Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society Inaugural Ball 2017

" It has got to be SRO (standing room only)" running through my mind as I looked for a spot to park my car at the Palladium last night. And I wasn't the only one sparking for a parking spot. Fortunately,  after circling around the filled parking lot, I was able to find a tight spot where I could maneuver my SUV in between two cars. There was enough space for any 150 pound guys to open their car door.
As we entered the Ballroom, my main girl and I were greeted by Greg Wong, one of the Pan Pacific BDS Directors. He got us our bento all packaged in a plastic bag. I guess he figured it was gonna be a long walk back to my car to store the bento. Many thanks, Greg. Serving out the bentos at the kitchen counter was Mitzi Lee. Could not let pass taking a shot of this hard working Director.

Mitzi Lee

Luby Bienzo who was at the reception table checked us in since we came as guests of Ed and Matilda Felix.

Luby Brienzo

It was SRO as I suspected with many dancers and non-dancers filled the ballroom. The music was not only "beautiful", they were sweet to the ears and dancing feet. Ed Felix, the Dance Director for Pan Pacific BDS has got to rank with the best of music players for his up beat dance music.

Musicman Ed Felix 

General dancing was non-stop until Lady EmCee Frances Perrott announced the opening of the program with a welcome message. There were many representatives from the various dance organizations present and they were introduced. There was a spot for recognition of Rick and Luby Brienzo for their long time service to Pan Pacific BDS. Congratulations, Rick and Luby.

Rick and Luby Brienzo

Lady EmCee Frances Perrott

During this time, the Officers and Board of Directors for 2018 were called on the dance floor and sworn in.

2018 Officers and Board of Directors (left to right)
Directors: Greg Wong, Jeffery Umeda, Roxanne Kaino, Louise Fujiyama,
Dance Director Ed Feliz, Treasurer Matilda Felix, Secreetary Mitzi Lee,
Vice President Joss Sangalang, and Presidaent Gene Inoshita (not available)

The Showcase of exhibition dancing started with Thomas Campbell and Joss Sangalang performing the Quickstep. This was the first time for Thomas and Joss to perform as a couple.

Robert and Diana Diana came on next with the EmCee announcing a short bio on how, where and when this couple began taking ballroom dancing in late 2010 from Ed and Matilda Felix. It wasn't till 2015 when Robert retired from the FAA were the couple able to devote more time for ballroom dancing. Last night, they performed the smooth Waltz.

I guess you could guess that a good number of dancers in the islands started with dance lessons from Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association. Derek and Debra Lynne Kam were among the learners as a good start. They are currently coached by International Latin Dance Professional Carlos Chang. They have developed their dancing over the years with the help of other professionals like Debby Borges, and Renna Villanueva. Last night, they performed an interpretive Cha Cha/Rumba Medley. Derek is the President of Friends of Ala Wai Ballroom Dance Academy and wife Debra Lynne is a Director  on their Board.

Closing the Showcase were Jacky Lei and his student Margaret Yu performing the International Foxtrot. Jacky is a highly awarded competitor from Shenen, China. He recently moved to Honolulu and is happy to share his wonderful techniques with our dance ohana. Margaret has been taking private lessons and training with Jacky for the last five months.

General dancing resumed after a short period to recognize and award the dancers in the showcase.

The Showcase Performers
Debra Lynne & Derek Kam
Robert & Diana Diana
Jacky Lei & Margaret Yu
Joss Sangalang & Thomas Campbell
(This photo courtesy Rick Brienzo)

Matilda Felix

A big Mahalo to Ed and Matilda Felix for inviting Lani and me as their guests to the Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society Inaugural Ball last night. We enjoyed the music, the dance, the Showcase, and when we got home, the onolicious bento.

Also a big thanks to Lady EmCee Frances Perrott for sharing her notes of the program.

 Hasta la vista and Happy Dancing!














P.S. Just some extra photos from going paparazzi.

(This photo courtesy Rick Bienzo)

 

Rhythm With Ballroom Dance

(Left click mouse on photo to zoom in)

Hawaii Gardenia Circle 27th Anniversary Ball

Rows and rows of seats taken when Lani and I got to the Palladium Ballroom a little after 7 PM. As usual the parking lot was filled and the only recourse was to park where the city is doing some renovation work on the auxiliary parking area. I guess we missed part of the program being late getting to the Palladium. Found a couple of seats near the stage and it was a good launching area to get on the dance floor since not too many dancers dance that far away from the music player. Speaking of the music player; Hawaii Gardenia Circle got Burt Burgess to DeeJay for the 27th Anniversary Dance this past Saturday. This guy has got the sweetest dance music for American social dancing and Club style dancing like Latin and swing. Can't miss a beat with Bert's music.

Musicman Bert with Aiea Dance Club President Deanie Bates

Lani and I were invited to this anniversary dance as guests of Gayle Kawahakui. Mucho aprecio, bella dama. We were greeted at the Reception Table with familiar and friendly faces and by our gracious host.

David Mayman and Helene Tombelaine

Beverly Goo, Diane Nishimura and Bob Nishimura

Gayle Kawahakui and EmCee Roger Izumigawa

General Dancing was in full swing till EmCee Roger Izumigawa started the program with a welcome message and introducing the presidents of the various dance organizations who were in attendance. Incidentally, mucho aprecio to Roger, too, who shared his notes with the names of the dance exhibition performers. There were 25 performers from Arthur Murray Dance Center and 6 performers from three different dance organizations.  (Too many names for me to remember or write down in this fast moving dance world). Auwe! But the show must go on and opening the show were dancers from the Arthur Murray Dance Center performing a Jazz routine. Nicely done solo movements and captivating couple connection. The dancers were Jacob Himoto, Lance Sabado, Rosemary Virgoni, and Rikita Turner'

General dancing resumed to give the dance performers time to change costumes. Enough time for my main squeeze and me to get on the dance floor and do the cha cha cha and swing.

Opening the 2nd part of the program was a parade of "Grand Ball" dancers led by Calvin and Debra Ota.

   

The "Grand Ball" showcase exhibited smooth dancing that ranged from the Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot Waltz, and Tango. The performances were fast moving for my trusty small still camera. But hopefully the dancers are recognizable. Nearly all the dancers had their very own style and technique and they were magnificent in their performances.

The dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Center were: INSTRUCTORS Jacob Himoto, Lance Sabado, Crystal Toni, Chris Solchaga, Jo Zobjeck, Rikita Turner, and Rosemary Virgoni; Dancers were Maile Atkinson, Malia Johnson, Athena Su, Tamie Kerns, Ashley Nakamura, Rei Bosley, Lisa Valderueda, Damien Morales, Naomi Hirayasu, Sean McManus, Nathan Aragon, Jia Liu, Kevin Chen, Christian Grado, Daniel Kinoshita, Evelyn Vento, Jay Tsuchillard, and Connie Tsuchillard.
Here's just a few of the Arthur Murray dancers that I was able to capture on camera. My sincere apology to the others.

Dance performers from other dance organizations were Calvin and Debra Ota, Alan Kim and Lisa Hawkins, and Ivan John and Spring Liang (photo below). All three couples performed with finess, control, and passion of the dance as though they were in stiff competition. They danced a superb performance in this showcase. A bit of a note, Calvin and Debra Ota will be competing in the Hawaii Star Ball this month. Much luck to both of you.

General dancing resumed while refreshments were served out in the lanai.  Gotta give kudos to the youngsters who served the bento at the kitchen counter. You could put a finger on their looks and niceness as belonging to Gayle Kawahakui's clan. Ditto for the refreshments servers on the lanai, too.
Again, many thanks to Gayle for inviting Lani and me as her guests. It was an enjoyable evening for both of us.
Hasta la vista for now!