The Red Rock Room was spacious enough for the approximately 100 guests. No Host Cocktails and General Dancing started at 6PM. Like all dance events, there's always the Lovelies that greet the guests at the Reception Table with their friendly smile and these lovely ladies were no exception.
The Event Coordinators and Ticket Sales were IBDI Prez Christopher Jay, Marsha Ninomiya, and Lynn Nakamura and they did a fantastic job organizing this event. Big kudos to Richard and Lynn Nakamura for putting up an exciting showcase program, too. But it was time for Prez Chris Jay to take the mike and welcome both IBDI and Dance Hawaii members, and guests. It was a welcome speech full of friendliness and comarade. Bob Nishimura, Treasurer for Dance Hawaii also gave a welcome speech which was equally heart warming.
We really lucked on the Music Players. We had not only one but three DeeJays that spun the web of the most appealing danceable music. And during dinner, they played all soft Latin music...Bolero and Rumba which were very soothing when dining and having a conversation with friends and new acquaintences sitting at the same table.
Talent was not reserved only for the dancers. Chudy Amazaki treated the guests with a beautiful solo sung partly in Japanese. And just like the reality show, Dancing With The Stars, Henry and Joann Rimas demonstrated their talent as accomplished dancers in a solo dance while Chudy sang. Certainly a very nice touch for this event.
General Dancing continued till 7PM and then it was time to replenish our energy with the Buffet Dinner. Renna Villanueva gave a wonderful invocation with words straight from the heart...very touching. The buffet was ono and the desserts were plentiful...I couldn't stop at one piece of Dobash cake with coconut frosting, but at two I did, much to the encouragement of my main squeeze!
To add to the goodies, Helen Inase donated Favors from Las Vegas Jerky, Etc. Not quite the ordinary Favors since they came in useable green purse-like pouches. Very classy!
Then it was SHOWTIME at 8:45. Lani and I felt that this Showcase was going to be special and a spectacular one with the addition of the "Dance Now Team" from Los Angeles, and the "Rebel Dance Sport Team" (with Hawaii dancer Joshua Manzano) from the University of Nevada.
Sergio and Renna Villanueva opened the Dance Exhibition with a Sizzling Cha Cha. This couple has always given their best surprise and innovative performances that thrilled the audience in Honolulu whether it be smooth or rhythm dancing. Their rendition of the Cha Cha in Vegas was a hot number indeed! There was a slight accident in their performance that could happen to any exhibition dancers (you've seen it happen even in Dancing With The Stars), but true to their professionalism and Dancersport experience Sergio and Renna continued on without a break in rhythm. It was a terrific performance that I hope they will do again in Honolulu.
Dancing is ageless as the "Dance Now Team" from LA performed a Medley of Quickstep, Jitterbug, and Swing. The "Team" of active seniors wowed the audience with their fast and nimble footwork, and flexible body movements. A little magical change in costumes to harmonize with the tempo of the music added more wows and applauses to the team's performance. Dancing at non-stop speed on all three dances, the "Team" included Bill Steaber & Barbara Greenlaw, Bill Morey & Gee Gee Barde, Jim & Andrea Gutman,and Frank Trapp & Keiko Isshiki. It was an enjoyable performance and very well done.
The temperature rose sometime during the evening and like at the Palladium in Honolulu, slowly those hand-held fans started to appear. I thought the appearance of the Rebel Dance Sport Team was the cause of it, since they were hidden from view until they stepped into the ballroom. The costumes worn by the guys and gals were colorful ala Las Vegas show performers. The young college students were from the University of Nevada that competes in dance contests throughout the USA. The Medley of International Cha Cha, Rumba, Quickstep, Samba, and Swing performed by Alex Andres & Kristine Glori, Steven Knapp & Arlene Losloso, Innie Kim & Maria Amezcua, and Joshua Manzano & Kimberly Reid was electrifying and very entertaining. A touch of cabaret dancing with lifts brought excitement to the performance. It was a great non-stop performance and no mere task with high speed movements filled with unbounded energy. Kudos to choreographers Amanda Haboush and Gail Michel-Parsons for a job well done!
The IBDI Formation Team comprised of Roy & Marsha Ninomiya, Edward & Candy Matsuda, Richard & Lynn Nakamura, and Larry Arinaga & Candace Yap concluded the Showcase of Exhibition Dancing with the International Quickstep. Precision and disciple of the dancers certainly showed in this dance performance choreographed by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. 
It was another eye-opener of speed dancing well done by the Formation Team from IBDI....circling the dance floor, pulling apart, and then ending in a cluster was an distintive art by itself. Clever moves for team formation exhibition dancing.
The whole Showcase was entertaining, colorful, and filled with excitement and energy to the very end. With the loud applauses that all the performers received at the finale, it was a perfect indication that the Showcase was a successful and an enjoyable one for all who were there.
General dancing continued till closing. Gotta recognize a guy and a gal who worked in the background for this event: Ray Nariyoshi (Treasurer of Las Vegas Event), and Nancy Shen (Tickets and Printing).
Left click on photos to zoom in.
