‘Amazing Lady’ Erika, 99, Follows In Madonna’s Footsteps To Strike A Pose
A 99-year-old dance lover has spoken of her ‘excitement and joy’ after she teamed up with a professional tutor for a routine based on Madonna’s flamboyant 90s disco hit Vogue.
Great grandmother Erika Pillman, who lives at Colten Care’s Avon Reach home in Mudeford, Dorset, had a ‘wish come true’ at a private lesson in the Mad4Dance school in Christchurch with Principal Julie Laming.
The experience was arranged by the Companionship Team at Avon Reach after they learned Erika, a former fashion model born in Germany in 1925, would love to go dancing again.
“Vogue by Madonna was perfect as Erika likes to do lots of poses,” said team member Pauline Lawrence. “In the days leading up to the lesson, we discussed what dress she should wear.
“She was undecided at first but then chose one that was just right. She also enjoyed selecting her jewellery and making sure she would feel comfortable in her shoes.
“As we prepared, we all shared in Erika’s excitement that what was going to happen would make a wish come true for her. She was smiling so much.”
On the day, Erika and Pauline travelled by Colten Care minibus to Mad4Dance where they were greeted by Julie and her team.
Four generations of Erika’s family were present, as lending support were daughter Anna Farr, granddaughter Julie Nolan and great granddaughter Sharna Pearce.
“The minute I saw the dance teacher I felt at ease,” said Erika. “As we started I was able to express myself and feel the freedom of dance. I wanted the teacher to see what I could do. It was amazing to dance in this way.”
“Of course it all went too fast but I now have some fantastic memories to cherish.”
Asked for her advice to young dancers, Erika said: “I would always advise young people to have a go and just dance. I haven’t ever been a professional, I just love music and movement.”
Julie Laming said:
“Erika was so much fun and a complete inspiration to teach and spend time with.
“Enabling her wish to have a private dance lesson using Vogue to come true was a complete honour and pleasure. What an amazing lady!
“Erika’s strong spirit and appreciation of how dance is so good for the soul was a powerful reminder to all of us. Thank you, Erika!”
Reflecting on the day, Pauline said:
“Erika is a beautiful lady and it was a privilege to accompany her to Mad4Dance and to see how much the experience meant to her.”
Released in 1990, Vogue became one of Madonna’s biggest hits, selling six million single copies.
Its accompanying black and white video won Video of the Year at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
The song fuses fashion, glamour, club culture, house music and techno with echoes of New York’s underground gay scene of the 1980s.
Upbeat, escapist lyrics include lines such as ‘Let your body move to the music’, ‘Go with the flow’, ‘Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it’, ‘You’re a superstar, yes that’s what you are’ and ‘All you need is your imagination’.
In a spoken rap section to reflect the theme of glamour and glitz, Madonna also namechecks several film stars of the golden age of Hollywood such as Greta Garbo, Grace Kelly, Fred Astaire and Bette Davis.
