HGC Latin Festival 2017

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.

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.

Deanie Bates with Bert Burgess

 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.

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.

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.

Calvin & Debra Ota leading the group of competitive dancers
from various dance clubs and schools.

Sergio & Renna Villanueva Dance Appeal competitive dancers

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.

Dancing the Cha Cha Cha

Dancing the Rumba

Dancing the Samba

Dancing the Bolero

Dancing the Mambo

Dancing the Paso Doble

Dancing the Night Club 2 Step

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.

Go Latin Tonight!

Hawaii Gardenia Circle LATIN FESTIVAL at the Palladium 6PM $10 at door (no refreshment).

SATURDAY SALSA SOCIAL at Atherton YMCA 7PM $10. Please see ibdi clubhi FaceBook for more info on both venues.

That's Dancing Goes To Sleep

IBDI 2nd Term Registration & Free Dance

Happy Birthday, Geoffrey!

IBDI 2017 First Term Student Party

Monday, March 13 marked IBDI first student party of 2017 at the Palladium. Student Parties are held after each term to encourage the students to perform what they had learned during the past seven sessions. Lani and I got to the Palladium about 7 o'clock. Most of the students and instructors had already finished eating their pre-ordered bento and were already on the dance floor moving to the music of DeeJay George Suetsugu. After a while, it was time for the students to take the spotlight and demonstrate the dances they had learned. IBDI Prez Arnold Lee was the emcee for the evening. (You can see some videos of the student performances at the IBDI Face Book). As per tradition, there is always a break from dancing when it was time for door prizes. After that was done, then it was time for the instructors to demonstrate the dances they will be teaching during the 2nd term.

(Left click to zoom in)

Professional Albert Franz demonstrated the International Tango featuring the Spanish Drag with partner Theresa. He also demonstrated the West Coast Swing. You can watch the video of Mr. Franz demonstrating both dances on the IBDI Face Book (ibdi clubhi).

Lani and I demonstrated the Mambo but unfortunately we couldn't do a selfie. But you can view the video of us on the IBDI Face Book (ibdi clubhi).

 Dean Sierra demonstrated the LA Style Salsa with partner Anjanette. During the 1st term, Dean taught the Bachata with three different partners..Anjanette, Katie, and Suzy. All three partners are accomplished Salsa and Bachata dancers.

Thomas Campbell demonstrated the International Waltz II with partner. During the 1st term, Thomas taught International Waltz I. You can view the demo at IBDI Face Book (ibdi clubhi)

Social dancing continued till closing. Registration for the 2nd term is on March 20, 27, and April 3. There will be Free Dance on March 20 & 27 for students who register.

What's Cooking In March?

(Left click to zoom in)

Dance Connection Back Online

IBDI on Web and FaceBook

ALOHA to The Dance Connection

Happy Chinese New Year

Free Keiki Workshop with Ron Montez

VenuesTo Keep You Warm

Paul & Marie Sponsors Another Keiki Workshop

IBDI Dance Schedule Jan., Feb., Mar. 2017

Orchid Isle Ballroom Dance Club New Year Dance

Orchid Isle Ballroom Dance Club in Hilo Celebrates New Year in style!

Featuring Ron Montez and Guest performances by Oahu Studio, Dance Appeal dancers... Professionals Renna & Sergio Villanueva and their Fabulous keikis!

DRD Hosts International Latin Workshops

Divino Ritmo Dance 

hosts

two International Latin Workshops

with visiting Professional Couple

Evgeny Likhachev

&

Mariya Levina

on Sunday January 15th, 2017 

at Aloha Dancesport Center

2pm International Samba

3pm International Cha-Cha

fee: $25 per person per workshop or $40 for both

Youth under 21yr $10 only per workshop

more info or to reserve your spot contact  yannajs@gmail.com

registration starts at 1:45pm,  cash or check payable to Divino Ritmo

IBDI Inaugural & Christmas Ball 2016

IBDI Inaugural & Christmas Ball 2016

It's been a long but enjoyable journey with IBDI during this 2016 year for Lani and me. IBDI started the year with three officers who also served as Directors (Arnold Lee, Diana Vo, and Dana Morey). A few months ago, Dana passed away and Dean Sierra stepped in to fill that position. Going into 2017, IBDI will have a full complement of Officers with Arnold Lee (President/Director 1), Diana Vo (1st Vice President/Treasurer/Social Chair), Thomas Campbell (2nd Vice President/Director), Kathy Uyehara (Secretary/Ticket Chair), and Dean Sierra (Music/Equipment Chair).  IBDI is happy to announce that Professional Albert Franz will serve as Dance Advisor.

This past Saturday, IBDI celebrated Christmas with a Christmas Ball dance, and the installation of Officers/Directors for the 2017 year. My main squeeze and I got to the Palladium about 4:30 to help with the setup before the doors opened at 5:30. Most of the setup was already in place except for a few tables that needed to be in the foyer thanks to the volunteers from other danced organizations that came early to help IBDI. Chairs were already in place along the walls of the Palladium, thanks to David Carvalho. Some of the dance exhibition participants were practicing on the dance floor while Don, Cindy, Kathy, and Joe Lee (IBDI sergeant-at-arms) worked on decorating and setting up the Reception Table. Henry Lee was the Music DeeJay for the evening and his selection of smooth and upbeat music kept the dance floor filled with dancers.

As more guests trickled into the Palladium, the line at the Reception Table kept Don, Cindy, and Kathy mighty busy. Just as busy were the servers at the bento counter with a long line waiting. Thanks to the volunteers from other dance organizations who helped handing out the bento. There were many that jumped in to help but I was only able to get a snapshot of three of them since it was like a revolving door of helpers in the kitchen. (Left click on photo to zoom in).

General dancing was in full swing before the program started with calling of lucky numbers for door prizes. Renna Villanueva from Appeal Dance Studio presided over the evening program as EmCee and kept the program moving along smoothly. She's always been a faithful supporter for IBDI during her tenure as Vice President and Dance Director for IBDI and even after she left IBDI. After Renna introduced the VIPs from other dance organizations, she introduced IBDI Prez Arnold Lee and 1st Vice Prez Diana Vo, Arnold gave the Welcome Message, a short history of IBDI and the direction he will lead this organization during the 2017 year.   

It's becoming the norm having someone sing a song or two at sporting events and I guess ballroom dancing is a sporting event in some way. Linda Batt was introduced and I got to tell you for a little lady, she's got an amazing strong vocal chords. She belted out the Star Spangle Banner, Hawaii Pono'i and The Little Drummer Boy. Wow! what a treat. Then it was time for the installation of Officers and Directors. VIP guest Joe Magaldi presided over the installation and swore in the 2017 Officers and Directors. General dancing resumed with a short break for the second calling of lucky numbers for door prizes. Then it was time for the Showcase part of the program. Since Renna was also to perform in the Showcase, her husband Sergio took over as EmCee to introduce the dance exhibition performers. 

The Showcase included dance performers from Fuego Y Aqua Dancers, Appeal Dance Studio, and Kokohead Dance Studio. Fuego Y Aqua Dancers performed in three exhibition dances. Dario Garcia and Yuki Komiyama taught New York style Mambo and Cha Cha for IBDI during the 4th and 5th Term of 2016. Appeal Dance Studio performed in four exhibition dances which included two exhibitions from Appeal Dance Studio children program.  Concluding the Showcase program were Joe Shorba and student Hami Draper of Kokohead Dance Studio performing the Mambo. It was a fun filled Latin Showcase with colorful costumes, dynamic movements of forms, speed, and balance and the display of playful connection with partners.

More general dancing resumed after the Showcase with spot time allowed for calling of lucky numbers for door prizes, and picture taking with Santa a.k.a. Joe Magaldi. The Officers and Directors thank everyone for coming to the dance and helping to make this event successful.

Merry Christmas, everyone and Hasta la Vista!