Dancing @The Palladium-January 2010

Well the New Year is just about rolling in in a few hours. So just to get all you dancers who frequent the Palladium a heads-up, here's the January 2010 schedule courtesy of KI of the Dance Fever Website. I've never met KI or know what he looks like, but for those who know him or will have occasion to meet him, please go ahead and give him the shaka sign and thank him for providing the monthly Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse schedule of events. Thanks, KI.
(click on graphic to zoom in)

Tango... The Dance That Expresses Love and Hate

Can the International style Tango, the Argentine Tango, the Filipino Tango, and the American style Tango be danced with the same tempo music? Eight couples met at Radford HIgh School yesterday (Sunday) to choose the Tango music that would be compatible to all four dance styles. The music chosen is upbeat and stimulating with heavy drama. Richard and Lynn Nakamura is spearheading this "let's show the audience the different styles of Tango that is offered by Dance Hawaii" showcase with valuable assistance from two well known showcase performers Reggie Gascon and Gayle Kawahakui.
All for fun and entertainment and dancing at the same time, there will be four couples on the International Tango, two couples on the American Tango, one couple on the Filipino Tango, and one couple on the Argentine Tango. Can they all dance with the same tempo music? Well, we'll find out for sure come January 15 at the Dance Aliamanu 1st Anniversary & Charity Ball.
And dat's a wrap for this last Sunday 2009.

Dance Aliamanu Instructors Gets Feted

This past Tuesday night Dance Aliamanu honored their dance instructors with a 7-course Christmas dinner at the Imperial Chinese Restaurant at Pearlridge. Along with Dance Aliamanu President Maurice Morita and lovely wife Gilda, there were about 41 in attendance. Not all of them instructors but well wishers for another successful year for this growing dance organization. In less than a year, Dance Aliamanu has stretched out from its homebase in the Salt Lake area to Kaneohe (Kapunahala Elementary), Honolulu (Washington Middle), and Hawaii Kai (Koko Head Elementary).


Lani and I are new to this organization knowing only a handful of instructors from our stint with HBDA. But we sat at a table where we got acquainted with some new faces (Larry & Candace, and Eddie & Wally, and Jim B.), and Maurice & Gilda, and Andy & Monica Pascua.


After dinner (which incidently was so delicious that there was nothing left on our table to doggy bag and take home), and when everyone was settled, Maurice gave a short speech on the direction Dance Aliamanu was headed into the new year.


He then introduced all the dance instructors and thanked them for volunteering their time for past services and for being there in the coming year. He also recognized our music DJs Michael Chinnen and Andy Pascua, and Derrick and Kieko for designing the instructors' shirts.


Stan and Maurice were the photographers last night. I was the elusive paparazzo snapping away with my little digital cam at anyone that talks and breaths as I went table-hopping meeting new faces. It was a good night for getting together with the other instructors, also.


Dance Hawaii Kai opens with the two dances that draw the most dancers to the hardwood floor; the Waltz and the Rumba on Tuesday January 12, 2010, 7PM at Koko Head Elementary School. More on this later.
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Dancing The 3rd Week Of December

A Visit With Doug Kessler
It's Monday and the start of a new week. Got a call from Doug Kessler in the afternoon. No, in fact he was returning my call that I made earlier. Okay, every dancer on this island knows the dancing maestro who puts on the most exciting, entertaining and well received dance showcases at least two times a year. Arrangement was made to visit the studio for a few photo shoot. I stopped by the Keep On Dancing Studio at 7 PM where Mr Kessler holds his classes. Of course, there was a motive for my visit. My son, Nick and his partner Junie were going to be there for dance lessons, and I also wanted to meet Doug Kessler in person. So there I was watching the maestro teach the Cha Cha, the Samba, and the Rumba. You gotta be impressed with Doug Kessler and his teaching method. He teaches steps, musicality, styling and theory with each lesson and with patience. What a deal if you ever want to learn how to dance from one of the well-known professional dance teachers in the islands. More on Doug Kessler when I get the announcement of his upcoming Mardi Gras showcase in March 2010.



Lani takes a Crash Course in Country Line Dancing
Yes, you read right. Lani took a crash course in the Country Waltz, Cha Cha, and the Swing to assist Sandy Zook in the Christmas showcase at Kahala Nui just 24 hours before showtime.



The Kahala Nui Christmas Party featuring Sandy Zook and The Eclectics in a showcase with dancing and singing was held on Friday afternoon in the Diamond Head Rooom. The room was packed with Seniors and guests at the Senior Living. It was an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon with Seniors joining in on the Country Line Dances at one end of the room and partner dancing on the main stage.



I won't go too heavy on this event because Sandy promises a cover story on this blog soon. So I'm just gonna sneak a photo of the Choreographer Sandy Zook and The Eclectics. Stay tuned.



Friday night, John and Alicia of Star-Struck Dance Studio in Hawaii Kai invited me to their studio Christmas Party. I got there a little early for the party but in time to observe their students learning the Hustle from Alicia. Good basic steps for any beginning dancer. The studio was well decorated with the Christmas spirit and there were refreshments laid out for the party. General dancing started after the group lesson. John and Alicia hosts free dance lessons at Koko Marina Center Courtyard on the first Friday of each month. Checkout their website for more info.

The Palladium December 2009 Schedule

I finally got the December Schedule. Thanks to George Santos who had a spare one in his pocket and was more than willing to share one with me. On this late date, the clipboard that holds the printed schedule is kaput....no more. So lucky me, thanks to George, I got one and able to post it on this blog for everyone. Now, if you see George at the Palladium, go tell him, "Eh, Keoki, mahalo, bro!" And maybe I'll be lucky to get the Palladium January 2010 Schedule from him.

(If da buggah too small to read, just left click da mouse on da schedule)

What A First Week In December It Has Been!

Lani and I concluded our last dance class for this Fall Session on Monday at Ali'iolani CSA on the Cha Cha and the Jitterbug, two HHSAA Football Championship games at the Aloha Stadium, introduction of New Cha Cha Line Dance by Andy and Monica at Dance Aliamanu, USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball featuring the Diamond Head Theater Shooting Stars preshowing before the showcase of up and coming top amateur ballroom couple Marco Camarlenghi and Martina Minasi at the Palladium, and StarStruck Dance Studio first monthly free dance lessons at Koko Marina Center with certified professional dance instructors John and Alicia Aros. (note: see bio on Marco and Martina by Calvin Ota on the Town Dancer blog, and bio on John and Alicia by Geoffrey Fells on the Dancing In The Dark blog).

Lani and I topped off the Cha Cha with the Circle Breaks and Shoulder Check ending with the Half Moon pattern. I think the students loved the combination because they kept on dancing well into the first 15 minutes of the second hour. After a short recess and review of the previous Jitterbug patterns, Lani and I taught the Travelling Swivels, and Shoulder Check with Touch The Back Tuck ending. With Rock Around The Clock blaring and the students having fun dancing, it was hard for me to call it a night after the nine o'clock quitting time.


Maurice Morita, President of Dance Aliamanu e-mailed me that Andy and Monica were going to teach a new extended version of the Cha Cha Line Dance at Aliamanu Middle School on Thursday. Regardless of the heavy rains and strong winds, Lani and I decided to venture again into Central Oahu. It was a good turnout for there were others who braved the not-so-nice weather. The new Cha Cha version has some good Latin variations which are in tune with the music and dance. It should be a hit on the dance floor at the Dance Aliamanu 1st Anniversary and Charity Ball in January.

As for the USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball, Guest Authors Ravi and Synthia have a terrific first hand audience reaction on Marco and Martina's peformances in Dancing In The Dark blog. After reading that blog, scroll down to "Talk To The Animals" at the Honolulu Zoo blog. It's happening this Sunday (Dec. 6). Ravi sez that admission is $4 pp as you enter at the exit gate; the entrance gate will be closed.


Friday evening rolled in and thank goodness no heavy rain..in fact no rain at all..just strong cold winds and every other thing that happened on Friday. Football games, big shindig at the Palladium, and of course the weather. Met John and Alica Aros at the Koko Marina Center Courtyard for the StarStruck Dance Studio Demo and free dance lessons. Enticing Latin music was blaring over the speakers for this first Friday of the month event. I guess with all the other events going on, the turnout was low but that did not hamper the instructors and students spirit. Three of my dance students, two students of StarStruck Studio, and a couple of walk-by ladies joined in for the free Mambo and Rumba dance lessons.






John and Alicia Aros demonstrated the basic steps as they taught the Mambo during the first hour and then the Rumba during the second hour. John and Alicia will be giving free dance lessons on the first Friday of each month at the Koko Marina Center Courtyard. For more info please log on their website at www.starstruck-studio.com.
And dat's a wrap for now.