Salem County Arts Alliance 

How the Stompin’ Grannies got their start…

The idea for the “Grannies” was conceived by Roxanna Hurst in August of 2000 as a skit for the Fox Tale Follies, a variety show produced by the Salem County Arts Alliance in Carneys Point, New Jersey.  Since then, the “Grannies” have been invited to perform for various organizations and parades, the Cancer Care Connection’s “Circulus” at the Playhouse in Hotel DuPont, and the University of Delaware’s 'Y Chromes’ (an all male chorus) 2002 Fall Concert. They were also filmed for a segment of NJN TV’s “Classroom Closeup”, and are often the closing act for the “Follies”. 

The Grannies were not dancers, they were not singers, they didn't require accompaniment, and no one seems to know quite what they were.  The “Grannies” were sort of a parody of “Stomp”, (a group originally from Great Britain and now performing in the United States). The Grannies use their feet and a variety of common objects to create rhythms.  Brooms, trash cans, kitchen utensils, bedpans, pill bottles, walkers, and more.  The most important thing was that they have a great deal of fun and prove that you are never too old to kick up your heels and laugh at yourself.  They hope the audienced had as much fun as they did. 

All are grandmothers and their ages range from 59 to 87.  The Grannies are:  Roxanna Hurst, retired Art educator, Rae Svecz, retired Gifted and Talented teacher, Lucille Pote, retired school nurse, Tanya Lazar, a former managing editor for Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, a Philadelphia Publishing Company now a free-lance editor, actress and director. Joan Kates, a retired public school educator-artist,  Peggy Thomas, a retired school psychologist and Karen Jessee, a retired English teacher who is now the owner of her own organizing business, Simply Organized and our most recent granny. 

The Grannies performed all over the Delaware Valley for children to senior citizens.  Performing in schools, for organizations, in nursing homes and for private parties.   All the fees earned were donated to the Arts Alliance to support the Teen Arts Program.   The Grannies were together since 2000 - longer than some rock bands.  The Grannies are still rocking today, not in chairs but as close friends in a very special sisterhood.