It was Divino Ritmo Dance Studio's last Tuesday social event for this month organized by Professional Instructors Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova. We finally got to meet them face to face and they are friendly and easy to talk to.
A lot of Latin and Swing rhythm filled the air and they were so enticing that we couldn't resist joining the large crowd of dancers on the floor. If you ever had the chance to dance to the music and vocals by the Gonzales, you know you've danced to the renditions with one of the best vocal duos on Oahu. But tonight Jesse went solo and he was rich with the best arrangements we've heard in a long time. Jesse played the electronic keyboard, operated the synthesizer, and handled the vocals. At times, friends of the Gonzales jumped in to entertain....Baby Handl did some crooning of her own accompanied by Jesse, and a big surprise when Yanna picked up the guitar and started to strum. No sound from the guitar but you got to appreciate her gyration as she mimic like Elvis. That brought cheers and applauses. There were some side entertainments also with Leo Tomas dancing some sensuous movements with Gloria Padasdao....all for fun.
To keep the action going, Yanna called everyone to the dance floor for a mini-lesson on the International Cha Cha step by step...it went real good partner dancing with music.
But it wasn't all partner dancing last night...Jesse turned on a Mambo tune and a large portion of the crowd got turned on to the Mambo line dance.
Lani and I met several dancers besides our hosts..."Uncle" Westley and Sandra, Mike and Lorrie, Leo and Gloria, Baby Handl, Ed and Ceci (who were seated on our table), Ed and Charlotte, Jackson and June, and Debra, a Black Pool competition dancer who I had the pleasure of dancing with.
It was also good feeling dancing with our host Marie who is an ardent showcase dancer with husband Paul.
By this time the white wine, French fries, and quesadillas courtesy of Paul and Marie had reached its peak and my body heat was on high. 10 PM rolled by and it was a good time as any to leave the Cupola and bid our hosts and friends "adios muchachos" and hit the highway back home. It was an extremely fun night with some impromptu entertainments and social dancing.
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Divino Ritmo Dance Studio hosts social dancing at the Cupola the last Tuesday of each month 7-10 PM.
