Zumbathon Set To Benefit Alzheimer's Research

Zumba instructor Deb Shaivitz plans a three-hour, fundraising Zumbathon on Nov. 4 to benefit Alzheimer's disease research.

It will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Beth Tfiloh Congregation in Pikesville.

"Zumba transcends age, gender, color and religion," Shaivitz said in a statement. "Exhilaration would be the only word that fits here."

The event is open to all people of all ages, she said.

Shaivitz leads Zumba classes at area nursing homes, in part because her mother, a resident at Sunrise of Pikesville, loves to dance.

"Everyone thinks that the seniors should have slow-moving, bland music, quite the contrary—they rock when they hear a beat they love, and when you give them a set of maracas … look out!" she said.

This will be the third year for Shaivitz's Zumbathon. In the first two years she raised $14,000, and attracted more than 125 participants each year, according to a news release.

She donates all proceeds to Alzheimer's disease research, the release states. And the goal for this year is $10,000.

Helping to reach that goal will be International Zumba Education Specialist Maria Browning, it states. And seniors will perform for 20 minutes during the event.

Participants get drinks and snacks, and all ages are welcome to attend.

Seniors from the Weinberg Center in Owings Mills will collect donations.