Talk of the Town: It’s ‘Dance Fever’ time, baby

When you are ill with this blasted flu that’s been going around, there’s not much to do to make you feel better other than to rest and drink lots of fluids.

While at home, I switched on the old television classics and stumbled upon one of my favorite sitcoms from the 1980s — none-other-than “Cheers.”

Designed by Richard Sylbert, the "Cheers" set was loosely based on Boston’s Bull and Finch bar.

It took 30 to 40 extras to fill up the pub set as “customers.” Any less, and the bar looked empty.

John Ratzenberger originally auditioned for the role of barfly Norm Peterson. When he lost the role to George Wendt, Ratzenbereger asked the producers if they had written in a “resident know-it-all” into their show.

All bars have one, he pointed out.

Thanks to his persistence, the character of mail carrier Cliff Clavin became a regular Cheers patron.

Although the "Cheers" bar was fully functional (and many NBC after-hours parties were held on the set), the suds served to George Wendt weren’t exactly a tasty microbrew.

In fact, it was “near beer,” with an alcohol content of 3.2 percent, and a pinch of salt added so that the mug kept a foamy head under the hot studio lights.

And, yes, George had to periodically sip that ghastly concoction in order to keep his character real.

The final two actors in contention for the role of ex-jock-turned-bar-owner Sam Malone were Fred Dryer and Ted Danson.

The show’s original concept called for Sam to be a retired football player, and Dryer seemed ideal since he’d spent 13 years as an NFL defensive end.

The role eventually went to Danson, a seasoned actor and the story was changed to make the bar owner a relief pitcher to better match Danson’s physique.

Ted later admitted that he’d spent two weeks attending a bartending school in Burbank to prepare for his audition, only to find out that (like most bartenders) most of his mixology was performed below sight level of the bar, out of camera range.

There’s a much better way to raise your temperature other than getting the flu. There’s always “Dance Fever,” the 21st annual Spring Follies presented by the Green Valley Tap Club at 7 p.m., Feb. 11 and 13, and at 2 p.m., Feb. 12 and 14 at the West Center.

Sponsored by Green Valley Recreation, tickets are $10 for GVR members, $12 for guests and $14 for the general public and are on sale at all major GVR centers.

Directed by Jack Ponzo, choreographed by Carol McKay, assisted by Adrienne Olson and Rita Ammon, the dance extravaganza features The Showgirls and The Dazzlers in bright tap numbers and gorgeous costumes, the Desert Star Line Dancers with polished new dance routines and the GV Stud Muffins up to their usual antics.

This show promises to turn up the heat for a brilliant spring dance festival.

Emceed by Al Saterbak, Joey Lessa and Yours Truly, the music will include such old favorites as Peggy Lee’s “Fever,” “Steam Heat,” and “I Had the Craziest Dream” and newer hits such as “Hot Hot Hot” and “Hot Honey Rag.”

The all-new choreography will run the gamut of styles from the 1920s through Hip Hop.

The Madera Room at La Posada is currently featuring a quilt exhibit through the end of February by Karen Lee Carter, daughter-in-law of residents, Jeanne and Bill Casey.

The quilts are original art quilts that the Virginia resident created. Carter’s quilts have been exhibited nationally.

“I’ve always loved to sew,” Carter said, and began making quilts in 1997.

She has created more than 150 quilts over the past 10 years.

Although she makes a wide variety of quilts, she said her true joy comes from creating original art quilts.

She uses a variety of construction and surface design techniques, often embellishing her art quilts with beads, yarns, buttons, ribbons and other small objects that add texture and visual interest to her work.

Currently, her focus is on making commissioned quilts to commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, baptisms, anniversaries and graduations.

She likes to help families preserve their treasured memories and celebrate their lives.

For several years, she had shared her knowledge of quilts and quilt-making with elementary school children.

Her own three children are now grown — two of them in college and one an elementary school teacher.

Visit her Web site at web.mac.com/klcquilts.

Authors Terry McCarthy Sr. and his wife Thecla E. McCarthy will be hosting a book signing at the Tortuga Book store in Tubac from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. where they will be on hand to talk about and sign their self-published books, “A Theology of the Corporation—A Franciscan Approach,” by Terrence J. McCarthy, Sr. and Thecla’s book, “10 Ambassadors to Costa Rica.”

Married for 56 years, the couple has 12 children, 42 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

rford@gvnews.com |547-9740