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Mary Wilkerson and Juanita Still make up the duo MJ.

“We go to senior centers and nursing homes and we lip sync to oldies and we dress up like the artists and the reason we lip sync is because the people that we entertain for, they know the artists,” says Still.

Since 2007, the ladies have been performing. They came up with the idea while shopping in their favorite thrift store.

“It hit me when I heard the music,” Still recalls. “I said, we need to do something to help people, and so we looked around in the store and we saw the clothing and said, hey we could perform.”

The women have performed for free at more than a dozen senior centers around the city.

“One day we are going to be there, and we would like to know that there is somebody out there that is going to do the same thing for us,” says Still.

They both have problems getting around, so they rely on Access-a-Ride to take them to and from their performances.

“We both have medical concerns, but we don't let that stop us,” Still says. “And even though we are in pain, when we are on stage, we don't feel anything till it’s over.”

“I think that they are fantastic ,” says Henrietta Edwards, an audience member at one performance. “Their actions takes me back to when I used to party and have parties, and it’s really fascinating and its good for us because at this time in our lives we don't want it to become a repetition.”

“They don't have anyone to come and visit. And when you go an visit them, they are so overjoyed because they don't have family, sometimes they don't have relatives, and they depend on outside support,” says Wilkerson.

And as if the performance wasn't enough, the pair put on a raffle.

“We just buy small things that we feel that they need,” says Still. “It might be a man's handkerchief; it might be a little purse for some of them who play bingo.”

Some seniors even become part of the act.

“It certainly is a good form of exercise for us seniors,” says senior Rhena Dorsey.

And so for bring song and dance to city seniors, Mary Wilkerson and Juanita Still are our New Yorkers of the Week.

For more information, call 347-512-0765 or send an email to jstillr@yahoo.com.

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