Flip the Script on Aging this May!
Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Mall in Columbia, Lower Center Court
Join the Office on Aging & Independence (OAI) as we celebrate Older Americans Month with an exciting event that showcases the art of healthy aging! This fun, FREE, all-ages event will feature:
Live Cooking Demonstration – Learn how to create a nutritious, seasonal recipe.
Interactive Art – Explore creativity at any age.
Cultural Performances – Enjoy music and dance that celebrate our diversity.
Keynote Speaker – Gain expert insights on brain health from Dr. William Mansbach, PhD.
Fitness Class – Get moving with a fun and engaging workout.
Free Health Screenings – Stay proactive about your well-being.
Follow us on social media to be the first to hear about event updates @HocoCommunity
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors!
AARP Maryland, The Beacon Newspapers, Bob Lucido Group, and the Residences at Vantage Point
If you need this information in an alternate format or need accommodations to participate,
call Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) at least one week in advance.
Event Location and Parking
The OAI Showcase will be located at the Lower Level Center Court which is indicated by a red star on the map to the right. It is recommended to park at the parking lots which are circled in red.
Fitness Class with Roxanne Hartman
Kick off the event with us at 10 a.m. with Zumba Gold!
Get moving and have fun with Zumba Gold, a lower-intensity dance fitness class designed for active older adults and beginners! Led by experienced instructor Roxanne Hartman, this class features easy-to-follow choreography set to energizing Latin and international rhythms. Improve your balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health while enjoying a fun, social workout. No dance experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to groove!
Keynote Speaker: Dr. William Mansbach, PhD
Join us at 10:45 am for a conversation on brain health with OAI Administrator, Ofelia Ross Ott and Dr. William Mansbach.
Dr. William Mansbach is the founder and CEO of Mansbach Health Tools LLC, which supports the BCAT® Research Center. He is also the CEO and President of CounterPoint Health Services, a multi-disciplinary behavioral healthcare company specializing in geriatrics and dementia care. Dr. Mansbach has an international reputation as a researcher, clinician, and consultant in the aging field. He was a pioneer in the development of memory clinics and is the creator of the BCAT® and ENRICH® systems, which integrate cognitive tests, interventions, and dementia prevention programs. He is the co-author of the award-winning book, Brain Health as You Age: A Practical Guide to Maintenance and Prevention.
Living Cooking Demonstration with Chef Egg
Meet Chef Egg who will be leading a healthy, seasonal, cooking demonstration at 12 pm.
After nearly a decade in grocery and culinary event marketing, Chef Egg shifted his focus to serving the community. He works with schools, nonprofits, and government organizations, teaches college students nationwide, and leads corporate and private events. He also collaborates with national brands like Wolf/Sub Zero and GE/Monogram.
A frequent guest on top Baltimore and DC news programs, he has appeared nationally with Emeril Lagasse on Emeril Green and on the Food Network’s Rewrapped. For 13 years, he has proudly worked with Walter Reed Medical Center, the Wounded Warrior Project, and military personnel both domestically and overseas.
Cultural Performances
Experience the rich diversity of our community through captivating cultural performances beginning at 1 p.m.
Enjoy live music, dance, and artistic expressions that celebrate various traditions and bring people together. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant display of culture and talent!
K-Youth
The K-Youth is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering underrepresented, multi-ethnic students through mentorship, leadership development, and academic support. By providing tailored resources, internships, and guidance, K-Youth helps students overcome barriers, close generational gaps, and achieve their dreams. The program fosters personal growth, community engagement, and respect for diversity while promoting healthy lifestyles and essential life skills. Through mentorship and coaching, K-Youth strengthens communities and nurtures future leaders, offering students the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and earn community service hours.
Indian Cultural Association in partnership with Thumak Dance
The Indian Cultural Association is a non-profit organization, formed by Sanjay & Niti Srivastava to preserve the rich, cultural heritage of India in the United States. Their mission is to promote social & cultural ties between the Indian-American & the community at large, advance greater cultural understanding & social equity, decrease food insecurity, and reduce food waste. They bring together the diverse Indian American communities in Howard County through programs, events, resources, and community outreach.
Thumak Dance offers online and in-person Bollywood, Kathak and adult BollyX Fitness workouts. Their curriculum caters to all age groups and abilities, from beginner and intermediate students to advanced learners.
Kusikuy Peru
Kusikuy Peru is a newly formed Peruvian dance group. Their mission is to preserve and share their rich and vibrant culture while fostering connections and understanding between their Peruvian Heritage and the American Community. Their practices are open to the public for anyone interested in learning and celebrating Peruvian culture. If interested in joining one of their classes, sign up at bit.ly/HoCo-PeruvianDance.
OAI Art Show
Check out the OAI Art Show on the second level by the former Lord & Taylor (right above the lower center court) from May 2 to 29.
Calling all 50+ artists - don't miss the opportunity to have your artwork displayed at the Mall in Columbia during Older Americans Month (OAM), May 2 - 29 to celebrate The Art of Healthy Aging. Accepted mediums include paintings, watercolor, drawings, canvas, paper crafts (collage, scrapbook or card-art), or other creations that can lay flat. Artwork can be framed, matted or not. Bring your artwork to any 50+ Center by April 23 and be sure to complete the Artwork Loan Agreement, available at the front desk. Questions? Email Malarie Burgess or call 410-313-6542 (voice/relay).
