The NYC Department for the Aging and Mayor Eric Adams have hosted the Talent is Timeless 2024 Grand Finale at the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights.

The event featured 22 acts showcasing music, comedy, and dance, captivating an audience of over 1,000 attendees and highlighting the immense talents of older New Yorkers.

This year’s finale marked the second annual Talent is Timeless competition, which saw participation from New Yorkers aged 60 and above. The first round of the competition included over 1,000 acts performed at older adult centers across the city, followed by two additional rounds leading to the grand finale.

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The initiative not only provides a platform for older adults to demonstrate their skills but also seeks to challenge and combat ageist stereotypes prevalent in society.

“New York City has always been a place that has attracted the most talented people in the world, and today, older New Yorkers have once again shown they are a vital part of our talent pool,” Mayor Adams stated. “Getting to see Talent is Timeless bring together older residents and allowing them to perform at a level many of them may never have imagined was truly inspiring and shows that talent does not run out with time – it only gets better. I want to congratulate the finalists and everyone who participated in this year’s competition.”

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, praised the event, saying, “The Talent is Timeless series is a beautiful, heartwarming, and remarkable demonstration of what makes New York City’s older adults so wonderful. More than 20 acts in the finale performed comedy, music, or dance routines and showed that skill, stage presence, and engagement with their craft are truly ageless.” Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez added, “NYC is a great place to age as it creates opportunities for older New Yorkers to share their creative gifts on a grand scale. The acts we saw today prove that talent is, in fact, ageless.”

The event was emceed by the charming comedian Jackie Hoffman, with a panel of esteemed guest judges, including acclaimed dancer Lillian Colon, comedian D’yan Forest, director Guy Stroman, actress and singer Lillias White, and actor, director, and performance coach Kristine Zbornik.

This year’s winners included Rosemarie Hameed, singing “Inseparable” from Henry Street Settlement Older Adult Center; David Husney, dancing to “Power” from Food Bank Older Adult Center; and Joshua Popenoe, performing an original song “Josh’s Signature Song” from Greenwich House Center on the Square Older Adult Center. Marcos Crespo, Senior Vice President of Community Affairs at Montefiore Einstein, remarked, “This celebration is an intergenerational bridge, reflecting our mission to foster vibrant, healthy communities across all stages of life. At Montefiore Einstein, we are deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life for older adults through innovative research and comprehensive programs that support healthy aging, and we are proud to support initiatives like this that celebrate the limitless potential of every generation.”

Madeline Marquez, Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer at Ponce Bank, emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “Ponce Bank is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and unlocking opportunities for every member of our community to flourish, including the often-overlooked seniors of New York City. The ‘Talent is Timeless’ Competition, presented by the NYC Department for the Aging, is a celebration of the creativity and influence of older adults. This competition serves as a powerful testament to the fact that age is no barrier to artistic expression and cultural impact. Ponce takes great pride in wholeheartedly supporting and spotlighting these remarkable individuals who continue to ignite inspiration in us all!”