Spring Sprung at The Timbers

The public is invited to a Spring Ballroom Dance at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at retirement community, 1100 N. River Road, .

The Jay Mau Orchestra will provide the music of the Big Band era. This 10-piece band plays at 35 dances a year, The Timbers being a favorite. Orchestra members hail from Indiana, the Chicago area and Joliet. Jay Mau is a resident of Channahon.

Mau began his musical studies with the trumpet, tuba, and then the string bass, which Mau now plays. At Lockport Township High School, he played in the school band and for school sock hops with the Jimmy Stevenson Swing Band.

Following two years in the Navy, he joined a polka band — the Al Piazza Trio. Four nights a week, Mau performed with Donna Rae and The Gentlemen. For 14 years, Mau played with the Roy Gordon Orchestra.

When Roy Gordon died, Mau purchased the orchestra, added some new music, and renamed the band The Jay Mau Orchestra.

"I wanted to keep this music going for as long as I could," Mau said.

In addition to the big band tunes of the 1930s and 1940s, such as "Stardust," Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" and Frank Sinatra's "Laura,” Mau's orchestra also performs songs by the Beatles, Bobby Darin and Wayne Newton.

"I keep adding music that appeals to all audiences," Mau said. "I like to mix it up by playing waltzes, tangos, cha-chas, rumbas and fox trots. With Dancing with the Stars so popular, we're seeing more young people dancing."

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community. The Timbers provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay — a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The dance is open to the public and admission is free, but space is limited. Reservations are requested. Call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669 or visit The Timbers' website.