Encinitas follies bring smiles to seniors
North County Times – Escondido,CA,USA
ENCINITAS —- Amateur crooner John Allasio, 75, said he has always wanted
to be a singer, but he didn’t know that Sunday was going to be his big-room
debut …

ENCINITAS —- Amateur crooner John Allasio, 75, said he has always wanted to be a singer, but he didn’t know that Sunday was going to be his big-room debut.

During the ninth annual Encinitas Follies variety show at the historic La Paloma Theatre, Allasio was one of several members of the audience to step forward and sing a verse or two of the classic romantic ballad “It Had to be You” while accompanied by the musical trio Treja Vu.

Each was rewarded with applause and pats on the back from the predominantly senior crowd.

Asked during intermission what gave him the courage to stand up in front of more than 360 people, Allasio motioned toward his wife, Marge, 74, and smiled. “She nudged me a couple of times,” he said. “It didn’t take too many nudges.”

Sunday’s variety show raised a projected $10,000 to $12,000 through tickets and donations, said Dave Oakley, a founding member of the Encinitas Senior Foundation, which organizes the event.

Money raised from the follies will benefit the Encinitas Senior Center at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, said Oakley, who helped guests to their seats while wearing a Styrofoam hat and patriotic red-and-white striped coat.

Since its debut, the variety show has raised more than $80,000, he said.

More than 3,000 visitors per month stop by the senior center, which provides exercise classes, computer lessons and other services, according to its manager Christie Goodsell.

The six-member foundation helps purchase items that the city doesn’t supply, like an electronic piano, computers and a flat-screen television.

“The seniors love it,” Goodsell said of the vaudeville-style show. “It sells out every year.”

During Sunday’s show, Charlie Harp, a foundation member, filled in as master of ceremonies after the original host, Tom Morrow, was unable to participate because of illness.

“They asked if anybody had a tuxedo and I foolishly raised my hand,” Harp joked.

Treja Vu kicked off the event with a hard-charging medley of Johnny Cash songs. They were followed by a half-dozen acts, including a ventriloquist using canine puppets, as well as a raffle.

Some of the performers, like the Spotliters dance troupe, were local seniors, but others, like the saxophone sextet Precious Metal, featured younger performers.

Between 40 percent and 60 percent of the acts are new every year, said Oakley, who made sure to take a five-minute break from his duties to watch one of his favorite vocalists, Susie Hall, perform the song “Valentine.”

“Every year has gotten better, so I guess we’re doing something right,” Oakley said.

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 631-6621 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Singer Susie Hall performs during the Ninth Annual Encinitas Follies at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on Sunday./Photo Hayne Palmour IV