How do your friends pay tribute to you on the occasion of your birthday?
Cake is a common route, as are balloons, and some singing, and maybe a pizza or a drink. But if you're Esther Williams, the screen goddess who became synonymous with ballet-like synchronized swimming in the movies of the 1940s and '50s, there's one fitting and fabulous salute her friends and many admirers can make: A swimming pool dance show.
The Aqualillies, LA's own flower-cap'd, precision-performance synchronized swimming entertainment troupe, stop to remember their idol and inspiration every year on the occasion of her birthday. Ms. Williams was born on Aug. 8, and the date is something of an important holiday in Aqualillies lore.
Important because there is always a swimming pool show that summons the fluid movements and stunning splashes Ms. Williams perfected over a half century ago. The 2015 show is from 2 to 5 o'clock in the afternoon at the Marina del Rey Hotel in Marina del Rey. Saturday, Aug. 8 is the date.
"Event is free but space is limited, so come early," recommends a representative for the troupe.
If you've never seen The Aqualillies take to the waves, expect strict kicks, disciplined poses, sunny demeanors, and a continuous above-the-water-line flow of hands, arms, and legs, like leaves blowing in unison along a branch. It's a symphony brought to the eyes via clear blue H20 and practiced athleticism.
Ms. Williams, who was a fan of the troupe, passed away in 2013. But her legacy lives on, and the form she is famous for bringing to the masses, with The Aqualillies. The jaunty group jaunts to places around Southern California to perform, and beyond our borders, too, but the swimmers always pause each and every eighth of August for one very special birthday salute to a very special movie star.
