Residents of the New Jewish Home on the Upper West Side traded their daily routines for corsages, dance floors, and retro tunes during a special ’80s-themed senior prom hosted by the community service organization New York Cares. Known for capturing the eclectic style and vibrant personalities of New Yorkers, the publication’s signature feature recently turned its lens toward the residential care facility, where seniors gathered to celebrate, share memories, and reflect on a lifetime of experiences.
For the residents of the facility, the evening offered more than just an excuse to dress up; it served as a lively bridge between past decades and the present moment. Among the attendees was Alva Kaalund, a retired actress and literacy-program manager whose creative career spanned some of New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions. Refiecting on her relationship with proms, Kaalund recalled her own high school experience with a mix of lingering amusement and nostalgia.
"Yes, my first boyfriend left me high and dry just before it, and another guy took me," Kaalund recalled, noting that the memory still brings a bit of embarrassment, though her parents ultimately had to intervene and ask the young man’s parents to secure her a date.
That first prom took place at the historic Waldorf Astoria. Kaalund remembered everyone dressed in sophisticated attire while she wore a standout Cinderella gown. The night didn’t end in the ballroom; attendees later headed over to the legendary Copacabana nightclub, where iconic crooner Johnny Mathis was performing live.
Kaalund’s artistic background extends far beyond a high school dance. During her professional years, she performed theater at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the legendary Apollo Theater. She fondly recalled a unique show at the Apollo that featured an anthology of poetry. While the production included music and singing, the performers wore formal gowns and tuxedos while delivering what she described as militant poetry.
"People were surprised," Kaalund said, describing the moment the lights would go out and the heavy beats of African drums would echo through the hall.
The celebration captured a cross-section of New York lives, featuring portraits and conversations with numerous other residents who call the Upper West Side facility home. Mary Holmes, a retired secretary who spends her days participating in facility activities like bingo and Uno night, shared her enthusiasm for the community’s game nights. Though she admitted that a recently introduced new version of Uno still baffles her, her competitive spirit remains strong. "I won the first game on Tuesday," she noted proudly.
The soundtrack of the evening prompted memories for former restaurant workers like John Radice, a retired service industry worker who spent years helping his uncle run an Italian restaurant. Hearing Frank Sinatra playing over the speakers during the prom, Radice briefly paused to express his longing to return to the dance floor to fully absorb the classic record.
Alongside Kaalund, Holmes, and Radice, the event highlighted a diverse array of New Yorkers who lived through transformative eras of the city’s history. Among them were retired writer Lester Strong, retired homemakers Dana Robinson and Yuk Wong, and retired reporter Francisco Perez. The room also included retired paralegal Cecilia Ferreiro, former New York City Department of Transportation secretary Zulema Ferrer, retired factory worker Rosa Caro, retired salesperson Gloria Rozmus, and former New York State program manager Vera Olichney.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable perspectives of the evening came from Lilian Hall, a retired housekeeper who is preparing to celebrate a monumental milestone: her 103rd birthday in just a few weeks. Looking out at the modern world from the vantage point of a century lived, Hall shared her thoughts on the rapid pace of technological advancement, expressing a distinct wariness toward the rise of artificial intelligence.
"Everything is going to be automatic," Hall observed, reflecting on how automation might eventually bypass the need for human programming entirely. "It’s scary because during my time I remember the horse and buggy."
Through the lens of the evening’s festivities, the seniors at the New Jewish Home demonstrated that style, storytelling, and a love for a good dance floor do not fade with age. As the music played and the flashbulbs captured the evening, the event stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of New York City residents who have seen the city transform across generations.
