Get to know the Savannah Banana Nanas

HINESVILLE, Ga. — When Savannah’s favorite yellow clad ringmaster, Jesse Cole, first acquired our summer league team in 2015, he asked the general public for help with several things. For one, he asked for help with creating a team identity and now the Savannah Bananas are a household name. Jesse also announced that he desired to have a senior ladies dance team. Little did he know that the word would get around to Karen Olenick, the perfect person to lead a group of charismatic and dedicated dancers, ages 65 and better of course.

Karen formed the original members of the Savannah Banana Nanas, a.k.a the Nanas, from fellow dancers she knew from local senior dance clubs Generation Z and Smart Senior. Karen takes the lead as Head Nana and choreographer. A retired Phys Ed teacher from New Jersey, Karen is an avid country line dancer and when she moved to Savannah she noticed the absence of options for her favorite passion. She started several groups specifically for seniors that became an outlet for many seeking a healthy activity and way to challenge themselves. None of them imagined they would someday be entertaining thousands as one of the Bananas fans’ favorite, crowd-pleasing acts.

Karen loves dancing for the fact that it keeps her brain learning and her fitness level high. But she loves dancing with the Nanas for the smiles across the crowd and how they make people feel. Karen admits she loves the“circus” of it all and is so impressed with the organization from Jesse down to the entertainment staff.

One of the original Nanas, alongside Karen, is Richmond Hill resident Elaine Wilson. This “sweeter than pie” Nana is excited to discuss this wonderful experience. “Practice is once a week but picks up during the season.” Though the group is currently at capacity, Elaine explains that, “It is important to know basic line dancing steps to get started. Our group learns new routines quickly so you have to know moves like ‘Grapevine’ and ‘Cha-Cha’ or it can be difficult to keep up.”

Elaine has three grandsons from her two sons. The grandsons get a big kick out of her being a Nana and so does Elaine. She likens the organization to the Harlem Globetrotters meeting Barnum & Bailey’s with a baseball twist. Elaine had retired from nursing and was attending line dancing classes with Karen. She loves how well the Nanas all work together and spend so much time together, even outside of practice. They also do appearances at senior living facilities and are all about promoting the physical and mental health of those advanced in age.

Another sprye Nana is Dorre. This is her 4th year as a Nana and she absolutely loves this life. “The energy behind ‘The Show’ that Jesse has created is amazing. I am so proud of my role and to be affiliated with such a great organization,” exclaims Dorre. She also is so happy about the relationships forged with the other girls and how everyone gets caught up in it and commits to their roles.

Barbara Floyd is the eldest of the group at 80 years young. She is celebrating her 5th year with the organization. Barbara has been dancing all her life having spent time in ballroom, tap, and line dancing. She loves how hard practice is received by the fans. Barbara smiled while saying, “The crowds are great and they really love a lot of shakin!”

This is Diane Graham Kastick’s 3rd year with the Nanas but she has been dancing since she was four years old. Fittingly, her parents were circus performers! She says they would love how innovative Jesse is and that he considers this a sort of “baseball circus.” Diane is an avid dancer and has been competitively ballroom dancing for seven years.

Tara is a three year member of the squad and admits she doesn’t have as extensive of a dance background as the others. However, she has thoroughly enjoyed building such great friendships. She has more friends now than she did after 23 years of living in Maryland!

Jeanette, 4th year, says this is the best thing that ever happened to her. She did this to face a fear of performance anxiety and she has really come out of her shell. She enjoys the electricity of the games, the support and enthusiasm in the organization and the crowd. Jeanette also wants to encourage others of all generations to challenge themselves regardless of what stage in life they are at.

Sandy Sikes is another one of the original Nanas. She calls it the best thing ever and describes how it helped her get through grief early on. Her whole family loves baseball and her grandson pitches on the Richmond Hill High School team.

Agnus Brantley is in her 6th year and agrees that it is definitely a time commitment but one she does not hesitate to make. She enjoys the rhythm and movement of the dances and says that the girls all have a unique and fun sisterhood.

We did not get a chance to talk to every one of the Nanas but you can certainly go see them! 11 of the 13 members dance at the games. Though the Bananas are sold out for the season, there are various opportunities throughout the year to come across tickets. I highly encourage you do and if you see a Nana, tell them that you are a “Neighbor that loves the Nanas!”

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