SRO @Dream To Dance Grand Opening Party

Carlos and Debby Borges Barboza's DREAM TO DANCE dance studio Grand Opening kicked off with a BANG this past Monday night. And a BIG BIG BANG I might say. It was SRO (Standing Room Only). It wasn't hard to find the new DTD dance studio on the 2nd floor of the Palama Fish Market building, given the explicit directions by our host Debby. Parking was no problem since there was ample parking both in the Fish Market lot and across the street. Lani and I got there a bit early and the studio was starting to fill with familiar faces that you come across at the many dance events at the Palladium and the Pacific Beach Hotel.

The Studio has a spacious dance floor, nicely decorated studio 
and air conditioned and with high ceiling fans. Pictures of  
famous dance icons covered the upper walls, and  mirrors 
at each end of the studio and one side of of the studio. The 

   other side has large windows facing the street 

As we found our way to the soft cushioned seats, a lady kept beaming a smile at Lani and me. Mystery woman? Not really... I hadn't seen Noreen Nakamoto, the leader of the WASABI Oldies 50s & 60s Band for quite a spell. It was good to see her again and made small chat. And it was good to see our friends Paul and Marie Laderta from Divino Ritmo Dance there, too.

More guests started to come into the studio and pretty soon it was SRO. Lani and I found a good seat at the edge of the dance floor, next to Ceci and her friend. (Sorry I didn't get his name). Talk about burning the floor! This couple were on the floor constantly and having a good time.

Tape music played on as the live band SON CARIBE was setting up. Our host Debby was busy greeting guests as they entered the studio. A sweet little lady came by and asked us if we wanted to enter the contest for door prizes. No fan fair..just a matter of writing our names on a ticket stub that was deposited in a plastic bowl. The dance floor got crowded as the music..Waltz, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Rumba, Salsa, East Coast Swing, etc. beckoned the dancers to the hard wood floor.

 Then Carlos and Debby came to the microphone and welcomed everyone to the Grand Opening of their new dance studio.

Some notable guest in our dance community huddled before Carlos and Debby as they gave their warm welcome message. Among them were ,Christopher Bayot, Shari B., Doug Kesler, Geoffrey Fells, Marie Laderta, David Easa and friend (I'm gonna get her name one of these days fo' sure).

After the saying of the invocation, it was time to enjoy the festivity with the buffet that covered the long table that stretched from one corner of the room to the other. Kudos to the menu preparator of the ono eats.

Then it was time to PARTY with Son Caribe with HOT SALSA and MORE! The rhythm was da kine that makes the body move the Latino way. Ay Caraba! I've never seen so many different body isolation action done to a 5-minute music. But it was there for all the dancers who dared to get down and d**** and don't mind the sweating. It was night club dancing at its best....Merengue, Cha Cha, Salsa, and Bachata. Some how the Bachata which Lani and I have never learned and danced got under our skin and drew us to the dance floor. I think we got all fired up that it wasn't hard getting into the spirit of the Bachata. It's a fun dance with a lot of "move your body to the rhythm".

 

It was a party to celebrate and enjoy. As an added attraction with music played by Son Caribe, there was an acrobatic show high above the dance floor. It was a spectacular and skillful performance...like watching the reality TV show "America's Got Talent". Dangerous as it seemed, it was entertaining and wow! it was mighty courageous of the performer.

(Left click to zoom in)

The hot sounds of Son Caribe continued to fill the standing room only studio and nearly all the time there was a wall of happy dancers dancing at the edge of the dance floor.

A short break was called to announce the names of the lucky door prize winners. And there were several of them that walked away with Jackets , and T shirts. The biggest prize was worth more than $400.00 credit to be used at the  upcoming Hawaii Star Ball. Guest speaker was David Alvarez for Hawaii Star Ball.

Then the cool madness of Hot Latino music echoed throughout the Dream To Dance Studio and energized more dancers to the dance floor. It was a successful Grand Opening Party of the studio for Carlos and Debby and Lani and I wish them and the Dream To Dance studio continuing success with the "Dream".