Dear Reader, 

At six-years old, his legs started their path of a lifelong dream. Osvaldo Gomez was living in his home country of Cuba. From birth, he had trouble with his knees; his feet turned outward. It was recommended that he take ballet. This form of physical therapy was a way to learn and practice repositioning his legs.  But Osvaldo said, “I fell in love with dance.” It wasn’t just learning new body mechanics. “It became the calling of my life”. In those early years, he was also recognized for his singing ability. This alto singer, even as early as Kindergarten, was most often chosen to perform solos. He would sing children’s melodies and Cuban folk songs. Reader, do you have a skill or talent that you carried with you from childhood?

As a young boy, he was teased by some of his family members and friends. “Some relatives stopped speaking to me because they were upset that I wanted to dance,” he said. By contrast, Osvaldo knew that he had to listen to his heart. At a young age, he attended music school. He graduated from the National Art College of Cuba proficient in ballet, modern dance and international folklore dancing. Have you ever gone against the grain of loved ones to pursue what you knew was right for you?

In his young adult years, he built a fan-base as a professional dancer and singer. He performed at the Tropicana Club, a nightclub in Havana, Cuba. Osvaldo humbly said of his popularity in those years, “Fame always finds me. I don’t always like it, but fame finds me.” During those years, he was also competing in dance. It was 1976, Osvaldo was in his early twenties, and he landed in America for dance nationals. “I loved America and stayed,” he said. 

He danced throughout the United States and found his way to Laquan Beach, California. For four years, he danced professionally with the Ballet Specific Company. Then, it was time for a move again. One of his friends had moved to Colorado. In 1995, Osvaldo came for a visit, and he said, “I liked it and stayed”. Shortly after arriving here, he started dancing with a modern dance troupe in Denver – The Cleo Barker Robinson dance troupe. For ten years he danced with the ensemble. It is the “best modern dance troupe in the world, and it’s based in Colorado”, Osvaldo said with honor. 

Even after Osvaldo reached retirement years, he continued to dance. He performed dances from many different Latino countries with the Ballet Folklore of Colorado in Denver. He represented the varied dance traditions, especially his homeland of Cuba. He danced in different Latino festivals. He was invited to perform at the Denver Museum, and he traveled the world exhibiting the traditional Cuban dances. 

Then, a Longmont city employee, Sylvia Reynozo, sought Osvaldo to convince him to bring his talents to Longmont. She wanted to contract him to create a dance troupe for the city. So Osvaldo agreed, and volunteered to teach the first troupe of Latino folklore dancing in Longmont. The participants represented dances from many different Latino countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Columbia. The group was originally called Mestizo. Now, the name has changed to Sabor de America. Osvaldo instructs many different ages from young children to senior citizens and all ages in between. As well, Osvaldo is still one of the dancers. The dance troupe travels all over Colorado to festivals and special events. 

Longmont became Osvaldo’s home in 2004. He immediately became involved in activities at the Longmont Senior center “I volunteered for lots of things,” he said. There was a Spanish choral group at the center; in 2011 a position opened, and Osvaldo was asked to be the director of the group. Veronica Garcia, Senior Resource Specialist for the Senior Center said, “He is an amazing individual. He is very talented and has a generous heart. I have seen him become a wonderful ambassador for older adults. He encourages Latino older adults to participate, not only with Senior Center, but also with the community. I’m very grateful that he is part of the work we do,” she said. How do you participate with your community, Reader?

For the past seven years, now at age 69, Osvaldo continues to direct the Latino Choral Group called Coro of the Senior Center; Coro is Spanish for Chorus. The group sings romantic songs, as well as a variety of folklore songs from different Latino countries. Osvaldo’s favorite song is a love song “Mi forma de Sentir”. In English, the title is “The Way I Feel Things”. If you have never heard this before, I recommend you Google the song. Written with moving and beautiful words, whenever Osvaldo sings it, he dedicates it to his wife of ten years – Rita Terrazas Gomez. He met Rita in his church where he sings in his church choir. Here is the chorus to “Mi forma de Sentir”.

Only you, Only you know

The way I feel things, the way I laugh

And even the way I cry

Only you know where I am heading to

Only you know very well who I am

Osvaldo was a very busy volunteer. Before COVID – 19, he directed the Longmont Senior Center Latino Chorus every Monday afternoon, and the group would perform at nursing homes monthly. As well, he instructed a monthly Zumba class at a senior facility. Zumba is a fast, high energy way of incorporating exercise and dancing. He liked to get everyone involved and having fun, he said. “I even have people dancing from their wheelchairs”. If you like nightlife entertainment, Osvaldo would also perform with his dances every Monday night at 3 Margaritas in Longmont. Osvaldo said that he enjoys his life of dancing and music very much, “I live every single day, not for tomorrow, just for today”.  What sparks you, Reader? What is your purpose?

While Osvaldo’s native language is Spanish and mine is English, we were able to somewhat understand each other throughout our conversations. However, I need to give a huge “Thank You” to Monica Bautista – you met her before in the December 2018 blog. She is the Office Assistant for Community Services at the Longmont Senior Center. She extended her skill of being bilingual – Spanish and English. As Osvaldo and I communicated, he often spoke his native tongue and Monica would translate. I cannot stress the importance of engaging to understand a person. The nuances and definitions may have taken on a different meaning if I had not taken the time to understand through the eyes and language of Osvaldo. I love what author, Mark Twain, says, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is really a large matter — it’s the difference between lightning and a lightning bug”. 

Osvaldo is a dancer, a singer and one who represents the musical world, not just for seniors, now in his retirement years. He represents someone who loves and is passionate about music. He creates a moving art form that he shares with the world. It is something we can all seek to understand. 

Last month, you were introduced to The Living Waters of God – the dance team that used Hulu dance to tell their stories about God. The blog was enjoyed by many, including: Betsy, Vernie, Jan, and Sally gave it a big “Yahoo”! As well, some of the readers started looking on YouTube. So, hint, hint, ladies, I think you may have a following if you are able to get some videos of your dances online. 

Diane: I thought maybe I could look for them on YouTube and see them dance but I was not able to find them. 

Linda: Would love to see a video clip of these awesome women

Maria: I would love to see the dance group perform! I checked YouTube however I didn’t find them. Keep up the interesting writing! A great way for Christians to share their faith!

Susana: I was profoundly moved by “The Living Waters of God”, such a beautiful way to worship God with your whole being: soul, heart and body. The image that came to me while reading your blog was the one of a sacred circle of compassion.

Barb: Love the blog about the hula group, Debbie! I like that you’re not just covering individuals, but also organizations (Cultivate) and groups (hula). But at the same time, you focus on individual stories–which is what we’re all most interested in!  Great variety and information about the community! I have seen the hula group perform, as well, and it is a unique and interesting style of dance and very meaningful, both to the performers and to the audience. I enjoyed learning more about the group!

 

Until next month, may peace be at your side,

Debbie Noel

We have several ways to interact with Debbie!

• Email her at DroppingInWithDebbie@gmail.com

• Register at the blog site (very bottom of the page) to have your comments viewed online

• Send your letters to:

Debbie Noel
C/o Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501

 

Where to see and hear Osvaldo Gomez perform:

Before the pandemic he was often invited to perform at community events. At the time of the writing of this blog, he, was with the Latino Choral Group, called Coro of the Senior Center where he performed at the El Comite’s Open House for their 39th anniversary, 455 Kimbark in Longmont. 

*He also used to oversee the practice sessions of the Senior Center Latino Choir practices. Visitors had been welcomed to visit and enjoy the music. On the first Monday of each month, the group would perform at different nursing homes in Longmont. Qualifications were not needed; interested singers could drop in at the Senior Center on Mondays @1pm.

*Every Thursday, Osvaldo had been a Zumba instructor for residents at The Peak nursing home. 

*Every Monday night, Osvaldo would perform with singing and dancing at 3 Margaritas at 2350 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501

*We are all waiting for events and classes to open again. Watch your special events calendars for where to see Osvaldo’s Longmont dance troupe – Sabor de America or call him at 720-288-8070.