People
Turning Heads For Over 80 Years-- Tap Dancer Sid Hallburn
By C. MacDonald
Sid Hallburn has turned heads for more than 80
years as an incredible tap dancer. At 90, he's
still performing and receiving rave reviews at
The Adventurer's Club of Los Angeles, Nixon
Presidential Library and Museum, Long Beach
Veteran's Hospital, churches, schools, senior
citizen homes, you name it.
He loves the crowds and they love him. Twinkling
eyes, gracious smile, buff body, animated hands
and magical feet. No wonder Sid is a
crowd-pleaser.
First stepping into the spotlight as a
4-year-old, running up on a Los Angeles stage
where legendary banjo king Eddie Peabody was
playing, the crowd went wild with his impromptu
dance routine.
Eddie was so impressed, he asked Sid's mom if
her kid could tour with his troupe. She said,
"Thanks but no thanks" but later took him to the
famous Meglin Kiddies in Hollywood, where former
Ziegfeld Girl, Ethel Meglin and her assistants,
taught him to tap dance. He performed in their
shows all over, including in the Rose Bowl over
80 years ago.
Ethel encouraged him, along with some other
youngsters, named Shirley Temple. Judy Garland,
Jackie Cooper, Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney. "I
was never a star but it was fun being around
them," said the modest man, who said he was a
backup dancer for Hal Roach Studios, "The Little
Rascals," and MGM.
"It was an amazing experience when Gene Kelly
walked into the room, everyone stopped talking.
He had such charisma, charm and talent. Gene was
very down-to-earth and friendly, whether you
were a star or not."
"I learned from him to always be on time,
perform to your best--no matter how you
felt--have fun and put smiles on the audience's
faces."
Dancing also was excellent exercise. Sid's good
friend, Jack LaLanne, appreciated his skills,
enthusiasm, sincerity, honesty and positive,
caring attitude.
"Jack taught me to never give up, that anything
is possible and you can achieve your dreams if
you just keep working at it."
Sid and Jack were born in San Francisco and he
taught the fitness legend's son, Jon, how to
swim at 9-months-old. (He had taught water
safety in the Air Force.) Sid still uses his
pal's Jack LaLanne Power Juicer and liquid
vitamins.
The multi-talented Huntington Beach resident,
who taught Special Education for Los Angeles
City Schools and is a World War II veteran, has
always believed in giving back to the community.
He volunteers weekly at the Long Beach Veteran's
Hospital ("trying to cheer people up"), the
Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum (helps
clean it up weekly), the Huntington Beach
Historical Society (helps in many ways,
including at the annual Civil War Days), the
American Legion and many other groups.
The father of 3 kids and 5 grandkids loved his
late wife, Lois, who sang with the champion
"Sweet Adelines" and taught Special Education in
the LA City Schools.
The versatile entertainer plays several
instruments and has produced shows as well as
performed with the ukulele sensation, Bill "the
Duke of Uke" Tapia, when he was over 100.
Sid, who's also in the Masters Hall of Fame for
Martial Arts, has always believed in starting
his day with exercise. Over a 45-minute period,
he stretches, lifts weights, rides a stationary
bike, walks on a treadmill and runs in place.
The amazing inspiration still turns heads, is
fit as a fiddle, looks like he's out of
Hollywood Central Casting, and continues to put
happy songs in many hearts and smiles on many
faces, just like he did 8 decades ago.
What advice does he have for the rest of us?
"Exercise. Love God. Be honest with yourself. Be
positive. Eat right and always give back to
others. Make the world a better place, one
person at a time. It's a gift to be here and to
make a difference!"
As his old friend Gene Kelly would say, always
enjoy "singing in the rain."
You can contact Sid about performing
(individually or with "The Happy Old Guys and
the Kids," featuring Samantha, Taylor, Dylan and
himself) at
714-968-7791.