IBDI 2011 Inaugural Ball

It was a good feeling getting to dance at the Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom once again. With the weather forcast of an impending storm with accompanying heavy rain for Friday, Lani and I did a heli-on to Waikiki. Parking was at a premium at the Pacific Beach Hotel when we got there a little after 5:30PM but we were lucky to find a space on the 5th floor.


We were greeted by the familiar friendly faces of the lovelies at the reception table...Shirley, Delia, and Dana. Got our table assignment and waited a few minutes for the doors to open to the ballroom.


Met some nice people while Lani and I waited. Among them IBDI Prez Chris & Charlene Jay. You can always get a good handshake and a hug from these friendly twosome.


The mellow sound track of easy dancing music filled the air as we entered the ballroom. DeeJays Henry Lee and Jane were spinning the tunes for the evening as more dancers got on the dance floor. It was good to see Henry and Jane taking time out to do some dancing, too.


One of the organizers of this event is Grace Nohara and she did an excellent job putting together the program. Kudos also to her committee of helpers.


Good to meet people in high positions, too, that will be shaping the future use of the dance palladium. Charlene Jay was nice to introduce me to the new City Parks & Recreation Director Gary Cabato and his wife Lynn.


The man with the golden voice that kept the program well oiled and running smoothly was EmCee Michael Goya. He has the charisma and humor and his voice carried throughout the ballroom. He introduced all the Presidents of the various dance organizations who were in attendance including the owners and teachers of the professional dance studios. Yeah! All of them got leid....oops! I mean they all received leis. Michael also said the invocation before the grindz time. As usual the entries selected were ono especially the roast beef sauteed in gravy, and the miso butterfish. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.


Guest speaker for the evening was City Parks & Recreation Diector Gary Cabato. But prior to him taking the mike, Prez Chris Jay announced that the Inaugural installation of officers will take place at another time hence that will give more time for dancing. That won approval with a loud applause. No date was set for the installation of officers.
Mr.Cabato gave an inspiring speech about the future use of the dance palladium for dance organizations. He mention a nice figure of $15 an hour fee for the use of the dance palladium which brought more applauses. Whether it's a proposal he's working on or the real thing, it sure sounded nice.

Then it was grindz time.


Prior to the Dance Exhibition part of the program, the icebreaker "Snowball" dance brought nearly everyone to the dance floor. Lani and I got pulled onto the dance floor by different dancers at the first sound of the music. Somehow I've always liked the "Snowball" rather than the tradition "Horseshoe" because it got everybody to dance. Everybody got to dance is right 'cause I only got two dances (with Vicky Kerfoot, and Debra Ota). Other than my Super ex-girlfriend, these gals were fun to dance with that night.

THE DANCE EXHIBITION


The Dance Exhibition part of the program started soon after with the International Waltz by Ed and Matilda. I never get tired watching this young couple perform in showcases. They have so much strength and techniques in the International Waltz.


Ed and Charlotte has always pleased the audience with their dynamite showcase performances of the International Samba, and the International Cha Cha. And tonight's showcase of the International Rumba showed their versatility in the slow tempo sensuous Rumba.


Another excellent performance in the Tango-Foxtrot Medley by Dr. Michael and Trudy. It appears that "medley" is the new approach to dance exhibition showcases and Michael and Trudy has been wowing the audience with their rendition. Good technique and always a pleasure to watch.


I've always enjoyed the Villanuevas solo and team performances in previous showcases and tonight they had added a new dimension of entertainment in their "Latin Showcase". It had a touch of cultural or tribal mixture that I found pleasing and entertaining. Renna's grandson Ikaika and Kona's daughter danced some nice Latin moves to open their showcase before Renna and Kona appeared on the dance floor. A performance well done.


Closing the program was an American Style Waltz performed by Debby and Rueben. I've watched this performance once before and I gotta say..Rueben has mastered this routine tremendously. He was more relaxed and in control of the dance. Debby of course, is always at her best which contibuted to a wonderful performance by both teacher and student.


Well, all good shows must come to an end..and I emphasize it was a good and well planned, and an enjoyable showcase. Five dance exhibitions is a good number allowing more time for dancing. Lani and I stayed till almost 11PM and lucky for us 'cause I got to take home the Centerpiece being that my birthday was the closest to February 23. They didn't ask for the year I was born, so that's double lucky for me.
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Seniors Valentine Dance 2011

This was Lani's and my first time going to a Seniors Valentine Dance at the Palladium this past Saturday (2/12). We figured why not give it a try since we're not at the "makule" age yet....only still seniors like all the young-at-heart dancers who were there. And for 8 bucks, where can you find such a good deal....a nice floor to dance on from 5 to 10PM, watching a showcase of exhibition dancers, ono bento, and a chance to win a door prize? Sponsored by Tad Fukumoto's Makua Alii and the Bank of Hawaii, it was a big big treat for a weekend dance after a Furlough Friday. Although, it wasn't mentioned, I'm pretty sure the City and County of Honolulu had a hand in sponsoring this event, too. Wack me 30 time with a wet noodle if I'm mistaken!
When Lani and I got to the Palladium about a quarter to 6, there was no problem finding a parking spot. Although the presale ticket said starts at 5, there were a lot of available parking. Lucky for us in Hawaii, most everybody go according to their bioclock....Filipino time, Hawaiian time, etc. Some dancers were already enjoying the grindz on the lanai as Lani and I climbed the stairway. There were more people in the Ballroom but only a handful of couples were dancing. Could it be because of the music? Tad Fukumoto was the DeeJay for the evening and I know from attending some events where he was the DeeJay, he's got a good number of dance music that always draw dancers to the hard floor. The sweet sounds were missing and that is what happens when the sound system is not up to par or does not have enough oomphs. It started as a slow burner in the beginning but as the time ticked away the ballroom floor got ablazed with more dancers.

The EmCee for the event was Roger Izumigawa. It was good to see Roger back on the saddle as Master of Ceremony. He has a voice that has the touch of clear diction and humor. That is always a plus in being an EmCee. In his "welcome everybody" message, he introduced many of the Presidents of the various dance clubs who were in attendance. Roger also served as the caller of lucky ticket numbers for the door prizes.

A good-to-know Recreation Specialist Steven Santiago from the City was introduced by Roger. He gave a nice message on the use of the Palladium and more. Steven stayed after the Dance Exhibition to help distribute the door prizes. I say get to know Steven Santiago...he might be the key to the future use of the Palladium.

Rose Char was the Coordinator of the Mixer aka Horseshoe Dance and the Electric Slide Line Dance, and she did an excellent job at it. Got a lot of dancers and seat warmers on the floor and in line for the Mixer. The Electric Slide Line Dance followed soon after and the hype was in full swing that brought more dancers on the floor. As EmCee Roger announced.... this is the largest amount of Electric Slide dancers he's even seen on the dance floor. Kathy Uyehara was there in front of the crowd doing a nice job in leading.


Eight o'clock rolled by and it was time for the Exhibition Dancing part of the program.

Tad Fukumoto and Sara Oyama were a delightful couple performing the romantic International Rumba. It was an entertaining dance by a well known instructor in the dancing community and this senior couple received a lot of applauses and respect for their performance.


Picking up the tempo for the next exhibition were Albert Lui and Shu Weng. Their rendition of the Quickstep was electrifying and added zest to the showcase.


The tempo slowed down just a little with the International Waltz performed by Sydney Chiu and Patricia Paliracio. Their Waltz technique was beautifuly executed as they glided throughout the entire ballroom floor.


Dance Hawaii's Richard and Lynn Nakamura went into hyper-speed next with their Quick Step. A malfunction with the sound system put a delay on their performance but that didn't dampen the spirit of these two experienced showcase dancers. The show must go on and Richard and Lynn danced another dynamite performance with speed and professionalism.


Michael and Trudy Uechi concluded the Exhibition Dancing program with the International Medley of the Foxtrot. Bravo to these two wonderful dancers for bringing the Foxtrot back to this showcase. This was a rare treat and very well performed.


And now a comment from my main squeeze who had a better eyeview of the showcase than I did through my tiny camera view finder. Lani says, "all the performers were terrific and top notch in their performance. The ladies wore colorful costumes that were appropriate to their dance and they looked beautiful. Aside from the glitch in the sound system before Richard and Lynn's Quick Step, I enjoyed the whole showcase and I think everybody did, too."

Top Ticket Seller Honors went to Herbert Omizo, a long time friend of any and all dance clubs who has helped in ticket sales. During a short interview with Herbert, he disclosed to me that he had sold 300 tickets. WOW! Congrats to Herbert.


Members of Dance Hawaii were there in big numbers and so were the club's VP Jim Brierly. When his lucky ticket number was called for a door prize, he received a whooping loud applause. Lucky guy!


Lani and I danced our A** OFF at this Senior Valentine Dance but alas it was time to go bye bye to an evening well spent on social dancing and the enjoyment of a thrilling showcase of exhibition dancing.
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Are We Ready Yet? @Kaiser CSA

Get Ready To Swing! at Kaiser CSA this coming Wednesday. We were gone for a spell from teaching at that site but Lani and I are back for the Spring Session. Nearly all dance clubs spin Jive music or fast tempo music for Swing Dancing. Eh, No Huhu! Swing Jitterbug will get you well on the way to keep in time with those fast tempo tunes.

ARE WE THERE YET?

East Honolulu has experienced a surge in Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dance classes and no doubt such reality TV shows like "Dancing With The Stars", and "Live To Dance" must've spurred more seniors and young ones to get off the couch and accept the challenge....the challenge of "Staying Alive".

Dance Hawaii Kai at Koko Head School has just completed 5 weeks of dance lessons in the Argentine Tango by instructors Robert and Vanelle Hirayasu. The students went through an amalgamation and the steps are beginning to fall in place. Good job by the instructors and bravo to the students for giving a listening ear to the instructors.

Night Club Merengue is taking a good hold, too, as the students are progressing faster with this happy and the-most-easy-to-learn Latin dance. Kudos to the students who demonstrated each of the patterns that they had learned during the past four Tuesdays. Argentine Tango and Night Club Merengue continues for three more weeks.

Are We There Yet?
Ballroom Dancing classes at Ali'iolani CSA for the Spring 2011 Session is a GO and will start next week Thursday (2/10) at 7PM.


Ballroom Dancing classes at Kaiser CSA is still accepting applications for the class.
So far as Lani and I know, the class is still on schedule to start next week Wednesday (2/9) at 7PM.

In any case, please contact Kaimuki CSA at 733-8460 or Kaiser CSA at 394-1236 for enrollment info.

FURLOUGH FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCE

Date: Friday, January 28, 2011
Location: Radford High School Cafeteria
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Music DJ: Michael Chinen

*** Monetary donations welcomed to benefit Radford High School Athletic Program
*** Bring a main dish/side dish to share with everyone
*** Dance Hawaii to provide all paper goods; serving utensils; and drinks (coffee/ice tea/hot tea)

For more info please contact Maurice Morita at Cell: 808-225-0326 or Email: Mauricetmorita@gmail.com
Website: www.dance-aliamanu.org / dancehawaii.us

Divino Ritmo Dance @The Cupola

Looking to get an early jump in fun dancing? Well, my friend Marie Laderta has got just the venue for all you HOT "I like to dance on Tuesday night" Dancers that will get you hopping and dancing. This is the first Divino Ritmo social dance at the Cupola for 2011, so I'm not about to take the carrot away from Marie. Just go on and take a bite of her "What's Up, Doc?" e-mail..........

Hello Frank!
It's that time for our studio party again! Appreciate very much if you can get the word out for us by posting the following announcement on your blog! Thank you as always!
-------------------


So, "What's Up Doc?" It's CUPOLA time again!

Come do the "Bunny Hop," the "Roger Rabbit," the "Rabbit Dance," come shake your booties at the CUPOLA this coming Tuesday, January 25, 2011, from 7-10pm on the 2nd floor of the Honolulu Design Center at 1250 Kapiolani Blvd (corner of Kapiolani & Piikoi).

Come help Lucas and Yanna kick-off the "Year of the Rabbit" at the CUPOLA with their
Divino Ritmo ohana and other dance friends!
There will be lots of boogying to the special hand-picked ballroom and "harey" tunes by Maestro Lucas Jaime and DJ Jesse Gonzales.
Ono pupus and wine are available for purchase all evening. Carrot sticks will be complimentary!

As usual, admission is FREE and Divino Ritmo's monthly social dance party is open to the public! You never know, you may even get to meet Mr. Roger Rabbit or Bugs Bunny in the flesh...how can you beat a night of fun and dance with your friends!!!!

Hop, hop, hop.... to the CUPOLA this Tuesday!!!!!! See ya!

For more info, contact:Lucas at: divinoritmo@aol.com ph:(917) 568-3173
or Yanna at: Yannajs@gmail.com ph: (732) 499-0407

Dance Hawaii 2nd Anniversary & Charity Ball-2011

The Dancers were real! The Performances were real! The Event was real! That was Dance Hawaii Anniversary & Charity Ball at the Pacific Beach Hotel this past Saturday. Not wanting to sound like a "Judge Judy" prelude but I gotta tell you, it was a bigger shindig with eye-catching dance performances than last year's. Gotta thank the "Ball" Committee headed by Chairperson Margaret Yee and Vice Chairperson Jim Brierly. Millie Chun did good also with Decorations, and Chris Ano made sure there were Awards and Leis. Kudos also go to the invisible volunteers who handled the Silent Auction (Gilda Morita and Leilani Alcover). Special Recognition and Appreciation go to the Showcase Choreographers and Showcase Dancers who worked hard during practice to make the Program a successful and entertaining affair.
It was a big event for Lani and me also 'cause some of our dance students from Dance Hawaii Kai and Ali'iolani CSA were gonna be there. Our son Dean who assists us at Ali'iolani CSA was gonna come to the dance, too.


But first, gotta pass by the lovelies at the Reception Table to get our table number. Diane Nishimura, Ann Manuel, Sandra Hamasaki, and Beverly Goo were just as cheerful reading those small prints on the table list and dishing out the numbers.


In photo (l-r) The Greeters and Ushers Benedict Doung, Ray Nariyoshi, Wally Nakagawa, Myrna Saniatan, Eddie Olegario, and Tony Alcover at the entrance to the Ballroom were just as accommodating. Lani and got real flower leis and were escorted to our table. Gotta thank Usher Committee Chair Roy Hamasaki for overseeing this treat.


Music DeeJay for this event was Michael Chinen who is one of Dance Hawaii's DeeJays and owns one of the largest selection of the best Ballroom and Latin music. Anytime the Rumba tune is played it casts a hypnotic spell on my Super-Exgirlfriend and she chasse to the dance floor with me in tow. Maybe it does the same for other dancers, too, 'cause the floor got awfully crowded.


EmCees for the evening were beautiful Kim Anderson and a good-looking Jake William. Both were good at the mike in keeping the program on a steady course. But first on the program was the Installation of Officers and Board Members.


Prez Maurice Morita called on Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Richard Haru to preside over the installation. He gave an impromptu speech to inspire the new Officers and Board members to remember and play out their responsibilities to Dance Hawaii and its membership.





After the "Installation", Prez Maurice gave a "Welcome Everybody" speech and introduced the Special Guests and Presidents of the various Dance Clubs on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.


Professional singer Kim Anderson entertained the audience with a few songs. She also sang the prayer before the buffet dinner. Gilda Morita said the invocation and it was time to gind. General Dancing continued after dinner with some time spent on calling out winners of the Silent Auction.


Part 1 of the Program started with Dance Hawaii Line Dance Formation Team choreographed by Kevin and Margaret Yee. It's a rare commodity to see Line Dancing included in a Ballroom Showcase but there is always a "first" time. The "Mama Mia" and "Merengue" Line Dance was a brain-child conceived by Dance Hawaii Line Dance instructors Kevin and Margaret Yee and I gotta say they pulled this one out of the surprise bag with much success.


Robert and Vanelle Hirayasu who teaches for Dance Hawaii Kai this quarter danced the Argentine Tango. Lani describes the performance as a story of passionate love and hate. A little enticing to get his lady by Robert with Argentine flavor and the final blow of rejection as Vanelle walks away. Talk about love that goes astray in a movie like performance. Great acting performed in a dance!


Risking another 30 lashes with a cat-of-nine wet noodles for not getting a good shot of the dancers in this routine, I've posted this candid photo. OUCH!
The JIVE choreographed by Richard and Lynn Nakamura was performed by members of Dance Hawaii and IBDI. This is the second year that these two dance organizations had gotten together to put on a wonderful performance of the JIVE. Kudos to IBDI dancers Ed & Candy Matsuda, Ernie & Karen Choy, and Roy & Marsha Ninomiya, and to Dance Hawaii dancers Maurice & Gilda Morita, Richard & Lynn Nakamura, and Larry Arinaga & Candace Yap. I've seen this formation dance a few times throughout 2010 and it gets better and better. Another superb performance!


The Kauai Ballroom Dance Club-Hanapepe Chapter soon followed with the NIGHT CLUB 2 Step choreographed by Roy and Glenda Tamashiro. In photo the Dancers were: (l-r) Ladies: Elisa Delgado, Adela Chavez, Cornelia Works, Brenda Visitacion, and Glenda Tamashiro; (l-r) Men: Abraham Nihipali, Tomas Chavez, Dan Works, John Visitacion, and Roy Tamashiro. It was like "com'on my house" and dance feeling. Kauai Ballroom Dance Club performed in last years Dance Hawaii Anniversary Ball and dancers from Dance Hawaii went to Kauai to perform in their Anniversary Ball. Terrific relationship and a terrific performance in the Night Club 2 Step. It's no wonder it's become popular in social ballroom dancing, also.


The International CHA CHA & QUICKSTEP MEDLEY by Joshua Manzano and Jill Tengen was a poetry in speed and execution....a dynamite performance well done in the spirit of Latin and Ballroom showcase dancing.
(Photo of Joshua and Jill courtesy of Chris Ano)

More General Dancing followed during the intermission.





Part 2 opened with the International FOXTROT and TANGO MEDLEY by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. Once upon a time, Lani and I dubbed Richard and Lynn as Mr. and Mrs. Quickstep. After watching them glide so smoothly with their rendition of the Foxtrot/Tango Medley, it won't be long before we'll be calling them Mr. and Mrs Foxtrot/Tango, too. A performance very well executed.


Then the Kauai Ballroom Dance Club-Lihue Chapter performed the MAMBO choreographed by Ken and Ellen Kitabayashi. In photo the Dancers were: (l-r): Ken & Ellen Kitabayashi, Bryson & Medina Calbalteja, Russel & Jocelyn Cubangbang, and William Balbin & Deza rae Fernandez. A good relationship with the Lihue Chapter brought this Mambo Formation Team to perform in the Dance Hawaii Anniversary Ball, again. It was a good performance by the dancers and a rare look into a different style of Mambo.


An International SAMBA Formation choreographed by Richard and Lynn Nakamura was performed by Dance Hawaii dancers Jim Brierly & Lucille Nakamoto, Ed Olegario & Roxanne Kaino, Lung & Catherine Kwok, Wayne Fuchigami & Elsie McGrew, Robert & Vanelle Hirayasu, Larry Arinaga & Candace Yap, and Cory Ogawa & Valeria Luab. It was a "block buster" performance that was exciting and entertaining to watch.




Concluding the showcase program was an International WALTZ by Reggie Gascon and Gayle Kawahakui. It was a good choice to end this part of the program. The hype was still high and Reggie and Gayle danced so beautifully that the applauses were loud and clear that their styling and technique were greatly appreciated.

General Dancing continued till 11:30PM.

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New Chief In Town

A Healthier New Year & Mahalo

IBDI New Years Dance

If any dance club celebrated the end of year 2010 in style, it's gotta be IBDI. Fo' sure IBDI bid farewell to 2010 and rang in the new year in a Blaze of Glory at the Pacific Beach Hotel on New Years eve. Social Dancing, Ono Buffet, Door Prizes, and Games...it's gotta be the cumulative brainwork of the officers and the capable hands of New Years Dance Committee to come up with such innovative ideas to keep the program running smoothly from start to finish. Much Kudos to all of you!

Lani and I figured that parking at the Pacific Beach was gonna be at a premuim, so we headed towards Waikiki hoping to get there at least by 5:30. Wouldn't you believe it? We hit a snag of heavy traffic on Kalanianaole Hwy. But it was smooth sailing once we got past Niu Valley. We were keeping our fingers crossed that we could find parking when we got to the Pacific Beach about 20 to six. Found a space on the 4th floor and very lucky for us 'cause soon as I put the brakes on, there were a parade of cars all lined up looking for parking spaces after us.


The Grand Ballroom on the 7th floor looked desserted except for the lovelies at the Reception Table. Gotta give those gals a lot of appreciation 'cause no matter whose dance club is hosting, Candy Matsuda, Delia Tom, Dana Morey, and Grace Nohara are always there volunteering at the Reception Table. Got our table number and a blue ticket (for the guys) and a red ticket (for the gals) for door prizes.


As Lani and I entered the Ballroom, the sweet sound of the Waltz filled the air. It didn't take too much coaxing to get dancers on the floor. DeeJays Henry Lee and Jane made sure of that during the whole six plus hours with their excellent selection of Ballroom, Latin, and Swing music. There were some rare moments of the West Coast Swing, the Night Club 2 Step, and even the Merengue (Lani and my favorite dance). Mucho gracias, Henry and Jane!



Gradually, more dancers trickled into the Grand Ballroom...some former dance students, some dance instructors, and some friends and acquaintances who Lani and I had occasion to meet some years back.


Social Dancing continued until it was time for the ono buffet that Pacific Beach is known for. EmCee for the evening was Marsha Ninomiya and she handled the podium like a professional EmCee would. She said a very inspiring prayer of thanks before the dinner.


More social dancing continued after the dinner then IBDI Prez Chris Jay took over the mike with a short speech about the events coming in 2011 and the recognition of Grace Nohara for her support in making this New Years Dance a successful one.

Grace was presented with a lei by Roy Ninomiya.


Lucky numbers for door prizes were called and I gotta say IBDI did not hold back on the money gift cards. The games started with the SNOWBALL dance which got nearly everyone on the dance floor. When the music stopped, money gift cards were given to the guy or gal who were dancing with a dancer whose name was preselected and announced. The King and Queen of the IBDI New Years Ball was selected by lucky numbers, too. James Masuoka won the King's crown, and Pat Watanabe got the Queen's.


The traditional HORSESHOE Dance also awarded couples with money gift cards when the music stopped. After more social dancing, the Balloon game started with much fun. There were a lot of winners in this game even with the Jen Ken Po elimination. So all of those standing received some kind of award. The Games part of the program was conducted by both Marsha and Grace...and what a wonderful job they did to make it fun and enjoyable.


More Social Dancing continued until the countdown to midnight. Noise makers and those string pops dominated the Grand Ballroom as 2010 faded away and the dawning of a new year approached. Those on my Table #15 got to click glass tumblers and paper cups filled with non-alcoholic drink to toast a better and healthier 2011. (My main squeeze handled the camera during the closing moments so as she nicely put it..."so you can be in the picture, too"). Dat's my girl!
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