Dance Magic 808 Sweetheart Ball

It has been many moons since my main squeeze Lani and I have been to a Dance Magic 808 social dance. But being the month of February and also my birthday, Lani wanted to continue to celebrate it with going dancing at the Palladium. Well, I'm no spring chicken as I'm climbing up the senior ladder to the golden 100 but mind you, I'm not there yet. Since Lani is younger than I am, she's got the super energy to dance all night long and I try to keep up with her the best I can.

It must've been new/renew membership night as I checked in at the reception table. The nice lady asked if I wanted to be a member of Dance Magic 808. There's a lot of benefits available to being a member of a dance club for a year if you plan to be on the dance scene all the time.

The dance music were awesome and dynamic. You know da kine that's non-stop, upbeat, and da kine dat makes you want to dance every song. DeeJays Mike and Diane Chinen have really stepped up on their selection of dance music and sound equipment. Every music that they played echoed throughout the entire ballroom that brought more dancers to the dance floor.  

DeeJays Mike and Diane Chinen

Annie and  Stanley Nakamura were at the Reception Table when I took the following photo and so were Lester and Henrietta Muramoto.

(L)Annie & (R)Stanley Nakamura with friend

Lester and Henrietta Muramoto

 Andy and Monica Pascua, who we met some years ago when we were all teaching dancing for HBDA and later for Dance Magic 808 greeted us as we were looking for a place to sit.

Monica and Andy Pascua

The dance music was non-stop and nearly all the dancers remained on the dance floor but there was still enough space for others to join in.

It was a friendly bunch of dancers that were there this past Saturday and you can't help bumping into some of them like the nice and friendly couple that sat in the row in front of Lani and me. I didn't catch their names but I know they are avid dancers. The Mr. was a little quiet but the Mrs. was high-spirited and started and carried a most interesting conversation with us.

It was about 8 o'clock when Dance Magic 808 President Lynn Nakamura took to the microphone with a welcoming message. She later introduced Audrey Fu as the EmCee for the program. Upcoming events were announced and you can review them by clicking on Dance Magic 808 link at the side bar.

Lady EmCee Audrey Fu

It was a short but enjoyable program. Kim Anderson belted out some tunes and encouraged dancers to get on the dance floor. She's an extraordinary singer with a strong and broad voice range in Broadway and contemporary songs.

Kim Anderson

It was good to see Josh back in the islands that evening and performing an exciting Cha Cha with local gal Jill Tengan. Josh is a successful competitive dancer, dance teacher, and Dancesport Team Leader in Las Vegas.

Josh Manzano and Jill Tengan

 

After the program, it was Refreshment Time with Dance Magic 808 members serving Chicken Long Rice. It was warm and delicious. Found out that the Chicken Long Rice was prepared by Connie Laderta.

Connie Laderta at right

I didn't get to do a lot of the paparrazi thing this time because of the upbeat music calling to my happy feet and of course my main squeeze reminding me that we were there at the Dance Magic Sweetheart Ball to dance our A** Off. Before I sign off, here's a  few more photos taken as Lani and I made our way out of the Palladium.  Hasta la Vista for now!