2010 Valentine Ball

The City and County of Honolulu 2010 Valentine Ball was held at the Palladium last night and from what I could see, most of the 501.c dance clubs were well represented. This was an affair to be entertained and to enjoy social dancing on a night that the mythology Cupid is suppose to create a romantic bond with your main squeeze. There was a Cupid all dressed up in costume with wings and bow and arrow. It was none other than Tad Fukumoto who was also the DJ for the evening and guest performer.


MC for the event was Gladys Lee, a well known dancer in the community who handled the program with style and punctuality going according to the schedule. At her side was Steven Santiago who enlightened the audience with the workings of the Parks and Recreation programs and who also assisted in distributing the door prizes donated by the First Hawaiian Bank. Before the Dance Exhibitions, there was a Dance Mixer (aka Ice Breaker) coodinated by Rose Char, another catchy name in the dancing community.

There were five dance exhibitions...all in the International styles. Now the Palladium is not the best place to hold dance exhibitions or competitive dancing. Some how it doesn't have the same atmosphere as the ballrooms in the hotels. I gotta say that I agree with Geoffrey on this point. But for hosting social dancing, there is no better place than the Palladium.


Up first was "Cupid" Tad Fukumoto who danced a cartoon type International Jive with Sara Oyama. It took them a few minutes to get started but as both are seniors you gotta give them some leeway. I mentioned cartoon style Jive but Tad and Sara tried their very best to entertain the audience. Hopefully when they perform again, they will dance in the middle of the dance floor so everyone can see the performance. Tad and Sara's performance brought laughter and loud applause and I gotta say that they did entertain.


Jackson Cho and Shu Wang were next to dance the International Waltz. I recognized Jackson by his black shoes with white stripes. He recently performed the Quick Step with Jun Choong at Al Franz Showcase. Shu has been a long time showcase performer and she still has the grit to continue in this field. Both danced smoothly in the Waltz.


Richard and Lynn Nakamura (Mr. and Mrs. Quick Step). This couple has been in so many showcases for different dance clubs that it amazes me each time of their quickness and high energy in their movements. The Quick Step is always a crowd pleaser and Richard and Lynn sure did please the crowd.


Sidney Chiu and Patricia Paliracio. I've seen Patricia dance socially since my days with IBDC (IBDI) but never in showcases. She has blossomed into a good showcase dancer. Sidney danced with such good control that their performance was enjoyable to watch.


Rarely do you see a husband and wife perform in showcases (except of recent maybe Calvin & Debra Ota, Richard & Lynn, and Paul & Marie Laderta). Closing the Dance Exhibition part of the program were Dr. Michael and Trudy Uechi who entertained the audience with their rendition of the International Foxtrot and Waltz Medley. It was a good combination and very well performed.

All the exhibition dancers were awarded with gifts at the end of the program.
Herbet Omizo was honored for Ticket Sales assisted by Ed Dunn. Then Door Prizes were given out to the lucky ticket holders which (ahem) I was one of the fortunate ones.