IBDI New Year Ball

Lani and I were looking forward to this IBDI last dance of 2011 and ringing in the new year with the New Years Ball at the Pacific Beach Hotel this past Saturday. It was a beautiful afternoon (Lani's words) and the drive from Hawaii Kai  to Waikiki was a breeze. Parking at the hotel wasn't a problem tho' we were parked on the 4th floor garage. Two of IBDI's four best greeters greeted us at the ballroom entrance....friendly and always with a "glad to see you" smile..Dana and Delia.


We were a bit early so we hung around the lanai and made small chat with other dancers and guest
as they arrived. DeeJays Henry and Jane were still setting up for the long haul till midnight. But as soon as the music came on and tickled the ears of the dancers, the dance floor drew a lot of dancers. Henry and Jane did not disappoint with their rotating tempo from Slow Dancing to the High Powered Samba. The good dance music must've got to them, too, and it was good to see Henry and Jane dancing together.




EmCee for the evening was IBDI Prez Chris Jay who handled the 6 hour wait to the New Year with ease...sprinkling a fun program with games along with general dancing. But first, a huge welcome to all and a promise to make it a fun evening till the stroke of midnight. And that he did. Chris also said the invocation before the buffet dinner. Recognition and well deserved praises were given to 1st VP Grace Nohara who was a long time volunteer for IBDI and will be officially retiring at the end of 2011.





Gracious Grace Nohara has been the backbone of IBDI's organizing system. Her presence and friendly nature has always made guests and visiting professional dance teachers feel comfortable. Her organizational skills have brought professional exhibition dancers to perform for IBDI Showcases. Some as far as from Japan. She will be sorely missed.

General Dancing

No New Years Ball should fade away without a King and Queen. There was no primary or general election. Knowing how to dance was not a prerequisite. In order to gain the royal status, the winners had to have the lucky ticket number. For 2011 Ball, the lucky ticket holders were "King" Eugene Shen, and "Queen" Anna Kim. To seal the title of royal couple, Eugene and Anna had to dance around the ballroom floor to a Waltz. They danced beautifully with loud vocal encouragement from the audience.

One of the fun games resembled small kid time "Ring Around The Rosy" but more adult way. Since approx. 170 dances and guests couldn't be on the dance floor at one time, certain table numbers were called to participate. The objective was to rotate around the circle as the music played on (guys clockwise and gals counterclockwise) and when the music stopped, the couple facing each other was dance partners number 1. And it went on till there were three partners for each couple. I think it was a test for memory. The fun followed with couples dancing the Rumba, Cha Cha, and the Waltz. The remaining table numbers did the same routine.

More General Dancing

Another fun game was the Horse Shoe Dance. It brought nearly all the
 guests and dancers on the floor to participate.  Could it be that the $5
award to the couple that were at the starting gate when the music
stopped was a brilliant incentive?  It was fun and a lot of $5 bills
were awarded out to the lucky couples.

Not to be outdone by the Horse Shoe Dance, the Snowball
was equally with incentives. When the music stopped, the person
dancing with a partner whose name was called out received a
$5 gift certificate to Zippy's Restaurant. 

More General Dancing

(aka Jen Ken Po)

1st to 5th Place Winners of the Jen Ken Po Game

More General Dancing

This was a fun game that Lani and I put our hearts and

lungs to, whole heartily (pardon da pun). Had two chances

to inflate the balloons and attempt to burst them using our

tummys but was not successful. However it brought a lot of

laughter when my round balloons turned to pear shape. 

Sure enough, there was a "Grand Prize" to the lucky ticket number holder.

More General Dancing

At the stroke of midnight, Derrick uncorked the bottle of
champagne (?) and we toasted to the New Year with those little
pop makers and  singing "Auld Lang Syne".  However the program did
not end there. Everyone met on the dance floor, forming a circle,
and holding hands.  Lani and I had never experienced this wonderful
way of bidding "A Happy New Year" to everyone. It was like a Tsunami
rushing across the dance floor to brush cheeks with the gals and wishing
"A Happy New Year" to the guys.  We must have done the Tsunami Rush
at least 10 times but then who's counting when you're having fun!     

To Prez Chris Jay, Charlene, Grace, behind-scene volunteers, and
the Event Organizing Committee: the program, the dance music
arrangement,  the games, and the ono buffet was very  well put
together. And from the joys and laughter heard from all the  guests
and dancers who were present, it was an enjoyable sendoff for
Year 2011 and welcoming the 2012 New Year!

(left click on photo to zoom in)

IBDI Christmas Ball

 Getting to the Palladium was no problem. It was Saturday and the drive from Hawaii Kai was a breeze. Walking up to the second floor of the Palladium, we met a few friends along the way. First stop was getting our bento. (only those who purchased tickets presale were handed the bento). Incidently, IBDI had served the best tasting bento and snacks this evening with Okinawa donuts. On the serving line was an old friend Marie Pereirra, and Elliot Oshiro.  A lot of dancers and guests were already seated at the tables that were set up on the lanai and chumping down the ono teriyaki steak, breaded chicken slices, fish cake, potato salad on a bed of white rice and an Okinawa donut to boot. The doors were not open to the ballroom yet after dinner but standing in line to get in wasn't a waste of time. Lani and I got to make small chat with some of our friends and new acquaintances.

At the reception table were Dana Morey, a sweet lady that you see at most every IBDI events greeting comers and newcomers alike, and Fred Weddle. The dance floor was starting to heat up when Lani and got to our seats. DeeJays Henry Lee and Jane were already keeping the beat of the music at full swing and the floor started to get a bit crowded.

 

EmCee for the event was Chris Jay, Prez of IBDI. First on the agenda was to give recognition to three officers of IBDI who had volunteered with  their whole hearted services throughout the years and now retiring from service.....Paul Araki (Auditor), Renna Villanueva (2nd VP and Dance Director), and Grace Nohara (1st VP). Then Grace took to the mike and introduced all the 0n-the-scene and behind-the-scene volunteers who worked to make IBDI a successful club.
Two go-gethers who are well known in the dance community who helps with the ticket sales were also recognized......Herbert Omizo and Annie Ferguson. Lucky numbers were called for the numerous door prizes during the program.

The showcase of Exhibition Dancing started with the Carlos Chang Group Formation performing a dance called "The Lion King". Now that's Show Biz! with the flavor of a Broadway Show and a welcome addition to a Dance Exhibition Showcase. The dancers performed superbly and the dance was very well choreographed by Carlos Chang with a great musical score that brought life, enjoyment, and entertainment.

After the heart-beating performance of the Lion King came a seductive Rumba danced by Robert Schiff and Renna Villanueva. It had a good measure of lifts, drops, and techniques that kept the heart-beat to continue.  Both Robert and Renna are dynamic showcase performers and it carried on during the entire performance. Carried? Yes, Robert carried Renna onto and off the ballroom floor. And that's romantic!
Sergio Villanueva  and Rosy Schiff came on strong with a spunky Jive with dips and twirls that delighted the crowd. It was fiery and fearless and very well performed.

Closing the exhibition part of the program was the Quickstep danced by members of IBDI and Dance Magic 808 and choreographed by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. It was dazzling and quick moving and danced with precision. Like a flower that blooms to life, the 14 members were excellent in performing a cluster and then blossoming out in this fast Quickstep.

The program was still in full swing after the Quickstep performance. All the dancers in the showcase were asked to remain on the dance floor and participate in the "Snowball Dance"......aka the "Icebreaker Dance". It was a Cha Cha and that brought nearly everyone on the dance floor including me who was picked by that good-looking blonde in the green gown in the above photo. Lani was scooped away by Tom Yoneyama who was in the Lion King Formation.

It was a well organized and an enjoyable Christmas Ball.......general dancing, good music, ono bento and snacks, and an entertaining showcase. Much kudos to the Officers, Board of Directors, and the many on-the-scene and behind-the-scene faithful volunteers of IBDI that made it so for the more than 400 dancers and guests who attended.

Dance Magic 808 Christmas Party & Dance

It's da "Glasses"
Photo courtesy Charlene Jay

Talk about Filipino Time. You know what I mean....getting to the party half an hour late. (I know what it means because us Filipinos try rush but sometimes no can get there in time). Traffic was at a stand still most of the way from Hawaii Kai....on Kalanianaole Hwy and on the H1. Getting off the H1 via the School St. Offramp and then head to Ft. Shafter was my tactical move but alas the right lane was clear for a fast getaway direct to the Ft. Shafter Offramp. Lani and I got to the Hale Ikena 30 minutes late but so did a lot of others who trailed behind me at the Ft. Shafter Maingate.

The sweet sounds of Henry and Joanne Rimas music was echoing from the ballroom. There were at least 110 dancers and guests in attendance for this first Dance Magic 808 Christmas Party & Dance. The meat of this event was also to give recognition to all the dance instructors who volunteered to teach for this newly formed dance club. Before I go any further, I gotta thank Chris and Charlene Jay, Prez and First Lady of IBDI who were at the party for sharing the photo of me and my main squeeze. Okay, no laugh out loud. Charlene is a shutterbug and a good one too especially at dance events. The photo is priceless since I'm always behind the camera and I had forgotten wearing the glasses with blinking lights and windshield wipers at the IBDI dance in October.

General dancing continued with the sound of Christmas tunes and other popular dance music.  Henry and Joanne have got the right selection of music for this seasonal occasion. EmCee was Audrey Fu who is on the DM808 Board of Directors. Like a true lady with CEO experience, she outlined the program with humor which brought good feeling laughs. The program began with Christmas tunes sung by Kim Anderson who Audrey described as a beautiful singer. Yes, she is beautiful and her singing voice is way above beauty, too.....da kine that is worth paying big bucks to listen to. Kim also treated the audience with two more renditions during the intermission.   Invocation was said by Millie Chun who expressed words of wisdom, thankfulness, and blessings for all present regardless of which dance club they belong.

More dancing after the buffet dinner and then it was time to introduce the Officers and Board of Directors of Dance Magic 808.....Lynn Nakamura (President), Richard Nakamura (VP and Dance Director), Candace Yap (Secretary), and Richard Nakamura (Treasurer). Board of Directors are Audrey Fu, and Gail Tamaribuchi.

The Dance Instructors got lei-d (pardon the pun). Among them were Richard and Lynn Nakamura (International Style), Andy and Monica Pascua (American Latin and Filipino Tango), Frank and Lani Sierra (American Style and Night Club Latin), Robert and Vanelle Hirayasu (Argentine Tango), Roxanne Kaino and Elsie McGrew (Line Dance), Joshua Manzano and Stephanie Shimizu (Night Club 2 Step and Hustle), and Lester and Henrietta Muramoto (International Style). Joshua was still on the mainland and did not attend.

It was a luau style dinner.....tasty and onolicious that filled the opu comfortably. The program included a sparkling Filipino Tango exhibition dance by Andy and Monica Pascua, and an exciting International Tango by Gayle Kawahakui and Jun.

To get everyone onto the dance floor, Richard and Lynn led a circle of dancers and guests in a group dance. It was fun changing partners as the dance went full circle during the entire time of the music. Along with Lani,
I can say that I danced with nearly all the ladies that evening. The Dance Magic 808 Christmas Party & Dance turned out to be a funfest and much kudos go to Richard and Lynn, and the support committee for making it so.

Rockin' Down The House with The Wasabi Band

Wow! WASABI is really Rockin' Down The House!. They played at the ST. Louis Alumni Clubhouse last night and......well here's Doreen the Leader of the band with the hot stuff................

Thank you to all who joined us at St. Louis Alumni last night, and a GIGANTIC mahalo to Garry Moore, who really DID IT again!!! He worked his magic and had everyone mesmerized with his talent & charm! Everyone seemed to get into a frenzy on the dance floor with all the energy that Garry brings to his performance of Little Richard, Elvis, & Jerry Lee Lewis songs. Mahalo to Stuart's friends, Sylvia, Ora, & Marilyn for the onolicious box of Fujiya mochi, and to Onee-chan, Sharon Nakai, for the very suggestive "peaches" manju. They just did not appeal to ME, but they sure had some alluring effects on Milton & Steve, so I let them "eat" 'em! LOL! At our age, that's as much as they can handle anyway...HA!

Dot's In Wahiawa, here we come again! We'll be at Dot's tmrw nite (Saturday, December 10th) from 7:30-10:30 p.m., so if your batteries are still charged up, come on up to Wahiawa. Don't forget to bring your jackets, or sweaters, cuz Wahiawa gets pretty cool at night during the winter months. Hope you all can make it!

Love from me & da boyz,
Doreen

Divino Ritmo "Neon Lights" The Call of Broadway

Divino Ritmo Dance Grand Ball 2011 got underway last Saturday night at the Sheraton Waikiki's Molokai & Lanai Ballrooms. Billed as "Neon Lights, The Call of Broadway, the very well put together show was awesome to the max...electrifying and for the most part very entertaining. The colorful costumes, the glamour, the dancers, the lightings, the music, the props (mustn't forget the long white limo)....I gotta say, "WOW! This is Broadway!" The dance floor was the main stage and like the pauses between each act of a stageshow, there was darkness that instilled a feeling of mystery before the spotlight revealed the actors/dancers.

There were two Acts nicely spaced apart which gave moments for general dancing in between. There were some added features to both Acts that included  the Divino Ritmo Dance Studio Formation Team, a dance exhibition by Professionals Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova, a formation dance  by the Divino Ritmo Dance Novice Ensemble, and a solo Jazz dance to "All That Jazz". There were so many participants in this exciting Broadway Show that I couldn't get all their names. But kudos to all of them for an excellent performance in dance showmanship. I hope the proverbial words of "A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words" will display the high energy performance of the participating dancers. 

The DeeJay for the evening was Michael Yap who was assisted earlier by Derrick as dancers and guests trickled into the ballroom. Michael's brand of music was great and it brought a multitude of dancers to fill the dance floor.

The showcase music was edited by Lucas Jaime and the tunes carried the essence and heartbeat of Broadway. Like a stage show, the numbers in the acts clicked and there were no pauses. As each number in the Acts was being played out, actual clips from Broadway Shows and movies were displayed on the large movie screen....a wonderful flavor to capture the passion of "The Call of Broadway".

EmCee was Justin Cruz, the meteorologist (weatherman) for KHON News. He kept the program rolling along at a smooth pace.

The program began with a vocal by  singer Katie Chow who belted "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" to a Cha Cha beat. She also closed the program with an upbeat song. She is a terrific singer and a marvelous presence at the beginning and ending of the show.

Yanna and Lucas performance in cabaret style was superb with spins and aerial lifts which brought an exciting ending to "Neon Lights, The Call of Broadway".

General Dancing continued till 11:30PM.