And everybody went for the marble cake.

“You have just witnessed the madness of serving dessert to seniors,” said West Hollywood Senior Center Activity Director Ron Celona, sidestepping the rush. “Everybody takes two and three pieces.”

The occasion Wednesday was Golden Couples Day, an afternoon tea dance for couples who have been together for at least 50 years. They don’t have to have been happy for five decades, but they have to be current citizens of West Hollywood.

Golden Couples Day is an annual West Hollywood event at which the city confers official Golden Couple certificates. And the buzz on it must be good because it draws a lively crowd.

Some--and they know who they are--nominate themselves. Sometimes they show up for the festivities and sometimes they don’t.

On this Golden Couples Day, nine of 19 were present in Plummer Park’s Fiesta Hall. Arm in arm, each approached the stage to receive the envelope from City Councilwoman Abbe Land.

Land managed to quiet an enthusiastic audience.

“Please do not talk. Please, no talking so that everyone can hear the names,” she said.

But the murmuring continued. Her admonition had to be translated into Russian. Then there was silence.

Elizabeth and Ioil Goldmints, 53 years. Peter and Anna Velkovich, 50 years. Semion and Rosa Shagall, 55 years. Bill and Violet White, 61 years. And one thoroughly modern couple, Yakov Yakhlis and Maria Golik, married 58 years ago and both kept their names.

“We love to celebrate long-term commitments,” Land said. “This is a chance for the city to recognize some of our citizens who have been together for a long time. I think 50 years is a wonderful achievement.”

Golden Couples Day is only one activity during the Senior Month of May. Last week residents were treated to a musical revue starring Lee Merriwether. Other events include readings from life histories, poetry writing classes, and legal workshops on wills and estate planning. The celebration culminates May 29 when West Hollywood participates in Senior Health and Fitness Day.

This year, several gay couples together for at least 50 years submitted forms for Golden Couples Day, but none attended.

“I think they chickened out at the last minute,” said Celona. “You can see why they might be a little intimidated.”

Land said, “They’re here in West Hollywood, gay couples together 50 years or more, and we keep trying to bring them out. Maybe next year. . . .”

For all couples who did come, Kenny Sheldon struck up “Pomp and Circumstance.” Each Golden Woman received a rose and each Golden Man a carnation. Photos were taken, marble cake was served, and the the dance floor was mobbed.

While moving cheek to cheek to a rumba in broad daylight may seem bizarre to some, these seniors citizens had donned their dancing duds. There were some mighty impressive comb-overs, too. The gents were in white pants, bolo ties and party shirts. The ladies wore frocks, perms and gold slingbacks. One especially spry fellow was festooned in paisley and Puka shells and changed partners every number.

“Beautiful, sure, this is very, very nice. Even though I don’t dance, I enjoy,” said Sophie Guralnick, 68. Married for 30 years, she is now a widow. She longed to dance, “but look. Lady, lady, lady. All women, no men. We need a matchmaker.”

Of all the honorees, only Yakov and Alla Faberov, 79 and 76 and married 50 years in April, danced while the trombonist played a favorite, “I Am in Love With You.”

“It was very beautiful, our wedding in Russia,” recalled Alla Faberov through an interpreter. “Oh, we danced and danced. To be married for so many years, you have to be flexible, have a good temper, and if you fight, don’t push too much. Let each one be and handle your problems quietly.”

On the dance floor, Yakov and Alla followed their own advice and let each other be.

Generally, there was good form on the floor--snappy moves, synchronized steps, a bit of shimmying, some shuffling. A few energetic couples couples cut a swath of twirls, dips and spins, and the overall performance begged the question: Just how well will the generation that grooved to drum solos or the one that’s moshing in the pits shake it up in their golden days?