T'is the season to be Jolly..Fala, lala, lala! Okay, I'm not a good singer but maybe I'm better as a social dancer. At least that's what my main squeeze Lani says. So we're off to the Palladium for the IBDI Christmas Dance last Saturday. Got our bento and lucky number tickets for door prizes. Not bad crowd as we searched for seats...didn't matter which side of the ballroom we sat since there wasn't goin' to be any dance showcase and I didn't need to go clicking with my trusty Fuji point and shoot camera. But that didn't stop me from making like a paparazzo when I took a short break from burning the floor with my main squeeze. Most of the shots in this blog are long time acquaintances and some members of Dance Magic 808 who have formed a bond with IBDI. The stage was fully decorated with the Christmas spirit...you know with colorful lights, silver trees, powder puff snow, and several reindeers with red noses. Ahh! only one guy that I know who can design and built those reindeers ...dat's gotta be Wally Soong. Heard he did the stage decoration, too.
Here are some of the main guys and gals who are good to know when attending any IBDI functions. Dey the guys and gals who guard da gate, and serve the onolicious snacks.
(1) Dana Morey, Delia Tom, and Fred Weddle. (2) IBDI Prez Chris Jay and his main squeeze Charlene. (3) Nancy Shen, JoAnn Rimas, Candy Matsuda, Beverly Mau, and Karen
(1) John and Ann Miguel (Dance Magic 808). (2) Annie and Stanley Nakamura. (You can always get a smile, handshake or hug from these long time friends). (3) Jack who passed out Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, and other Mars candies. (4) DeeJays Henry Lee and Jane who spinned a wonderful selection of danceable Christmas tunes plus rhythm and blues music.
(1) Teruko and George. (Teruko was one of our first dance teachers when Lani and I took up dancing). (2) (Da Bento servers) Nancy Shen, Jimmy, and Candy Matsuda. (3) Wally Soong's stage decor. (4) Lani with Arthur and Joan Oda. (The Odas are owners of New Aala Bakery and they have been donating those delicious pastries at the dance events. They were also our dance teachers and choreographers for a Cha Cha dance exhibition).
(1) Roger Izumigawa and Isabel Vong. (If you recall Joe Martel's Dancing In The Dark mini-magazine, Roger and I were among the first three guest authors during the infant stage of the magazine. Also Roger served as the EmCee when Lani and I did our first dance exhibition on the Merengue). (2) Beverly Mau and Lani. (3) USA Dance Prez Glenn and Tracy Okazaki. (Wow! It was many many moons ago when we met Glenn and Tracy...when the Aina Haina Community Dance Club was in full swing). (3) Wally and Myrna Soong. (Another couple that we met many years ago while Lani and I were teaching ballroom dancing at the Kapahulu Senior Center). (4) Susan and Richard (Aquainted through Line Dancing).
(1) (Da Bento gals) Mae, Myrna Soong, and Susan Idemoto. (2) JoAnn and Henry Rimas. (Dance Magic 808 DeeJays) (3) Stephanie Shimizu with Roy Ninomiya. (Stephanie is a dance instructor for Dance Magic 808 and Roy led the Korean Line Dance "Gangnam"). (4) Dana Morey and dat's me.
(1) IBDI Prez Chris Jay, and 1st VP Marsha Ninomiya. (2) Dat's me, JoElla, and Herbert. (JoElla is the DeeJay when Lani and I are teaching a dance class for IBDI).
(3) Roy and Karen. (4) Bunny and Tom Yoneyama. (From Roy, Karen, Bunny, and Tom...there's no holding back the hugs or handshakes with a smile when you greet them).
(1) Dance Magic 808 VP Richard and Prez Lynn Nakamura. Richard and Lynn led the audience in the "Wild, Wild West" Line Dance. (2) Giving away door prizes to lucky number ticket holders were IBDI Prez Chris Jay, Charlene, and Karen Choy. (3) Noli and Wowie Boado. (Noli is the Webmaster for Dance Magic 808).
The popular Korean Line Dance "Gangnam" led by Roy Ninomiya to close the program. What a spectacular showing when nearly everyone got on the dance floor and having fun. Earlier, there was the "Electric Slide", and then followed by the "Wild, Wild West" led by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. "Wild, Wild West" is a terrific addition to the "Ice Breaker". It is a partner dance and a fun, fun, fun dance. Social dancing continued to closing.
