DRD 7th Annual Grand Ball & Showcase

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.

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.

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).

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.

EmCee Justin Cruz

Tahitian Dancers from Te Ori Tahiti Here

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.

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.

Aurora Sera with Lucas Jaime

A Hip Hop solo dance performed by Hi Frequency-School of Performing Arts came on next. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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"

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.

David Easa with Yanna Samkova

Rea Cormick danced with Lucas Jaime the Theatrical Showdance Rumba to the '50s hit "Crazy" by Lara Fabian.

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.

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.

DRD Keiki & Teen Dance Troupe

 Anna Mae Schwartz danced the American Bolero/Mambo Medley with Lucas Jaime to the '50s "Donna" and "La Bamba".

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.

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".

Stacie Yochinaga with Lucas Jaime

 
DRD Novice Ensemble members Robert Holsen and Yumi Hi performed a routine
choreographed by coach and teacher Lucas Jaime.

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".

Bella Boyer with Lucas Jaime

William Landers danced with Yanna Samkova to the '50s "Jail House Rock" by Elvis Presley, This was his first appearance at DRD Showcase.

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.

Noreen Ho with Lucas Jaime

 Guest Performers Glenn Okazaki and Ann Ho from USA Dance performed the International Waltz.

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.

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.

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".

TANGO: Marie Laderta with Lucas Jaime

HUSTLE: Marie Laderta with Lucas Jaime

Award Ceremony soon followed for all the performers in Act One and Act Two.

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.

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 

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.
  

A Taste of Bachata

WOW! Pepe has blown the lid on a bit of history and dance rhythm and steps on the BACHATA. Click on Town Dancer in the side bar for a taste of the dance BACHATA.

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IBDI 2016 First Term Classes and Workshop

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A Tale of "Dancing In The Dark(side)"

WOW! 2015 has been a whirlwind year with all the dance events and showcases played at the Palladium, the Sheraton Hotel, and the Pacific Beach Hotel. The shows were spectacular, colorful, and some had that magic touch of entertainment which made them more enjoyable to watch. Which brings me back to a tale imagined many moons ago. It was way back at the dawn of dance. There was no Palladium nor any fancy hotels to put up a show and dance event.....just a nice open area in the deep forest. Some akamai chief of a native tribe decided to have a dance showcase after watching his people jump with Jive, Hip Hop with Break Dancing, and Partner Dancing with Smooth and Rhythm drum tunes. He was very proud of them. So he turned the warriors' playground into a Palladium-like-ballroom and sent runners throughout the kingdom to invite the neighboring Chiefs and their tribe to come to his showcase. Now this Chief was no rookie...he made sure that there was an admission fee at the entrance to his forest kingdom showcase. There was a feasting before the show and anyone who paid the runner for prepaid admission got a nice plate of bento. During those early dawn of dance, there was no such thing as money....payments were made with livestock and fruits and vegetables. No one paid more and no one paid less. Everyone was treated at an equal level. There was no such thing as a chair so accommodations were the bare ground covered with soft leaves but it was open to everyone who paid to get in. It was pretty good going until some natives decide to make some good sitting spots reserved for special friends. Then all of a sudden there were leaves with the scribbled word "KAPU" on those reserved spots. The powers-to-be saw what was happening but turned a blind eye. So now not all paid guests were at an equal level. There was now a higher level of guests called VIPs and a lower level of guests called the spectators.  The chief who was putting on the show made sure that there were lighted torches around the Palladium-like-ballroom since the showcase was gonna be held during the night. He had his followers install torches all over the Palladium-like-ballroom and when that was done, he was satisfied. Show time came and all the torches were lighted. All the Chief's male dance performers were handsomely attired in colorful costumes and the women were just as beautifully dressed in costumes that made the ladies of the visiting tribes envious. Just as ACT ONE got under way, a strong wind came over the forest and blew out the flames of the torches that were hanging in the middle and south side of the Palladium-like-ballroom. That made it the darkside of the Palladium-like-ballroom but still the show had to go on. Most of the performers were akamai. When they noticed the darkside, they danced where there were more lights. That was a real treat for the guests and more important it displayed the talents of the dancers and their skills in floorcraft. As for the others, they blindly or unconsciously performed in the darkside which masked their talent and skills. AUWE! However the Chief was so proud of his showcase performers that it never occurred to him to light the blownout torches again. As it went in ACT TWO and ACT THREE, the akamai performers danced in the lighted area and the not-so-akamai performers continued to dance in the darkside. AUWE! And the practice of the akamai dancers and not-so-akamai dancers continued for centuries and some who danced in the darkside even made it a point to perform facing only the VIPs. AUWE! As the pages of time continued to flip each passing year there came a light at the end of the tunnel. It was nearing the close of year 2013, when the International Ballroom Dance Inc. put on a Holiday Celebration featuring Divino Ritmo Dance Formation Team and Junior Pro/Am, and Dance Appeal Group, some noticeable small changes were made.....like performing facing a larger audience of spectators and performing mainly in the bright lighted areas of the Palladium. As this tale of Dancing In The Dark(side) comes to an end, the Moral of this story is: To have some value of entertainment and audience appreciation, and if you want to show your talents in Dance Performance and Skill in Floorcraft, you gotta "Dance In The Light(edside)". Pau fo' now!

Happy Holidays!

ALOHA BALL 2015

Hi Frank,

Here it is. Photos to follow - some photos from my camera, some from Jackson Cho with his permission to post on your blog.

Marie and Paul Laderta

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Aloha Ball 2015

The weekend of our neighbor island escape finally came after weeks and months of anticipation. We were all abuzz at Divino Ritmo dance studio for  Friday dress rehearsal, readying ourselves for this one-day competition in our Kona backyard.

Jackson Cho with Ally

In my mind, I was psyching myself up for a test of endurance on the dance floor. I told myself, I had to keep calm, focused & collected. Do what I can, and enjoy the moment. I competed all Pro-am at this comp and was thankful to have my teacher Lucas Jaime there to hold  my hand.

October 25th marked the second year of ballroom legends, Ron Montez & Tony Meredith's Aloha Ball at Kona's Sheraton Keauhou Hotel.

Lauren LaPointe
& Marie Laderta

Nestled among lava rocks running along the ocean's edge where Manta Rays make their home, the Sheraton Keauhou was the perfect getaway spot to house this one-day ballroom competition.

Aloha Ball is part of the Paradise Dancesport Tour series.  On its website, Paradise Dancesport Tour introduces its mission and purpose with the following description: The Paradise Dancesport Tour was started by an amateur dance student who recognizes the hard work and dedication it takes not only for the professionals but also the amateurs who spend countless of hours not only on the competitive dance floor but in the studios. Each Dancesport Competition on the Paradise Tour recognizes this and wants to provide you an escape to paradise.  Returning to Aloha Ball to kick off its 2nd year, was none other than the energetic and charismatic organizer, ambassador & patron of the Paradise Dancesport Tour, Lauren LaPointe.

For more information about the Paradise Dancesport Tour series, visit
www.paradisedancetour.com
www.facebook.com/paradisedancetour
info@paradisedancetour.com

DRD "Gang" @ the Great Lawn

Converging at the great lawn by the Manta Ray look-out, Aloha Ball kicked off its competition with a magical sunset reception including island themed drinks of mai tais & chi chi,  ono pupus and of course, no party can be complete without our Hawaiian music and hula.

We were there with our Divino Ritmo teachers, Lucas & Yanna, and the rest of our dance Ohana, playing tourists at the kick-off party, being reminded that we are so lucky to be living in Paradise. This was more than a ballroom comp for us, it was a studio outing, a neighbor island getaway, and holoholo-ing with our dance ohana, a little mini vacation combined with a fun dance experience... What more can us eager ballroom fanatics ask for.... We were giddy with pleasure at the great lawn, hobnobbing with Ron and Tony,  judges,  and fellow competitors....adrenaline was high and in full swing....

Victor Fung & Anastasia

The major attraction this year was undoubtedly the professional showcase featuring mega ballroom stars Victor Fung and Anastasia, world class competitors and Blackpool contenders. It was incredible and a rarity to have Professionals of Victor & Anastasia's caliber perform right in front of our eyes!  Dancing International Standard, with impeccable technique and showmanship, they took our breathe away not just once, but twice, on Oct 24th & 25th as they took the Tango, Foxtrot, Slow Waltz, Viennese, & Quickstep to new heights! Wow wow wee this was what most of us can only dream of, but just witnessing the possibilities was inspiring!

On to the competition floor at the stroke of 8 on Sunday morning. I had arranged for a wake-up call at 5 in the morning, with a half hour extra to snooze...then it was shower, make-up, room service breakfast, hair, and dressing...all in that order. Getting ready takes a good 2 hours, even for hubby Paul without the hair &, make-up...

General Dancing

The 20+ of us competing from Divino Ritmo ranged from first time competitors to more seasoned dancers. Ages ran the gamut, from 14 to 74, and we put out our all. First time competitors held their own, return competitors continued to meet the challenge. Our goal was to dance within our means and challenge ourselves. Our teachers were gratified that we did that.

Some rounds later, coming up for air and still energized for the evening heats, we looked around, gratified to see familiar faces sharing the floor and in the audience. Our customary handful of local amateur dancers from Honolulu
joined us on the floor.

Lucas Jaime & his Students

While Divino Ritmo Pro-am competitors saturated the floor, other local Pro-am contenders included dancers from Arthur Murray Honolulu.

Local presence clearly dominated the competition landscape, with Divino Ritmo taking center stage, making a broad sweep of the Top Awards including Top Teachers, Top Studio and Top Students. We busted okole for this, and distinctly felt the comraderie and joint effort of achievement as a studio.

Like winning any other kind of recreational tournament, it was both exhilarating and humbling to win. A well deserved "pat on the back," "addaboy you done good," never hurt, and is always a good feeling. Certainly Paradise Dancesport Tour Ambassador Lauren LaPointe would agree that all the hard work, from studio to competition floor deserve a good pat on the back!

Awards and trophies this year  featured handcrafted wood plaques designed by Tony Meredith's sister and world

Aloha Ball Awards & Trophies

renowned artist, Regina Antoinette Meredith, using wood from trees grown on their family's plantation in Samoa.

You think it's over with the awards.. Heck no! The day after the comp (Monday) was a day of workshops and coaching. Hubby Paul and I, together with fellow students and competitors, participated in workshops by Tony Meredith, Victor Fung, and Giacomo Steccaglia.  After the workshops, Paul & I went on for some private one-to-one coaching with various Pros.

To top off this "complete" weekend experience, were group photos, a Polynesian show, and a luau fit for Kamehameha...it sure felt good to be treated like Royalty, AND, to stop to appreciate the rich culture of a unique Paradise we call home. 

Amidst the ashes and lava, we danced....and found Paradise.

With Much Aloha & Mahalo,

Marie Laderta

Marie, Tony Meredith,
Yanna, & Paul Laderta

Charlotte & Ed Bugarin,
and Debra & Calvin Ota

ProAM Paul Laderta with Yanna

Marie Laderta with Teacher Lucas

DRD (Divino Ritmo Dance) Formation Team

Debra Ota, Lorrie & Mike Chun

Debra & Calvin Ota

At Tony Meredith's
Formation Workshop

Dance Magic 808 Halloween Ball

Halloween night turned out to be better than expected. Muggy but no rain at least not at the site of the Palladium. Dance Magic 808 had their Halloween Ball last night at the Palladium. A small crowd when Lani and I arrived there at 6:30 but it was no surprise that more dancers started to fill the empty seats in a short time. We've been away from Dance Magic 808 for over a year and last night was a good time to see and renew old friendship. Greeted us at the door was the friendly face of DM808 Prez Lynn Nakamura with a hug, and VP Richard Nakamura who was in custume as a hippee.

The music DeeJays were Mike and Diane Chinen whose choice of
dance tunes were reminiscent of the 50's and 60's era....a lot of Rug Cutting Swing along with a sweet selection of the Tea Dance Waltz, Foxy Foxtrot, Hot Cha Cha, Racy Rumba, Jumbo Mambo, Samba. Qstep, and Tango. Anyone can tell when the music is excellent for dancing when they see the DeeJays get on the floor and dance to their music and that's what Mike and Diane did.


Lady EmCee for the event was Audrey Fu who kept the program moving smoothly...introducing each contestant in the costume contest by name and what their costume signified. Audrey was also in costume
which I thought was as a Charleston Dancer or maybe a Queen of Sheba. Anyway she looked like a person with full authority.




The costume contest got underway at about 8 PM with all contestants lined up near the stage side. I didn't get all their names and the description of their costumes but I'm hoping that someone will recognize them and tell them that they did good. Here are snapshots of most of those who entered the Halloween Costume Contest. (Left click on photo to zoom in)

The contestants walked around the ballroom at least twice with some animating the character they were portraying. The judges huddled with Chief Judge Diane Chinen and they came up with five finalists. All were impressive in their costumes and each one deserve to win first prize but in any contest there's got to be a first place winner. (There were winners in 5th to 2nd place, too.) Here are your winners in Dance Magic 808 Halloween Costume Contest.

5th and 4th Place Winners

5th Place Winner

5th and 3rd Place Winners

2nd Place Winners

1st Place Winners of Dance Magic 808 Halloween Costume Contest

                                   
General dancing continued till closing at 9:30. Onolicious Brownie pastry snack with a lollipop was served on the lanai. Yes, it turned out to be a better night than expected. Lani and I enjoyed the music, the dancing, meeting old friends, and the program which was well organized by the Prez and VP of Dance Magic 808 and the helping hands of its members.

Dance Magic 808 Prez Lynn and VP Richard Nakamura