Palladium May 2010 Schedule

Finally got to meet the mysterious KI. Out of the hundreds of dancers at the USA Dance 17th Anniversary Ball, what's the chance of someone tapping you on the shoulder saying, "I recognize you from your photo. I'm KI"? KI, as you recall is the person who posts the Palladium monthly schedule of events on the Web which is a great service to all dancers. Mystery solved and a big Mahalo to KI.
(Left click on schedule to zoom in)

International Tango

The International Tango performed by Ed and Matilda Felix at the Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary Ball was art in motion. Lani and I met Ed and Matilda when we were dance instructors for HBDA under the direction of Eugene Ichinose.


It was at one of the HBDA social dance parties held occasionaly at Hickam Officers Club. That was mighty long ago but Ed and Matilda and our paths crossed occasionally during the past decades.


Today, Ed and Matilda teaches the International style of Ballroom dancinng for the Windward area CSA while Lani and I are with the Kaimuki CSA and Kaiser CSA teaching the American style.


We've always admired the dance performances this young couple do at Exhibitions and their Tango at this Anniversary Ball was no exception.



Good showmanship and strength in the International style of Tango.

Argentine Tango

Acording to one professional dance teacher, the Argentine Tango is a passionate, sensual, and tantalizing style of dancing. Truly the mood is expressed the moment a couple is in a closed dance position.



Very unlike the Competitive and some Exhibition International style where the couple no longer look at each other, the Argentine Tango performed by Bruce and Yoko Wee at the Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary Ball was truly a display of the "dance of love".


Throughout the entire performance, Bruce kept his eyes on Yoko which captured the essence of the dance. Rotation, Swiveling, and Fast Leg Manuevers by Yoko brought out the characteristics of this vibrant dance.



As Lani said, "they were sooo good!"

Tango Mix

It was billed "Tango Mix" on the agenda at the recent Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary Ball at the Palladium. Call it as you may..Tango Mix or Tango Fusion, this style of showcasing by Simon Escano and Aida Ancheta was very impressive.


It may have had a touch of "discipline" of the International style but the combination of American and Argentine tone had more freedom of expression which made the performance much more entertaining. It was an eye-appealing choreographed dance as Simon lead the beautiful Aida into spins and dips...a "Thriller" with snazzy Argentine leg maneuvers.

Filipino Tango

Filipino Tango is gaining popularity in our dancing community. If it keeps on jellying, I may have to change my blog title to Fil/American Ballroom & Latin Dancing.



Filipino Tango has a good mixture of American Tango with a sweet touch of Latin and Filipino passion. It won't be long before we will see more of it on the social dancing scene wthout too much effort.



Romeo Cabras and Tessie Pascual showcased the Filipino Tango at the recent Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary Ball at the Palladium. It was refreshing to see a new style of Tango break into the Showcase scene and performed very well by Romeo and Tessie.

Dance Hawaii Kai @Koko Head Elementary School

Social Foxtrot and East Coast Swing (Jitterbug) dance classes for the Absolute Beginners starts tonight.

Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary

The long awaited evening for the 35th Anniversary Ball finally came. Got my dancing shoes, my trusty paparazzi camera, and my main squeeze to the ballroom in plenty of time to pick up my tickets that Matilda Felix had reserved and to also pick up the bentos. Bentos had already been dished out as Lani and I stepped on to the second floor lanai....but no ticket, no bento.



Picked up my tickets at the reception table where an old friend, John Calleon with Luby, Eric, Sawaye, and Ed were greeting the dancers. There were other greeters, too, at the door..George, Lucy, and Helena (who was passing out ball point pens). More familiar faces at the Bento table..Herbert Omizo (this guy really gets around just like Annie Ferguson), Marie Perreira, Louise Fujiyama, and Amadeo Verzon. I gotta tell you Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society has class when it gets to serving bento. We were surprised to see decorated tables with flower arrangements and chairs set up for comfort. Bento included white rice topped with a slice of luncheon meat, chicken steak, fish cake, and a small Okinawan donut.
Rudy Luat came to chat with us when we were having our dinner. Boy, that guy has got a mind like a steel trap...he remembers people we both knew in the 60's when we were in the Hawaii Air National Guard. Rudy was in the 199th Fighter Squadron and I was in the 169th AC&W Squadron. Well so much for the good old days but you gotta know this....Rudy is a good conversationist.

A lot of dancers were on the dance floor as Lani and I scanned the room for a good seating area. Matilda was taking care of playing the dance music and updating the chart that informs the dancers what the line up of dances will be. There must be a purpose for the chart!!?? General dancing went on till 7:45 then President Rudy Luat gave the WELCOME message. Shortly after Daniel Iki took over as EmCee for the evening. First on the agenda was the calling of Lucky Numbers for door prizes....the flower arrangements...., recognition of other dance club's presidents and Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society officers. Herbert Omizo was recognized for his continuing support for the Club. General dancing continued with Eric and Luby Brienzo substituting as DeeJay for Ed and Matilda.



Then a little after 8 o'clock the first Exhibition dance took place with Ed and Matilda dancing the International Tango. Now this couple has always performed very well in the International style and tonight they were at their very best. Good technique and strength and very disciplined as they danced the entire length of the Ballroom.



Next on were Romero Cabras and Tessie Pascual soon after with a rare treat in the Filipno Tango. This style of dancing is finding its way into our dancing community and Romero and Tessie danced some good moves to show that it will remain on the dance scene for a long time. A little touch of Latin gave the dance some punch and it was clever of the dancers to remain in the middle of the Ballroom so everyone could enjoy their rendition of the Filipino Tango. Well done, Romero and Tessie, and I hope you'll be invited to perform for other dance clubs, too.



Speaking of "punch", the Tango Mix was a dynamite performance by Simon Escano and Aida Ancheta. Their "mix" had such passion and emotional moves that their Tango may very well change the picture of Tango Exhibitions in the future. No doubt, their Tango Mix was a "Thriller" with the sweet taste of entertainment.



Bruce and Yoko Wee concluded the dance exhibition part of the program with the Argentine Tango. Here was another good performance that made the "Thriller" meter go ding. Lani said, "they were soooo good!" A lot of eye contact between Bruce and Yoko made their dance of love and hate more realistic and very enjoyable to watch.

Refreshments and snacks followed with cake and pastries from Aala Bakery thanks to Arhur & Joan Oda.
That's a wrap for now. (Left click on photo to zoom in).

Dance Hawaii Kai-2nd Quarter

The long rest since we concluded the 1st Quarter with the Waltz and Rumba at Koko Head Elementary School did Lani and me good. Dancing on those hard cement floors two hours a night, four times a week can sure cause some "itai" moments. But now, we're all rested and back in the game come April 13th. During the last Fall Session and this Spring Session at our CSA dance classes, Lani and I let loose the Jitterbug. That "bug" bit our students into a state of Swing Fever. All three classes loved the upbeat tempo of the music and the freedom to express themselves in this "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" dancing. So this quarter for Dance Hawaii Kai at Koko Head Elementary School, Lani and I will be letting loose the Jitterbug for our Absolute Beginners. And if they don't get bitten by the "bug", then maybe the Foxy Trot will get to them.
Registration is at 6:35 PM and class starts at 7. For more info phone 225-0326.

Make A Wish April Foolish Prty

Just got this forwarded e-mail hot off the press from Maurice Morita, President of Dance Hawaii (aka Dance Aliamanu). Check it out. It's a worthy fundraiser to grant the wishes of the young children who are inflicted with life threatening medical conditions. For more info please contact Lucy Cabiles (originator of this message).....

UHA presents The 24TH ANNUAL BOYS BUNCH APRIL FOOLISH FUNRAISER, supporting MAKE-A-WISH HAWAII. Hawaii’s Longest-Running April Fool’s Party is a FUNraiser disguised as a rocking party, with live bands and everyone dancing under the stars at Aloha Tower.

April Fool’s Day is no joke for the children of Make-A-Wish Hawaii whose wishes are granted each year through fundraising events like the Annual April Foolish Party held for the past 24 years.

Join us on Friday, April 9th from 5 p.m. at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace for this great party. University Health Alliance (UHA) and the Boys Bunch will host this evening fundraiser featuring dancing to the classic rock-n-roll band "The Kingpins" and door prizes including a neighbor island getaway.


Tickets to attend are only $25 in advance and $30 at the door and that includes one free drink and heavy pupu early in the evening. All net proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Ticket purchases in excess of $5 are tax-deductible. To purchase tickets, call Lucy Cabiles @ #265-8989.

Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Each year, 40 to 50 children from Hawaii have their wishes granted with the most popular being traveling to Disney World in Orlando to meet Mickey Mouse. Other popular wishes include going on shopping sprees, meeting a celebrity and trips to visit loved ones.
Aloha,
Lucy Cabiles, RA
Young Properties, Inc.
#265-8989
www.youngproperties.com

Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 35th Anniversary Ball

Like IBDI, Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society has gotta be one of the granddaddy dance clubs in the islands. Come April 10th, the organization will be celebrating its 35th year with a "Ball" at the Palladium. On tap will be General Dancing, Dance Exhibitions, Door Prizes, and Bento to the tune of 8 bucks....a very good deal plus dancing till 9:45 PM.