Local Musicians Help Silver Lake Seniors Note National Grandparents Day

Seniors at the Garden Crest Residential Care Facility had a chance to smile and sing along this National Grandparents Day.

That was thanks to a group of young musicians organized by Dan Gamponia of Historic Filipinotown.

Composed of recent alumni of Hollywood's Musicians Institute, as well as teen and pre-teen talent, the group played for over an hour at the Garden Crest Rehabilitation Center in Silver Lake Sunday morning.

Selections ranged from standards like "Summertime" to early rockers like "Rockin' Robin" and instrumentals like "Tequila."

It was the rock numbers that really got the audience going, prompting one staff member to say, "Imagine what music seniors will be wanting to hear in 50 years."

Gamponia surveyed about 20 L.A.-area nursing homes and found few knew of National Grandparents Day.

"We believe elders deserve respect,"said Gamponia. "No other musical organization is doing what we do."

Gamponia may be right. His "Pay It Forward Volunteer Band" went on to perform at several other nursing homes Sunday, but not before enjoying a meal provided by Garden Crest.

Gamponia founded the group two-and-a-half years ago. The group had its very first gig at Garden Crest, so, said Gamponia, it was a particularly poignant stop.

Garden Crest Residential Care Facility has been quietly serving seniors ina  Silver Lake residential neighborhood.

Animals visit regularly. There's even a pony that comes once a week.  So do clowns. The facility also hosts a Buddhist service once a month.

The concert was held in a glass-walled room overlooking the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park.

Shagi Balanian, who has taught therapeutic yoga at Garden Crest, noted, "This is a very special place. "