Carol Oakley performs during "Spice o Life." Photo by Michelle Chance

By Michelle Chance

Over a dozen performers took the stage during the Spice of Life Senior Variety Show Saturday night at the Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center.

Sponsor and coordinator Helen Brown said she was “blown away” by the talent she saw three years ago when she first attended the variety show in Chandler. From that moment on, Brown said she immediately asked to have the show in Maricopa.

Brown, with help from the Age-Friendly Maricopa Advisory Committee, hopes to have the show back in the future.

“Everyone seems to enjoy it so we probably will bring it back,” Brown said, adding, “The performers really love our stage, so they would love to come back.”

The wide variety of performers ranged from cloggers, singers and dancers. One singer, Mary Poindexter, has been a part of the variety show for 13 years, said the show’s host, Rosemary Morton.

However, it was the first Spice of Life variety show performance for local talent, Charles Linn. “This year we have a new performer from Maricopa,” Brown said. “He is an illusionist.”

Linn entertained the crowd with card tricks and humor, which produced hearty laughs from the audience after each punchline.

Brown said among her favorites is Jesse Washington, a singer with a powerful operatic voice. Overall, Brown said “I like everyone, they did a magnificent job.”