On April Fool's Day, members of the New London Senior Center gathered to show off their talents in the 13th annual variety show called the "Gaga Gong Show."

Displays of dancing, singing and comedic talent drew applause and laughter from the small audience and three judges.

After 13 years, members have come to enjoy and look forward to the event, but it was not so easy to get people to come out of their shells at first, said Elizabeth Witter, senior citizens coordinator at the center.

"It was difficult at first. Only people who could play musical instruments or sing would come forward," said Witter. "But now we have a variety of people coming forward. They really look forward to this."

One excited member was Linda Langua, who won last year's talent show and returned to the stage this year, donning a black and pink wig to sing a song by Reba McEntire. She said she feels comfortable performing in a familiar setting.

"Everybody here knows who I am," said Langua. "If I was to perform in front of people I didn't know, I would be a nervous wreck."

Langua also enjoys seeing other people's performances. "Everyone has something different," she said.

And different is a good word to describe the crowd of regulars who come to the senior center to fill a need for socialization by participating in events, said Witter.

"It helps people understand that they can get along in a community despite their differences. It's an ice breaker. We have a very diverse senior center here," she said.

Henry Pianka, 86, of New London, agrees with Witter.

"You know the nice thing about people here is that they're all congenial. They get along together" said Pianka, noting that in other senior centers, the atmosphere can be "one clique against another."

But that's not the case in New London, according to Pianka.

"The people here get together regardless of race, creed or color," he said.

Pianka, the final act and only male gong show contestant, was listed in the event program as "a well-known comedian." He began his performance by surveying the crowd, asking for audience members to raise their hands if they were under 80 years old, which many were, and promising to keep it clean for the "kids." Pianka gave a spirited comedic routine and was awarded first place by the judges.

"Coming down here is a big deal for him," said Pianka's son, Steve, adding "we're never going to hear the end of this," after his father's win.

Pianka says that being involved with the senior center has been a way for him to maintain his health and happiness. In addition to attending the center's monthly events, Pianka spends time every week volunteering by helping wrap bread collected from local grocery stores and distributing it to seniors through the senior center's pantry.

"My advice to all seniors is to get involved with something," said Pianka.

"That glowing blue box will always be there for you to look at," he said, lamenting the fact that many of his peers spend their time watching television rather than socializing and remaining active.

According to Witter, events like the gong show allow the senior center to fill their need for activity and community involvement in a way that is both accessible and affordable.

"These are people who are looking for recreational programing. They are on very fixed incomes. They don't have a lot of money to spend," said Witter. "We try to keep things low priced so we try to work with the resources available to us to do that."

J.HOPPER@THEDAY.COM