Photo Chapter of the Nifty 50s/60s/70s Oldies Bash Sock Hop 2013

Chairman  Wendell Kwan

DeeJay Doug Oshiro

1 of 3 Huge Video Screens

Guy's Costume Contest





Gals Costume Contest

Our former Dance Instructors

Our former Dance Students

Our Friends from Aiea
Ballroom Dance Club



Our Friends from International
Ballroom Dance Inc.

Thanks for taking the time to read our
blog and looking over the photos. 

Never Ending Story

Oldies Bash Sock Hop 2013

It was Shake, Rattle & Roll at the Nifty 50s/60s/70s Oldies Bash Sock Hop last night at the Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom. The Hop was soldout many months ago due to its popularity and mostly through the hard working Chairman (Wendell Kwan) and his Committee Members (Tony Caluya, Floence Hayashi, Ann (Nosaka) Kabasawa, Charlene (Sakai) Kwan, Phil Nakayama, Dianne (Kawakami) Okumoto, Sharon (Young) Uesugi, and Diane (Hayamizu) Yoshida. Clearly, there were at least 800 Senior Teenagers in attendance if not more, to relive those classic golden oldies of the Rock & Roll era. (Left click on photo to zoom in)

I'm gonna flashback for a minute here.  Last night's Bash was the 7th and it seems to get bigger each succeeding year. If my memory serves me well, Lani and I have been to the last three Sock Hops and we've enjoyed everyone of them.
We got to the Pacific Beach Hotel about an hour before the doors were opened at 5PM. I thought we'd beat the crowd by going early to be sure of finding a parking spot. I guess others had the same notion 'cause when we got to the Grand Ballroom, the foyer was SRO and it was a tight squeeze getting to the Reception Table. However there were a lot of Senior Teenagers socializing...Lani with Florence Hayashi and later Tony Caluya from Frankfurt American HS came over for a friendly chat. The foyer was buzzing with friendly faces and a lot of them were having that "Green River" beverage as refreshment. Many of the gals were dressed like "Bobby Soxers" and the guys not so much. Outside the Ballroom were filled with decorations and memorabilia of the Rock & Roll years....da old jukebox, pictures of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, etc. The entrance to the Ballroom was decorated with arches.

  Inside the Ballroom was decorated with colorful balloons large and small and the stage looked like a scene from a fairytale.

Our assigned table was fully decorated with colorful balloons and cardboard Ford cars filled with candies and chewing gum. I didn't take a good look at the candy and gum wrappers until I got home. Wow! they were da kine sold during the 50s and 60s...Beeman Gum, Chiclets, Candy Cigarettes, Sugar Daddy, Mary Janes (not da smoking kine), Necco, Clarks Gum, Tootsie Roll to name a few. What a brilliant idea to help criusing back to memory lane. Our table was at the edge of the dance floor which gave us a good view of the dance floor, the stage, and the DeeJay's nest.

Music was played by DeeJays Doug Oshiro and his lovely wife Lisa of Tapestry Karaoke & Sound. Doug Oshiro doesn't only spin the music disc but he also sings as he did last night at the Bash. Doug's voice is so mellow that you'd think it was one of the crooners on the disc singing the song.

The beat of da Mash Potato, Cha Cha, Rock& Roll, and da Twist continued on as more dancers filled the dance floor. Talk about dancing on the edge of the dance floor. There must've been at least three hundred gyrating dancers on the dance floor and some never left after the music ended. It was energy abound that generated throughout the Ballroom.

At about 6PM, Chairman of the Bash Wendell Kwan welcomed all the Senior Teenagers and presented the Committee Members...a remarkable group of tireless volunteers who designed and help make each years Bash a successful one.

EmCee for the event was the extremely talented and funny OC16 TV personality Champ. He was hilarious dishing out some humorous wisdom that tickled the funny bone and kept the program moving with much enthusiasm and anticipation.

Invocation was said by Sharon Feetham and then it was time to hit the buffet line. At da Hop, dance music continued throughout the dinner period as well as after.

A surprise guest, Melveen Leed entertained us belting out one of her new CD tunes "One Note Samba". The rendition has a swinging tempo that it tempted some dancers to Rock & Roll to it. Ms Leed was so powerful in that song that she was asked to do another number that brought more dancers onto the dance floor.

Guest Music DeeJay Uncle Tom Moffatt stirred up the emotions and excitement as he did many years ago as a radio DeJay with jive jumping tunes and some slow romantic ones. Recently Uncle Tom had undergone two hip replacement operation but that enticing voice was still operational. And with including audience participation into the very song that's been played, it's no wonder everyone enjoyed his presence.
And the beat goes on till it was time for the Dance Contest. It turned out to be a swift dance marathon. Ay Caramba! But you know Lani; she was born to dance and she had warned me earlier that she was gonna dance my A** off tonight. There were about twelve couples entered for this grueling competition. On tap were Da Mash Potato, Rock & Roll, Cha Cha, Waltz, and more Rock & Roll. I think there were eight tunes played and most of the couples dropped out slowly leaving five couples to contest for the 1st place prize.

Unfortunately, I developed a leg cramp and had to drop out half way through the last dance. Auwe! But fortunately, Lani and I were among the last five couples on the floor and that got us the 5th place prize.

Concluding the program was the Costume Contest for Guys and Gals. First was the Gals; all twenty-two dressed like they would going to Prom Night in the 50s and 60s..beautiful and very colorful.
There were no Fonzi look-alike this year for the Guys. Only eight Guys entered the contest but they sure entertained the audience with their gyration to the music. Among them were a well dressed Gangster with a toy machine gun, a Hippie dressed in Hippie costume, a Ball Player, and a few dressed  like Sylvester Stallone.

The Table Centerpiece was awarded to the person holding a red cardboard car, and the battery operated rose decor was awarded to the persons holding a yellow, and a pink cardboard Ford sedan.
It was another enjoyable Nifty 50s/60s/70s Oldies Bash Sock Hop for my main gal and me and we are looking forward to next years amazing Sock Hop. Upon leaving the Grand Ballroom, everyone received a music CD with 27 tunes from the 50s/60s and 70s. With the CDs, Centerpiece, the rose decor, and 5th place prize, it was time to call it a fantastic evening and hit the road back home.
Last dance was at 12AM.

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)

IBDI 4th Term Student Party 2013

IBDI celebrated their 4th Term Student Party last night at the Palladium. It was a special night for the students to display what they had learned during the preceding 7 weeks. For Lani and me, we take it as a measuring stick to see if we had done a good enough job in teaching the American Cha Cha. It was also an evening when all the dance instructors were to demonstrate the dance they will be teaching during the 5th Term.  There were a couple substitute teachers doing the dance demonstrations because the regular teachers couldn't be there that night and that was a relief for those who programmed the Student Party.
General dancing was already on when Lani and I entered the Ballroom. Most of the dancers had already chowed down their dollar bento and enjoying dancing to the music.
The program opened with calling of lucky numbers for door prizes. Then it was time for the students to demonstrate what they had learned. IBDI Prez Chris Jay called each group to the floor starting with George Suetsugu's Int'l Rumba I students, and down the list of students from Jim Prado's American Waltz I, Frank & Lani Sierra's American Cha Cha I, Ernie & Karen Choy's Int'l Tango II, Ed & Matilda Felix's Int'l Foxtrot, and Robert & Vanelle Hirayasu's Argentine Tango.  I thought everyone did good in their respective dance.
The dance teachers' demo followed right after a short call for lucky number door prizes. George Suetsugu was up first with the Int'l Cha Cha I, followed by Ed & Candy Matsuda (substituted for Jim Prado) with American Waltz II, Frank & Lani Sierra with Bolero, Ernie & Karen Choy with Int'l Waltz, Candido & Yvonne Jorge-Cuan (substituted for Ed & Matilda Felix) with Int'l Rumba I & II, and Glenn Okazaki & Ann Ho with Int'l Quickstep I.  The dance teachers also did very well in the demos.
Another call for lucky numbers for door prizes followed and by sheer luck I had a lucky number ticket that garnered me a beautiful flower plant for my main squeeze Lani.
The program ended with a guest performance by Brian Wong and Syd Canoy-Wong from Los Angeles. The couple danced the Cha Cha Cha that delighted the audience with some tricky patterns. With the loud applauses, it's fo' sure the audience appreciated their performance.
General dancing continued till closing but for Lani and me, it was time to hit the road back home and enjoy our dollar bento.
(Please click on That's Dancing on the side bar for photo info on IBDI 5th Term dance schedule).

Ballet @ The HBDA Masquerade Ball

Just musing, again! My photo archive has got so many memories of the fun days performing with friends for the Masquerade Ball that I'm gonna share this last one with you before all the big events that's scheduled for the "spook" month of October comes about. Okay, we're back in the 80's and the "think tank" at Hawaii Kai Chapter figured that it's time to go to the edge to present another entertaining number for the Masquerade Ball. The "Evolution of Rock" in 1982 was the first and most innovative performance presented by our Chapter. It featured the Charleston of the 1920s choreographed by Lani, a Comical Hula choreographed by Roy Nakamura, the Rock & Roll choreographed by Bob Furukido, and the Popping by Frank. That year, the "think tank" thought a "Comical Ballet" number would garner tear jerking laughters from the audience. Well, it sure did especially for the ballerinas..with a whole bunch of whistles and applause, too, that echoed throughout the ballroom. "Comical Ballet" performed to the tune "Mid Summer Night's Dream" was an entertaining success and much credit goes to choreographer (former) Darleen Yap. Performers were (ballerinas) George & Jean Ogata, and Harold Kim, (ballet dancer) Gil Ammons, (ballet prince) Lani, and (supporting cast) Christy Ammons, MaryAnn Yokoyama, and (unknown cast member). Dat's da musing fo' now.       

Choreographer Darleen Yap with
"Comical Ballet" Performers

 

Flash Dance @The Masquerade Ball

Hit movies like CHORUS LINE, FOOT LOOSE, STAYING ALIVE, and FLASH DANCE were inspirational for our Hawaii Kai Chapter. We had already done EVOLUTION of ROCK in the '82 Masquerade Ball. There were 15 members who were young then with an enormous amount of "go energy". The "think tank" in the group came up with "how about doing a Jazz dance this time for the Masquerade Ball?" No opposition to the idea. Everyone was in favor of the idea. Fortunately, someone in our Chapter knew a Jazz dance teacher (Salome Sato). It was the year 1983 and so far nearly every other Chapter performed a skit at the annual HBDA Masquerade Ball for prize money. The Hawaii Kai Chapter wanted to be innovative again and do something that had never been done before. We were fortunate to have Salome Sato, an energetic Jazz dance teacher to choreograph "Flash Dance" for us. We practiced  3 to 4 times a week and must have performed well at the Masquerade Ball because we were invited to perform "Flash Dance" at the Chinese Chamber Mandarin Ball, and at the Wheeler Army Officers Club that year.

Choreographer Salome Sato (front center)
and Hawaii Kai Flash Dance Jazz Dancers

Rx Dance: Exercise That Don't Feel Like Exercise

Excerpts from the AARP Bulletin/Real Possibilities by Margery D. Rosen who is a freelance writer specializing in health and psychology. "Dancing is fun and something most people can do. Besides giving you a great cardio boost, dance strengthen the bones, works all the major muscle groups, builds stamina and improves balance, coordination and flexibility. Also, if you learn new steps and dance with a partner, you banish loneliness and ramp up brain power by combining two other key elements of brain health: learning new things and socializing. Feeling rusty? Check out the dance classes offered at your YMCA or senior center (or at the Palladium); you may be surprised at the variety. Learning new moves, or refreshing old ones, challenges your brain and builds new connections".

WOW! Dat's some strong Rx Dance. Being in da 50s/60s/70s and even 80s diamond jubilee age is not old to be fierce as a tiger on the dance floor. If you can walk, you can dance, too!

"Evoluton of Rock"

Popping Dancers

It was for the HBDA Masquerade Ball 1982 that Hawaii Kai Chapter officers and members decided to showcase an entertaining performance instead of the usual ballroom dancing and skits that was seen year after year. Entertainment was our goal! Rewind to a few months before the Masquerade Ball. Lani and I vacationed at DisneyLand and saw the musical show dubbed "Evolution of Rock".  It was a colorful showcase of dancers and live band going from the early form of dancing to the Rock & Roll Era. The show was so awesome that Lani and I brought the idea back to our Hawaii Kai Chapter. It was accepted with enthusiasm to the max. The groundwork was set but we wanted to have our own identity instead of following a DisneyLand concept. As I remember, this was the first time we performed without the guidance of a Rotating Instructor. It was hard work but fun (even when I had my face painted white during dress rehearsal), and although we sought to do the dances well, the goal was still to provide entertainment. On the agenda we had dancers doing the Waltz, Comical Hula, Rock & Roll, Disco, Bebop, Charleston, and Popping. The costumes that the dancers wore were colorful and complimented the style of dance. It went over big time that night with lots of applause, whistles, approval shouting, and especially laughter for the three popping dancers.  I think Hawaii Kai Chapter changed the landscape for the Masquerade Ball showcase that night in 1982. We had reached the goal to entertain and that was  "mission accomplished".
Dat's all fo' now.



"The Evolution of Rock" Dancers-Hawaii Kai Chapter

The Rock 'N' Rollers of 1988

I was going through my photo archive to delete some photos that's been sitting and collecting dust (so to speak). Then I came across this photo taken in 1988 and sparked my main squeeze Lani in it with the Rock 'N' Roll dancers. This was one of three exhibitions that I did not appear dancing with Lani. (The other two were the Hula for HBDA, and the Hip Hop for another dance organization). It's been many many moons since I laid eyes on this photo and that got me musing once more.

It was the vintage year 1988 when HBDA introduced Rock 'N' Roll in their curriculum as a pilot program. It served as a prelude to showcasing a Rock 'N' Roll dance exhibition in their 29th Anniversary Ball. The special performance was dubbed "A Rock 'N' Roll Escapade"  and was choreographed by the late Evelyn Cummings who was a talented HBDA Rotating Instructor. Quoting from an article by Sim Redona, "this action packed special is composed of hard core Rock 'N' Rollers...ten sexy chicks and only three foxy dudes...Gutsy Thirteen!...assembled from Ala Wai, Kaimuki, and Hawaii Kai Chapters". Lets see if my memory serves me well. The guys were Calvin, Joe, and Jerry. The gals were Terri, Jane, Francine, Faye, Kathy, Diane, Ann, Yvonne, Patsy, and Lani. Okay fast forward to 2013. Twenty five years has gone by since "A Rock 'N' Roll Escapade" wowed the audience at the anniversary ball but I gotta say that I've seen some of those dancers in the photo frequent the Palladium and they are still in Grade A shape and dancing with vigor. Goes to show that "dancing is good for you. It keeps you young and healthy".  (Left click on photo to zoom in).

Hawaii Gardenia Circle Anniversary Dance 2013 -Revisited

We're back on....had to pull this blog off the air to make some corrections emailed to me by Gayle.  

 

HI Frank,
Thank you for the lovely article in your blog ..... and great pictures .... thanks so much. Hope you and Lani had a good time. I am glad you were able to get the names from Rogert Izumigawa but there is an error to the Professional dancers - Jerry Magiera is a student of Gisella West. The Professional that danced with Gisella West the Cha Cha Cha and Bolero was JACOB HIMOTO.... Is there a way a correction be made?! Thank you!!!

Aloha and see you soon,

Gayle

 

Thank you, Gayle for the tip. I revisited the blog and made an amendment to identify Jacob Himoto as the professional from the Arthur Murray Dance Center who performed the Cha Cha and Bolero dance exhibition with professional Gisella West.  My sincere apology to Jacob for the misidentification.

 

SMASHING! JUST SMASHING! That's the British Isle's lingo for a Blockbuster of a program that featured the Hawaii Gardenia Circle Anniversary Dance with talent from the Arthur Murray Dance Center, the Dance Appeal Studio, and individuals from the various dance organizations here on Oahu this past Saturday at the Palladium. It was a terrific event that concluded the three awesome anniversary balls (Dance Magic 808, IBDI , and Hawaii Gardenia Circle) for the month of August.

Lani and I got to the Palladium a little after 6:30
which was the scheduled time that the doors will be open to the ballroom but already the trademark music of Henry Lee and Jane Umeda was booming to the Swing tune and dancers were burning the Ewa end floor. Boy! their selection of danceable music was sweet to the ears and tempting for the dancing feet. We were greeted at the door by Hawaii Gardenia Circle 1st VP David Mayman, and Helene Tombelaine at the Reception Table. A handshake and a cordial smile and Lani and I were off to our favorite seating area but alas some dancers had already kapu the seats. No time to go huhu 'cause the music was tempting to the dancing  feet   ... didn't get to put on my good dancing shoes 'cause my main squeeze was there to dance and I got pulled to the hard wood floor.

Fortunately we found a couple of seats but that was suitable only to take a short breather between dances and during the showcase part of the program.

General dancing continued till about 8 o'clock when EmCee Roger Izumigawa opened the program with a Welcome Message then introduced VP David Mayman who also welcomed everyone. There were several presidents of other dance organizations and professional teachers of private dance studios in attendance. VP Mayman introduced all of them by calling out their names. A special award was given to Annie Ferguson with a flower lei presented by Gayle Kawahakui. Annie has been a dynamo in ticket sales for many dance events at the Palladium and at the Pacific Beach Hotel and has been instrumental in bringing more people to the dances.

The showcase opened with an exciting Cha Cha dance exhibition by Arthur Murray Dance Center professionals Jacob Himoto and Gisella West. Their Cha Cha portrayed some pretty wild moves and if it was meant to tell a story of a jungle princess flirting with danger, Jacob and Gisella put on a good show. It was a dynamic performance that's rarely seen in local showcases. After a quick costume change, Jacob and Gisella continued with the sultry Bolero. It sizzled with enticing moves that were playful and was well perfomed.
Presenting the awards to Jacob and Gisella were Gayle and grandson Jordan Kawahakui.



Okay, dancing is dancing and Hula is no exception. It was a wonderful addition to the showcase. Gardenia Circle brought in Leilani Soon to perform the hula which was danced to Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are". Leilani is a former Narcissus 2nd Princess, Miss Hawaii Chinese Queen, and Miss Hawaii International. She is a professional dancer trained in ballet, and hula. She had grace and good showmanship. Presenting the award to Leilani was Gayle Kawahakui.

Then it was time for the Grand Ball ala Mock Competition. All the dancers were introduced as they entered the ballroom floor by EmCee Roger Izumigawa. There were so many of them that if I missed mentioning a name...my deepest apology. The individual couples were Sydney Chu & Patricia Paliracio, Mike & Lorrie Chun, Ivan John & Nancy Luckie, James & Annie Kwock, Richard & Lynn Nakamura, Ravi Narayan & (daughter) Prita Narayan, and Calvin & Debra Ota. From Dance Appeal Studio were Ikaika Villanueva & Brandee Nakamura, Ted & Lyn Sodaria, Renna Villanueva with Richard Schiff & David Carvalho, and Sergio Villanueva with Barbara Kaneshiro, Susan Hiwa, Eleyne Fia & CoraleeHarai. From the Arthur Murray Dance Center of Hawaii were Rose Lau & Levi Mott, Jessica Dzienkowski & Tony Gantner, Lance Sabado & Rose Lau, Gisella West & Jerry Magiera, and Jacob Himoto with Tessie Cabral, Emily Hackworth, Stella Amion & Yaprak Onat.

The Grand Ball started with the Foxtrot. There were so many variations in this dance but it was easy to pin point the American Style and the International Style, and the fusion of both dances. Although EmCee Roger Izumigawa encouraged the audience to "call out your favorite couples" in the mock competition, it was difficult to choose. Everyone danced like winners.

Then came the Tango. This one was purely International Style and danced with the dramatic moves of the dance. Very well done by all the participants.

No doubt the next dance was the Quickstep. It was racey and performed with breakneck speed and finesse.

The Waltz that followed was unquestionably a potpourri of American Style and International Style with a touch of fusion of both just like the Foxtrot. The blend was enjoyable to watch.

The Viennese Waltz concluded the Grand Ball. It had speed, grace, and beautifully done.

The youngest dancers in the Grand Ball were Prita Narayan who danced with her dad Ravi, and Ikaika Villanueva and Brandee Nakamura. Several "Ironmen" as I refer to them becauce of their vim  and vigor and who danced with more than one lady partners. They were Sergio Villanueva who danced with the ladies from Dance Appeal Studio: Barbara Kaneshiro (Quickstep), Coralee Harai (Foxtrot), Susan Hiwa (Waltz), and Eleyne Fia (Tango); Jacob Himoto who danced with the ladies from Arthur Murray Dance Center: Tessie Cabral (Waltz and Viennese Waltz), Emily Hackworth (Tango), Stella Amion (Foxtrot), and Yaprak Onat (Quickstep). The ladies had some "Wonder Women" also. Renna Villanueva who danced with Robert Schiff (Waltz, Foxtrot, and Qickstep), and David Carvaiho (Tango); and Rose Lau who danced with Levi Mott (Foxtrot), and Lance Sabado (Waltz and Tango)

This year's Hawaii Gardenia Circle Grand Ball had the most colorful costumes and the ladies looked beautiful and elegant. The men were just as suave. The program was well organized and EmCee Roger Izumigawa kept it moving smoothly from beginning to end. Awards were given to all the participants in the Grand Ball as they were individually called to the dance floor for final curtain.

General dancing continued as presale ticket holders filed out of the ballroom for refreshment on the lanai. My sincere thanks to EmCee Roger for sharing his list of names of the dancers who participated in the Grand Ball.

It was an event filled with magnificent showcase entertainment, and good dancing to Henry and Jane's best selection of  dance music. Refreshments were served to presale ticket holder on the lanai. General dancing continued till 9:30 but for Lani and me, it was time to hit the road back home and dig into the ono dim sum refreshment. Dat's all fo' now.