We were greeted by the familiar friendly faces of the lovelies at the reception table...Shirley, Delia, and Dana. Got our table assignment and waited a few minutes for the doors to open to the ballroom.
Met some nice people while Lani and I waited. Among them IBDI Prez Chris & Charlene Jay. You can always get a good handshake and a hug from these friendly twosome.
The mellow sound track of easy dancing music filled the air as we entered the ballroom. DeeJays Henry Lee and Jane were spinning the tunes for the evening as more dancers got on the dance floor. It was good to see Henry and Jane taking time out to do some dancing, too.
One of the organizers of this event is Grace Nohara and she did an excellent job putting together the program. Kudos also to her committee of helpers.
Good to meet people in high positions, too, that will be shaping the future use of the dance palladium. Charlene Jay was nice to introduce me to the new City Parks & Recreation Director Gary Cabato and his wife Lynn.
The man with the golden voice that kept the program well oiled and running smoothly was EmCee Michael Goya. He has the charisma and humor and his voice carried throughout the ballroom. He introduced all the Presidents of the various dance organizations who were in attendance including the owners and teachers of the professional dance studios. Yeah! All of them got leid....oops! I mean they all received leis. Michael also said the invocation before the grindz time. As usual the entries selected were ono especially the roast beef sauteed in gravy, and the miso butterfish. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
Guest speaker for the evening was City Parks & Recreation Diector Gary Cabato. But prior to him taking the mike, Prez Chris Jay announced that the Inaugural installation of officers will take place at another time hence that will give more time for dancing. That won approval with a loud applause. No date was set for the installation of officers.
Mr.Cabato gave an inspiring speech about the future use of the dance palladium for dance organizations. He mention a nice figure of $15 an hour fee for the use of the dance palladium which brought more applauses. Whether it's a proposal he's working on or the real thing, it sure sounded nice.
Then it was grindz time.
Prior to the Dance Exhibition part of the program, the icebreaker "Snowball" dance brought nearly everyone to the dance floor. Lani and I got pulled onto the dance floor by different dancers at the first sound of the music. Somehow I've always liked the "Snowball" rather than the tradition "Horseshoe" because it got everybody to dance. Everybody got to dance is right 'cause I only got two dances (with Vicky Kerfoot, and Debra Ota). Other than my Super ex-girlfriend, these gals were fun to dance with that night.
THE DANCE EXHIBITION
The Dance Exhibition part of the program started soon after with the International Waltz by Ed and Matilda. I never get tired watching this young couple perform in showcases. They have so much strength and techniques in the International Waltz.
Ed and Charlotte has always pleased the audience with their dynamite showcase performances of the International Samba, and the International Cha Cha. And tonight's showcase of the International Rumba showed their versatility in the slow tempo sensuous Rumba.
Another excellent performance in the Tango-Foxtrot Medley by Dr. Michael and Trudy. It appears that "medley" is the new approach to dance exhibition showcases and Michael and Trudy has been wowing the audience with their rendition. Good technique and always a pleasure to watch.
I've always enjoyed the Villanuevas solo and team performances in previous showcases and tonight they had added a new dimension of entertainment in their "Latin Showcase". It had a touch of cultural or tribal mixture that I found pleasing and entertaining. Renna's grandson Ikaika and Kona's daughter danced some nice Latin moves to open their showcase before Renna and Kona appeared on the dance floor. A performance well done.
Closing the program was an American Style Waltz performed by Debby and Rueben. I've watched this performance once before and I gotta say..Rueben has mastered this routine tremendously. He was more relaxed and in control of the dance. Debby of course, is always at her best which contibuted to a wonderful performance by both teacher and student.
Well, all good shows must come to an end..and I emphasize it was a good and well planned, and an enjoyable showcase. Five dance exhibitions is a good number allowing more time for dancing. Lani and I stayed till almost 11PM and lucky for us 'cause I got to take home the Centerpiece being that my birthday was the closest to February 23. They didn't ask for the year I was born, so that's double lucky for me.
(Left click on photo to zoom in)
