There are now more people over age 65 than under five—what that means

Contestant Lina Sapelnikova (centre) and honourary contestant, 92-year-old Etya Mikhelson (at right), wait to be brought on stage by students from a local dance school.

Tables stocked with Russian delicacies are abandoned as families dash towards the stage when it's their grandmother's time to perform. The National Restaurant and Night Club has been a fixture in Brighton Beach since the late 1970's.

A grandmother performs a contest challenge—a song from her youth–with her husband. Photographer Yurenev said their song was so beautiful, it was one of the many moments that day that he almost cried.

Faina Konusova, 69-years-old and a grandmother to three, watches another grandmother perform while she waits her turn on stage. Her dress, she says, is also part of the contest—she had to wear or create an outfit from her youth. She imagines she might have worn such a dress at an evening event for the famed Intourist hotel in Moscow where she worked for 30 years, mostly during the Soviet era." The dress would have had to be beautiful, and very elegant."

Mara Goldstein, 82, works as a home attendant. During World War II, she and her mother and grandmother escaped a Jewish ghetto in Rybnitsa, Moldova, a journey her grandmother did not survive. Now a grandmother to two granddaughters, Goldstein says humor has helped her live a long life. She added some comedy to her routine, disguising herself in a moustache and wig.

The National Restaurant's long-time maitre d' takes a break to enjoy a meal as the contest continues.

Grandmother Galina Butina (who at the end of the night will win one of two crystal crowns) sings a waltz.

Grandmother Lina Sapelnikova, originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, gives it her all on stage.

Leya Popivker, originally from Ukraine, is carried on stage in a chair, part of her dance performance. According to small biographies, typed in English and handed out at the pageant, Popivker has two grandchildren, loves listening to music, and has a cosmetology license: "Beauty for Leya is in life and the profession," reads the card.

Polina Vockoboynik and her back up dancers perform a ribbon dance to the song 'I'm alive' by Celine Dion. She has four grandchilden and originally hails from Kazakhstan, where she worked as an English teacher.

From left to right: Faina Konusova, Fanya Verets, and Lina Sapelnikova wait backstage to be called up for their performaces.

Fanya Veret, an emigre from Moscow, Russia, stays performance-ready. She is a proud grandmother of two.

Contestants line up for the awards ceremony. All received flowers and awards from local sponsors including travel agencies, two were crowned as "Your Highness Grandmother."

The Your Highness Grandmother Master of Ceremonies takes a break from announcing in Russian and English on a balcony overlooking part of the hall. More than 300 supporters came out to cheer on the grandmothers.

Grandmother Mara Goldstein's smile is captured in double images in the lobby of the National Restaurant.

Contestants are tasked with performances that, this year, had them draw inspiration from the music, dances, and iconic artists of their youth.

Etya Mikhelson, 92, a classical pianist and grandmother to three, receives an honorary crown at this year's contest. She did not compete in the hours-long competition but performed a song that made the entire hall start singing. "At this age I'm still playing and performing. It's a wonderful feeling," she says. Her son traveled from Ukraine to be with his mum for the pageant.

Roza Mardukhaeva and Fanya Verets enjoy a short rest as they wait to be called on stage.