WOW! What a tremendous and electrifying showcase Hawaii Gardenia Circle hosted Saturday night at the Palladium. Gayle Kawahakui and committee did not spare anything to bring a dance exhibition showcase and a dance competition in one program under one roof and in one evening. My main squeeze and I got to the Palladium shy of 7PM. General dancing was in full swing since 6PM and I gotta tell you; the dance floor was already filled with dancers burning the floor to the upbeat music from the collection of DeeJay Bert Burgess.
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| DeeJay Bert Burgess |
Lani and I gotta mention our appreciation to Aiea Ballroom Dance Club Prez Deanie Bates for giving up her seats for Lani and me. What a gracious gesture from a gracious lady! Thank you, Deanie.
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Deanie Bates with Bert Burgess
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The program lady emcee was Shari Berinobis who welcomed owners/teachers of professional dance studios and presidents and representatives of the various dance organizations. Among the professionals were Mr. Geoffrey Fells, Mr; Albert Franz, Sergio and Renna Villanueva, Carlos Chang, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Divino Ritmo Dance Lucas Jaime.. My apology if I missed any professionals.
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| HGC Host Gayle Kawahakui and Lady EmCee Shari B. |
Greeting us at the door was the prez of Hawaii Gardenia Circle and the lovelies at the reception table.
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| The lovelies: Beverly, Eileen, and Diane |
The program started at 7:45PM featuring the showcase of dance exhibitions. There were some group performances as well as solo performances.
After the showcase of exhibition dance performance, there was a short break for general dancing.
The Latin dance competition started with a parade of the various dance clubs and schools participating in the competition.
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Calvin & Debra Ota leading the group of competitive dancers
from various dance clubs and schools. |
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| Sergio & Renna Villanueva Dance Appeal competitive dancers |
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| Competitive dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Studio |
The Latin dance competition commenced with the Cha Cha Cha first. There were eight dances in which the dancers were competing in. They were the Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Bolero, Mambo, Paso Doble, Night Club 2 Step, and East Coast Swing.
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| Dancing the Cha Cha Cha |
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| Dancing the Rumba |
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| Dancing the Samba |
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| Dancing the Bolero |
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| Dancing the Mambo |
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| Dancing the Paso Doble |
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| Dancing the Night Club 2 Step |
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| Dancing the East Coast Swing |
Not everyone competed in all eight dances. The dancers chose which dances they wanted to compete in. However, it was a spectacular showcase of exhibition dancing, and competitive dancing. Colorful and electrifying and most of all it displayed the art of entertaining. Kudos to Gayle Kawahakui and her committee, and to all the participants in the dance exhibition and dance competition showcase..
Social dancing continued till closing.
View videos of the HGC Latin Festival at Frank Sierra Jr. FaceBook.com, ibdi clubhi FaceBook.com, or Hawaii Gardenia Circle Latin Festival 2017 YouTube.
