Inside his Malibu home, laughter blended seamlessly into music as friends, fans, and loved ones gathered for what became a two-hour sing-along that felt like a living scrapbook. Forgotten melodies resurfaced. Old memories stirred. A few quiet tears slipped through smiles. And at the center of it all was Van Dyke himself — glowing with the same spark that once danced across chimney tops, reminding everyone in the room that joy, when nurtured, never ages.
The occasion was the annual Vandy High Tea, a charity event held Sunday, Nov. 30, to benefit The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum, currently in development. Produced by Chris Isaacson Presents and hosted by Stu Shostak, the gathering transformed “Vandy Manor” into a space filled with conversation, music, and connection — exactly as Van Dyke intended.
“There are several reasons for having these — all good,” he explained to the crowd. “But mine is to revive the art of conversation.”
With his trademark wit, he lamented a world absorbed by screens. “Everywhere you go, people are looking at their phones. Nobody talks anymore,” he said, drawing laughter when he added, “I may be the only person in the United States over ten who doesn’t have a cell phone. I don’t have a phone.”
Seated nearby, his wife Arlene Silver, watched with pride as her husband held court — charming, thoughtful, and endlessly funny. Joking about the roles he’s played later in life, Van Dyke quipped that despite often portraying “irate and cantankerous” old men on screen, the secret to aging well is simple: “To have a serene attitude about things.”
Silver, glowing as brightly as he did, reminded the room of what lay just ahead. “You’re a very special, almost 100-year-old person,” she said, prompting cheers as Van Dyke’s December 13 birthday approached.
Moments later, she unveiled an oversized copy of his recent PEOPLE Magazine cover, teasing, “We’re going to reveal the cover of the Sexiest Man Alive!” Van Dyke studied the photo and laughed. “Oh my God. Isn’t that great? At least I didn’t end up fat and bald!”
Then came the music.
The afternoon’s first notes rang out with “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” performed by Van Dyke’s quartet, The Vantastix, setting the tone for what would become a joyful musical journey through his life. Songs flowed easily — “You Two,” Van Dyke’s favorite from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins; and heartfelt tributes that carried decades of meaning.
When asked what he loves most about the Christmas season, Van Dyke didn’t hesitate. “The singing. The caroling,” he said — before leading the room in “Caroling, Caroling” by Nat King Cole.
Another question turned personal: what does daily life in Malibu look like now? “A lot of singing,” he answered, smiling toward Silver. He shared that he first discovered her musical talent casually — singing together — and joked, “Once I found that out, I was sold. On the spot!”
The performances continued with classics like “Carolina in the Morning,” followed by “Old Senility,” a playful parody of The Bare Necessities, and lyrics penned by Morey Amsterdam for The Dick Van Dyke Show theme — each song met with laughter, applause, and fond recognition.
As the afternoon drew to a close, the room joined together one final time for “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” the beloved Mary Poppins anthem Van Dyke first sang alongside the late David Tomlinson. Voices rose. Smiles softened. Time seemed to pause.
It wasn’t a farewell. It wasn’t nostalgia for something lost.
It was a celebration — of movement, music, love, and a man who continues to remind the world that joy, when shared, is ageless.
And as the final notes faded, one truth lingered in the air:
Dick Van Dyke isn’t slowing down — he’s still singing his way forward.
