The dance at the Palladium was a complete sellout and a big success.....Strictly SRO. Faithful Dana and a few new faces manned the Reception Table this time. Got our ono bento but was too excited to chow down. So into the ice cooler went the good stuff for a midnight snack. Official greeters also were new faces from Friday night...Marsha Ninomiya, Christopher & Charlene Jay, and a few other friendly faces who were passing out anniversary gifts.
Seats were at a premium but there was a Reserved Section for celebrities which I thought was classy. As the dynamic EmCee, Kay Yahiku, mentioned.....tonight was the largest (wall to wall) crowd that she had ever seen in any event at the Palladium.
DeeJays Henry and Jane were there once more to spin the best of the best danceable music.
Prez Christopher Jay gave a different kine of Welcome Speech but it still was in the same vein honoring all those volunteers who made IBDI a successful and one of the largest membership dance organization on Oahu, and also to give appreciation to the dancers from Japan who put on a terrific showcase performance at the Pacific Beach.
IBDI 1st Vice Prez Grace Nohara danced the V. Waltz/Foxtrot Medley with Professional Shinobu Matsuura from Japan in the Showcase. Grace is such an accomplished dancer that it was wonderful to see her perform at a very high level exhibition dance. Mr. Shinobu Matsuura was masterful in all the dances but the most thrilling was his speed and control in the Tango. Wow! it was hot and spectacular. With the addition of the Swing by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the program brought some humor to the showcase. Everyone performed with precision that made this Showcase very enjoyable to watch. I must mention the two young couple Keisuke Okamoto and Ami Tsukakoshi who were magnificent and electrifying in the Cha Cha, Rumba, and the Samba. They were HOT! HOT! HOT!
General dancing continued till closing but alas burning my A** OFF two nights in a row took its toll and this not-so-young-dancer needed to go the way of Sayonara.
(Left click on photo to zoom in)
