HKRC Salsa Festival August 10, 2019

Saturday's venue at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community was billed as a Spotlight Management Event featuring Hot Salsa mini-lesson, Salsa Performance by IBDI dance instructors, and dancing to Salsa music. Well with the array of dance music being played and danced to, it might as well be called "A Hot Tropical Night of Latin Dancing". Salsa was just the main feature. Dance instructors Dean and Suzy  made it a full night of Latin dancing which included Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Mambo,  Merengue, and Bachata. 

Cha Cha Demo by Dean and Suzy

When my sweetie and I got to the Ice Cream Parlor that is located in the HKRC Phase 2 building, Dean and Suzy were performing a demo of the Cha Cha to a small group of guests. A little after the start time of 3:30 PM, more guests came into the ice cream parlor and the Salsa lesson started shortly with introductions and a short description about the mini-lesson by Dean.

A Line Dance for footwork and timing to music followed.

The mini-lesson was taught pretty much the way it's taught at IBDI dance classes on Monday nights at the Ala Wai Palladium.....timing to music, footwork, body and arm movements. Then lastly partner dancing to music. Nearly all of the participants got the hang of the dance doing the Salsa with a partner. 

After the mini-lesson, Dean and Suzy danced the Salsa to music as the students watched. No doubt, Salsa have a lot of fancy and intricate movements and I saw that the students picked up some of those movements demonstrated by the instructors by the way they
danced with a partner.

It was a good mix of Latin dancing nearing the end of the festival with the Cha Cha, Rumba, Merengue, Mambo, and Bachata. That kept nearly all the dancers on the floor till closing time at 5 PM.

Suzy Wins a Door Prize

There were a couple breaks taken for Door Prizes, and recognizing and singing "Happy Birthday" to IBDI member Ron, and HKRC employee Celene.

Happy Birthday to Ron and Celene with IBDI Prez Diana

IBDI hosts a social dance each month on the first Sunday at the HKRC but this past Saturday was the first time it held a dance mini-lesson and performance there.  I thought the festival went pretty good and watching the way the students were dancing the Salsa, I'd say that Dean and Suzy did good in teaching and demonstrating the dance.

Mahalo to Lisa K. (HKRC Resident Experience Coordinator) and IBDI President Diana Vo  for coordinating the dance program, to Arnold Lee for bringing, setting up,  breaking down, and hauling away the music equipment, to IBDI Volunteers Arthur, Kathy, and Akira for their assistance,  and to Dean and Suzy for teaching and demonstrating the Salsa, and Cha Cha and leading the other Latin dances.

IBDI Dance Instructors Dean & Suzy

Mahalo, also to photographer Mr. Sukardi for sharing some of the his photos of the Festival posted here. 

Dat's all fo' now and Happy Dancing!

WBDC Wild Wild West Dance

Alma Latino Caliente

Alma Latino Calliente hosted by Aloha Dancesport Center and School of Salsa.

Saturday  August 10, 2019  8PM - Midnight

Aloha Dancesport Center

350 Ward Avenue  Ste. 200

Honolulu, HI  96814

(Flyer courtesy Aloha Dancesport Center and School of Salsa)

Alma Latino Caliente Returns with the Hottest Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cha Cha in Honolulu!
We resume our previous schedule of the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month. Performances and special appearance plus lots of surprises. More Information Coming!
Come joins for a great time and lots of Salsa dancing on the largest and best dance floor in Hawaii!
Admission at Door $15.00 Includes FREE refreshments!
$10.00 for DRD Students, ADC members and School of Salsa students and Members!
All Advance sales $10.00 Please call or post you're coming to reserve price!
There will be a Group class at 8PM more info soon!
Contact Information:
divinoritmo@aol.com
www.alohadancesportcenter.com
Studio 808-200-5540

Arthur Murray Dance Center August Events

Open House Dance Social - Friday August 9, 2019
Are you ready to put a little fun in your life?!?
We are excited to open our doors and welcome you to the magical world of ballroom, latin and social dancing! Dancing is great for your health, and a fun way to meet people in your community or make new friends! This event is FREE for everyone and includes dance demonstrations, group dance lessons, and a professional show!
Light pupus will be provided for your enjoyment. Bring all your friends and we'll see you on the dance floor.
We'll be dancing everything from waltz, foxtrot, tango, swing, salsa, bachata, cha cha, rumba, and more!

See flyers for more info. (Flyers courtesy Arthur Murray Dance Center)

IBDI 58th Anniversary Dance at the Palladium on August 2, 2019

Arnold Lee

Lani and I got to the Palladium a bit late this time...730 o'clock. Inside the ballroom was SRO (Standing Room Only). This time IBDI held the dance on the Ewa side ballroom. Yeah! you guess it...the partition to separate from the Diamond Head side was still out of order. But none the less, people were dancing to the music of new DeeJay Arnold Lee. No doubt the music brought dancers to the crowded dance floor.

IBDI President Diana VO and Arthur Kam

 Lady EmCee for the program was IBDI President Diana Vo who presided over the program superbly.  She introduced and  received a lei from new IBDI volunteer worker Arthur Kam. 

Sinisha and Chanel Kostich

The dance showcase started with a variation of Night Club style dances performed by new IBDI dance instructors Sinisha Kostich with daughter Chanel Kostich performing a medley of the Hustle and Cha Cha. It was fast and furious and beautifully performed.
            .

(Front) Hana Yin,, Heleen Digmon, Noreen Ho, Teri Bosley, and Ceci Freeman
(Back) Mike Murata, Atlas Cook IV, Tom Sutton, El Wong, and Jacky Lei

The International  Viennese Waltz/Tango Medley choreographed by Jacky Lei  was  performed with artistry in motion and with passion.  There were more releases and partner separation in the dance that you don't see in most International style of dancing. The medley was performed by dancers Jacky Lei & Ceci Freeman, Atlas Cook IV & Heleen Digmon, Tom Sutton & Noreen Ho, El Wong & Teri Bosley, and Mike Murata & Hana Yin.


After the dance showcase, general dancing continued till the call for door prizes started.

General dancing to Arnold's music continued on till closing at 9:30 PM.

Another IBDI dance event scheduled for the month of August.

Salsa Dance Fiesta at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community on Saturday  August 10, 2019 starting at 3:30 to  5:00 PM. IBDI dance instructors Dean and Suzy will host the Salsa lesson and Dance.

Happy Dancing!

Salsa Dance Fiesta at Hawaii Kai Retirement Community

Aloha State Square - Round Dance Festival 2019

Aloha SQ / RD dancers & friends:

Flyer courtesy Snow Jade

Please   see  the attach flyer for this Sunday evening,  Christmas in August dance event!  We love to see all of you joint us for a fun evening.. Even if you don't do SQ or RD dancing, we love to share what's it all about... Life is all about learning and trying out different things.. It's totally FREE for all.. It's our way to serve the community!  Where can you find such good deal?

https://queensj.smugmug.com/Aloha-State-SQ-RD-Dancec-Festi/2019-54th-Aloha-State-Square-Round-Dance-Festival-local/ This link will take you to our 2019 dance activities from 2 clubs, the annual festival, and the National SQ dance convention in Atlanta Georgia in June. 

Any questions, please let me know!  See you on  Palladium dance floor @5:30 pm for pre-round till 6:30 and club dance from 6:30 to 8:30 

Congratulation to our island newest caller Paul who just got his certification in July!

Welcome home Joy & Andrea Long!  See you on Sunday!

God bless us all! 

Aloha from SJ 

IBDI August First Sunday Dance Party @Hawaii Kai Retirement Community

Mahalo and Happy Dancing!

IBDI 58th Anniversary Dance at The Palladium (UPDATE)

Aloha dancers.
I just got the word on the UPDATE tonight. However, still got plenty time to purchase tickets pre-sale.

Wine Down Wednesday with Arthur Murray Dance Center

(Poster and text courtesy Arthur Murray Dance Center)

Join us here at Velocity Honolulu for a complimentary salsa dancing lesson! This is the first event in our series of "Wine Down Wednesday" events - be sure to RSVP to jnrsvp@jnag.com to reserve your spot! Italica Bar & Café will also be offering select $3 wine and beer offerings. Don't miss your chance to try something new and add a little bit of spice to your hump day.

Alma Latino Caliente Returns

Poster courtesy Aloha Dancesport Center

Alma Latino Caliente Returns with the Hottest Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cha Cha in Honolulu!
We resume our previous schedule of the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month. Performances and special appearance plus lots of surprises. More Information Coming!
Come joins for a lot of fun and lots of Salsa dancing on the largest and best dance floor in Hawaii!
Saturday July 13, 2019 8PM-Midnight
Admission $15.00
Discounts for re-opening and advance Sales, and reservations will be posted soon!
Contact Information:
divinoritmo@aol.com
www.alohadancesportcenter.com
Studio 808-200-5540

IBDI 4th Term 2019 Monday Night Classes

Musing When Disco Dancing Was In Vogue

Better Viewing Angle of Father's Day Concert

OOPS! The video on Father's Day Concert  was in an awkward angle. It was okay viewing on a tablet. I got word this morning that Tiny TV had posted the video on YouTube. It's better viewing angle. Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVVf3jn4QHg&feature=youtu.be

Mahalo,
Frank

Father's Day Concert at Ohana Hale Marketplace

WOW! The very first concert at the new Ohana Hale Marketplace  (located at the former Sports Authority store on Ward Avenue) turned out to be a blast...a blast with some oldies but goodies music. Almost like blasting into the past. Billed as Father's Day Concert with Champagne, it turned out that Champagne is the name of the band that played music down memory lane for the remaining two hours of the concert (12 noon to 2 PM). The band is comprised of lead singer Dezi, saxophone player Ricky, guitar player Denny, and electric keyboard player Eddie. Champagne is a very upbeat music band but has the makings of playing soft ballroom dancing music. More later on the band in this blog.

It's Saturday, June 16, 2019 and it's Fathers Day. My main girl and I  got to the Ohana Hale Marketplace about 11 AM. Our son, Nick was already on stage  belting out those oldies but goodies tunes like  Frank Sinatra and other crooners of the past sang. The tables and chairs fronting the stage were reserved for paid ticket holders and starting to fill up. The way it worked...a ticket holder gets to sit at a table in front of the stage, gets a $10 discount on a purchase from any of the vendors in the building, and a chance to win door prizes, for $20. Good deal because we used our discount for the ono bento from the Local Cravings vendor and paid two bucks which normally cost 12 bucks for lau lau, kalua pork, rice chasu, and assorted veggies including hot kim chee. That sure is broke the mouth kine bento.

Anyway, the emcee for the whole program was Tiny Tadani from

EmCee Tiny showing bento for $2 after $10 discount

Tiny TV/Spectrum OC16 TV Show (he also has a refreshment concession near the stage). What an extraordinary emcee he was. He was funny and kept the audience excited and laughing whenever he got to the microphone during and between performances. He was busy as a bee setting up chairs and tables as  more people came in to watch the show, and passing out samples of refreshments from his concession. He also sang.
Nick sang from 11:00 to 11:30.  The crowd was mostly stretched from the 50's, 60's, and 70's era and I could see that they enjoyed the tunes Nick was singing. Then Disk Jockey Hapa Boy Taylor

took over from 11:30 to 12 noon. Lani and I haven't got one foot in the grave yet and we enjoy some of the heavy modern tunes . One tune caught our ear that sounded like a cha cha beat. So we got on the floor near the stage and danced. Then another couple got up to dance too. With all the loud cheers and whistles echoing, it felt like we were in a dance competition. That brought more people on the floor when the Electric Slide music was played. Those dancers who are seniors

Electric Slide Dancers

really rocked the joint. Hapa Boy Taylor did good, too.
Champagne came on at 12 noon with some swing music. I guess the momentum got to Lani and me once more. We hit the floor with dancing the Jitterbug. Another couple came to dance, too. The music the band played was too good to let wasted. The band played a Rumba tune and Nick and Lani got on the floor to dance. It was nice to see our son dancing with mom since he stopped teaching dance and concentrated on his music. Incidentally, he  sets up sound systems like he did at this concert, and also do gigs for weddings, parties, graduation. etc.

There were lots of giveaways for door prizes. The grand prize was a big screen TV. I thought Tiny Tadani handled the emcee job brilliantly. During the call for lucky prize winners, if the person whose name was called was not present, he would say, "dat's alright, we'll save it for him or her and contact them to pick it up."  As for the TV set, Tiny had his 3 week old daughter, Tory Bleu pick the winning name card by attaching a scotch tape to her tiny feet and stick her feet into the paper bag containing the name cards that Nick was holding up while  mother Chassy held her. That brought laughter and shouts with approval that almost brought the house down.

Guest Singer Andy Sexton

Ricky the saxophone player, and Denny the guitar  player then came into the audience and did a solo exhibition with their musical instruments while Dezi and Eddie provided the background music.   The show was still going on strong when the band brought professional singer Andy Sexton from the group Simplicity to sing a solo and then a duet with Dezi. That was a big treat to hear their blend of voice. Beautifully done.


OOPS! Almost forgot the hula dancer. Didn't get her name but she did the hula with a lot of expression. I think she was telling a story with all the hula movements. Nice performance.








As like all concerts, there's  gotta be an end. Tiny was entertaining throughout the whole concert. This time to close the program, he sang, "Isn't She Lovely" to his daughter Tory Bleu and to his beautiful wife Chassy. That made it a beautiful ending to a well organized and entertaining Father's Day Concert.

To view video of the Father's Day Concert, please go to Facebook  Tiny TV Hawaii  or  Music Therapy 808.

Aloha for now and Happy Fathers Day!

Father's Day Concert at Ohana Hale Marketplace

(Left click mouse to zoom in)

Jukebox Sock Hop @the Pomaika'i Ballroom

A Tidbit About Ants and (Rock & Roll) Termites