No doubt creative planning and hard work makes for a successful and entertaining event. And so it was last Saturday night at the Sheraton Waikiki as Divino Ritmo Dance presented their 7th Annual Grand Ball and Showcase. The theme this year was '50s MEET MOTOWN and true to the theme, the showcase performers danced to the music of the Golden '50s era and hits of the Motown soul. The stage design by Paul Laderta truly pictured the Golden '50s and Motown era. There were many other behind-the-scene volunteers who made this annual event successful. Among them were Jeff Laderta, Barb Laderta, Connie Laderta, Fil Padilla, Elvie Pascacio, Wesley and Sandy Numazu, Marie Laderta, Rolando and Gloria Padasdao, and DRD Directors Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova.
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| Yanna Samkova & Lucas Jaime |
Lani and I got to the Sheraton Ballroom a bit early before the doors opened at 6PM. Our wait was a pleasant one cause it gave us to chat with the Anchetas who we see at some of the hotel dances but never got to make chat with. (I gotta mention here and now that if I miss spelled or have left out the names of some of the people in the following photos, I hope that as Dean Martin sang I don't "Get Kicked In The Head".
It was check-in time and the doors were opened for the guests. At the Check-In Table were DRD Lovelies.
At this time, Lani and I want to thank Paul and Marie Laderta for inviting us as their guests to this 7th Annual Grand Ball and Showcase. We enjoyed the Showcase, dancing to great dance music, and chatting with some of the guests on our table. Social dancing continued till 7PM with the best upbeat dance music by DeeJays from StarPointe Productions.
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| DeeJays: Jessie, Nick, and Nick |
A Welcoming Message by Lucas Jaime followed before the 3-Course Sit Down Dinner. "We extend our warmest welcome and appreciation on this occasion of our 7th Annual Divino Ritmo Dance Grand Ball and Showcase. We anticipate that you will enjoy this evening as a spectacular special event, and hope to inspire new generation of dancers including each and every one of you, to the wonderful world of ballroom dancing. Now, sit back, relax and allow us to take you on a journey back to '50s Golden era of swing and Elvis Presley and unforgettable hits of Motown, soul music with distinct pop influence. Let the journey begin". (excerpts from DRD program magazine).
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| Yanna Samkova & Lucas Jaime |
During dinner we were treated to a lively performance of Tahitian dancing by Te Ori Tahiti Here, and by Augie Rey who belted out tunes that had rhythms of Cha Cha, Swing, Waltz, another Cha Cha, Salsa, and one that sounded like a Filipino Waltz. That sure brought a lot of dancers to the crowded dance floor. EmCee for the evening and Showcase Program was Justin Cruz who has been starring as EmCee for DRD annual showcases for many years. Ever so genial and precise as he is on KHON TV, Justin kept the program moving along with gusto.
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| EmCee Justin Cruz |
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| Tahitian Dancers from Te Ori Tahiti Here |
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| Band Leader & Singer Augie Rey |
'50s MEET MOTOWN
ACT ONE opened with a Group Prelude dancing a lot of Shake, Rattle, and Roll. You know da kine that makes you want to jump in and grind the motion.
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| Group Prelude |
Many of the performers are absolutely debuting first time appearance. So is the case with Aurora Sera who danced the International Rumba/Samba Medley with Lucas Jaime to Motown's "Watcha Gonna Do" by Smokey Robinson.
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| Aurora Sera with Lucas Jaime |
A Hip Hop solo dance performed by Hi Frequency-School of Performing Arts came on next.
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| Hi Frequency |
Another debuting as first time appearance is Kylie Nishida, the current Miss Oahu Filipina 2015 who danced the Cha Cha with Lucas Jaime to Motown tune "BrickHouse" by The Commodores.
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| Kylie Nishida with Lucas Jaime |
Guest Performers Dance Magic 808 Group Formation Dancers danced the Quickstep choreographed by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. Members are Richard & Lynn Nakamura, Ed & Candy Matsuda, Roy & Marsha Ninomiya, Robert & Diana Diana, Ralph Hasegawa & Stephanie Shimizu, Larry Arinaga & Taeko Csigi.
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| Dance Magic 808 Quickstep Group Formation |
Performing American Rumba was Mary Tom with Lucas Jaime to the '50s "Under The Broadwalk" by The Drifters. This was her 4th showcase with DRD.
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| Mary Tom with Lucas Jaime |
Wesley Numazu compete in the local Aloha Ball in all four styles of Ballroom at the local Aloha Ball during the past two years. He danced the American Foxtrot/Rumba Medley with Yanna Samkova to the '50s song "There Goes My Baby" by The Drifters.
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| Wesley Numazu with Yanna Samkova |
Bianca Hyun Paek performed the Argentine Tango with Lucas Jaime. No stranger on the dance floor, Bianca enjoys social and ballroom dancing of all styles. This was her first
appearance at DRD Showcase.
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| Bianca Hyun Paek with Lucas Jaime |
Edwin and Remy Brion danced the International Rumba/Cha Cha to the '50s "On My Own" by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. Coached by Yanna Samkova, this was their 5th DRD Showcase appearance.
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| Remy and Edwin Brion |
Prita Narayan recently competed in the Pro/Am at the Aloha Ball in the International as well as the American style. This was her first solo routine with her teacher Lucas Jaime in the '50s Jive
with some Twisting.
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| Prita Narayan with Lucas Jaime |
DRD Formation Team performed "Motown". Members are Paul & Marie Laderta, Rolando & Gloria Padasdao, Kenji Iwasa & Cammy Divers, Edward Nishimura & Jennifer Lin, and Robert Holsen & Tessdie Cabral.
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| DRD Formation Team |
Shervelle Bergholz had performed with DRD Formation Team in the past. This is her 3rd DRD Annual Showcase dancing with Lucas Jaime to famous tunes by The Temptations "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" , and "Hound Dog"
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| Shervelle Bergholz with Lucas Jaime |
David Easa danced the International/American Waltz Medley with Yanna Samkova to Jerry Vale "Pretend You Don't See Her". Ballroom dancing became a big hobby and part of David's life. He likes to compete at dancesport events in all four ballroom styles.
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| David Easa with Yanna Samkova |
Rea Cormick danced with Lucas Jaime the Theatrical Showdance Rumba to the '50s hit "Crazy" by Lara Fabian.
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| Rea Cormick with Lucas Jaime |
Intermission for Social Dancing. That's my cue to take a break from this blog. (Actually, Lani and I got a dance class to teach tonight. Be back later--as they say in the '50s "See You Later, Aligator!" So keep tuning in for ACT TWO and ACT THREE. Mahalo!) Left click on photo to zoom in.
I'm Back! Intermission is a good time to stretch the legs and do some paparazzi. Here are a few 'persons of interest' who were enjoying the Showcase as well as the dancing.
ACT TWO started with Hiroko Fujiwara performing the Waltz/Cha Cha Medley with Lucas Jaime. It was her first DRD Showcase.
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| Hiroko Fujiwara with Lucas Jaime |
DRD Keiki & Teen Dance Troupe. Teacher: Yanna Samkova. Members are Brooklyn Divers, William Wolfsen, Soho Divers, Prita Narayan, Bella Boyer, Rommel Del Rio, Jaime and Tessie Cabral.
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| DRD Keiki & Teen Dance Troupe |
Anna Mae Schwartz danced the American Bolero/Mambo Medley with Lucas Jaime to the '50s "Donna" and "La Bamba".
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| Anna Mae Schwartz with Lucas Jaime |
Coached and choreographed by Lucas Jaime, Rolando and Gloria Padasdao danced to The Commodores "Three Times A Lady". They have been with DRD for over seven years.
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| Rolando and Gloria Padasdao |
There's always something when action is viewed by video...the moves...the emotions...the techniques...the floorcrafts..the connections of the performers. A Professional Video and Pictures DVD is available for sale of this event. You can place your order at yannajs@gmail.com or phone 808-200-5540.
This was Stacie Yochinaga's second solo routine with Lucas Jaime. They performed to Motown "You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me".
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| Stacie Yochinaga with Lucas Jaime |
DRD Novice Ensemble members Robert Holsen and Yumi Hi performed a routine
choreographed by coach and teacher Lucas Jaime.
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| Yumi Hi and Robert Holsen |
In her 5th DRD Showcase, Bella Boyer danced the American Foxtrot with Lucas Jaime to '50s "Thank Heaven For Little Girls".
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Bella Boyer with Lucas Jaime
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William Landers danced with Yanna Samkova to the '50s "Jail House Rock" by Elvis Presley, This was his first appearance at DRD Showcase.
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| William Landers with Yanna Samkova |
Performing with Lucas Jaime to Motown "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by The Temptations, this was Noreen Ho's 6th DRD Showcase appearance.
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| Noreen Ho with Lucas Jaime |
Guest Performers Glenn Okazaki and Ann Ho from USA Dance performed the International Waltz.
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| Glenn Okazaki and Ann Ho |
Dancing the International Foxtrot Showdance with Lucas Jaime to '50s "Volare" by Bobby Rydell, this was Sandra Kunimoto's 1st DRD Showcase appearance.
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| Sandra Kunimoto with Lucas Jaime |
This was Paul Laderta's 7th showcase appearance with Yanna Samkova and DRD. They danced the International Cha Cha to Motown "Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye.
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| Paul Laderta with Yanna Samkova |
Performing in her 7th showcase with DRD school of dance, Marie Laderta performed with Lucas Jaime a Tango/Hustle Medley to Motown "Deferente".
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| TANGO: Marie Laderta with Lucas Jaime |
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| HUSTLE: Marie Laderta with Lucas Jaime |
Award Ceremony soon followed for all the performers in Act One and Act Two.
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| There were a total of 26 Performances in Act One and Act Two |
Intermission for Social Dancing before the Professional Showcase (Act Three)
The Professional Showcase featured American Smooth Professional United States and World Finalists Yegor Novikov and Alexandra Smirnova. They performed four outstanding and electrifying smooth dances with Divino Ritmo Dance Novice Ensemble performing between each dance.
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Receiving accolades for their performance. Members of DRD Novice Ensemble are:
Robert Holsen, Gary Hsu, Sam Teves, Scott Higgins, Chas Kenessey, Marlon Calventas,
Jonathan Clark Sypert, Ryan Edem, Stacie Yochinaga,,Yumi Hi, Tiera Ashley, Malia Wong,
Jennifer Neskovic, Becky McGarvey, Noelle Tarimoto, Alison Burkhardt, and Soho Divers
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With the curtain closing the final professional performance, social dancing continued till 11:30 PM. But dancing doesn't ever stop for Divino Ritmo Dance. Their Aloha Dancesport Center is open daily and they
have first Thursday each month social dancing at the Cupola.
Hasta la vista for now.
No doubt creative planning and hard work makes for a successful and entertaining event. And so it was last Saturday night at the Sheraton Waikiki as Divino Ritmo Dance presented their 7th Annual Grand Ball and Showcase. The theme this year was '50s MEET MOTOWN and true to the theme, the showcase performers danced to the music of the Golden '50s era and hits of the Motown soul. The stage design by Paul Laderta truly pictured the Golden '50s and Motown era. There were many other behind-the-scene volunteers who made this annual event successful. Among them were Jeff Laderta, Barb Laderta, Connie Laderta, Fil Padilla, Elvie Pascacio, Wesley and Sandy Numazu, Marie Laderta, Rolando and Gloria Padasdao, and DRD Directors Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova.
