Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society 39th Inaugural Ball

It was a packed house when Lani and I got to the Palladium for the Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society Inaugural Ball last Saturday. Outside on the lanai, guests were munching their bento dinner. Lights were turned off in the lanai and the glow from the inner ballroom lights gave the lanai like a nightclub atmosphere. Roy Hamasaki and Rudy Luat (Pan Pacific Prez) were near the bento serving line greeting guests as they arrived.

Inside the ballroom, dancers were already swinging to the Jive to DeeJay George Suetsugu music. Most of the seats were "kapu" but JoElla who plays the Bolero music when Lani and I teach for IBDI on Monday nights had held two seats for us. Much thanks, JoElla.

General dancing continued to about eight o'clock. EmCee for the program was Kay Yahiku, a dynamic
personality that is no stranger to the various dance clubs in Honolulu.  She has EmCeed for a majority of those dance clubs. A good number of representatives from the various dance organizations and professional dance studios were in attendance and were introduced.

Rudy Luat who has been Pan Pacific's Prez for more years than I can remember welcomed everyone to open the official part of the program.

Installation of officers and directors soon followed. Officers installed were Prez Rudy Luat, VP Eric Brienzo, Sec. Wally Nakagawa, Treas. Matilda Feliz, Auditor Amy Lau, and Dance Director Ed Felix. General Dancing continued till Show Time at 8 o'cl;ock.

I'm thankful to Kay Yahiku who shared her program notes and the names of the Showcase dancers with me.














The Showcase opened with Lucas Jaime's Novice Ensemble comprised of three couples from Divino Ritmo Dance Studio.


The multi-talented dancers danced a swinging number as an introduction to the JIVE performance by Lucas Jaime and Ms. Bella Boyer.


Continuing the high energy of dance sport-style dancing soon followed with Ed and Remy Brion from Divino Ritmo Dance Studio with their rendition of the JIVE.



Rolly and Gloria Padasdao from Divino Ritmo Dance Studio came on next with the WALTZ.

 The next couple to perform are also students of Divino Ritmo Dance Studio. Paul and Marie Laderta dance the BOLERO.




The closing number was a MEDLEY choreographed by Ed and Matilda Felix and performed by the Pan Pacific Formation Team. The dancers were Eric and Luby Brienzo, Robert and Amy Lau, Jim and April McConnell, and Ed and Matilda Felix.

 

The Showcase performers were called to the dance floor and presented with gifts at the end of the program.

A WALTZ SNOWBALL followed with Board members and Showcase performers. This "ice-breaker" dancer brought a good number of dancers onto the dance floor.

General dancing continued with some dancers heading for refreshment.

With our bento and cream puff refreshment, it was time for Lani and me to hit the road back home. It was an enjoyable night of dancing for us. It was a large crowd dancing and celebrating Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society Inaugural Ball but we got to burn the floor, too.
(Left click on photo to zoom in)