Harry Comes Of Age At 75

WOW! What a night of exciting entertainment, burn the floor dancing, association with friends and new friends, and onolicious entries. But before I go into the main show, I gotta welcome the birthday boy to the Three Quarter Century Club since I'm his senior by a (ahem)year or (ahem) so just as long as Harry Martinucci will keep in mind the motto of the makule guys as the journey to 100 gets a little closer...."There May Be Snow On The Roof But There's Still A Lot Of Fire In The Basement".


Lani and I were invited to Harry's birthday celebration at the Elks Club in Waikiki hosted by his wife Maryann and children Steven and Jean this past Wednesday. A lot of Harry and Maryann's friends were in attendance.



And the Entertainer's Entertainer Augie Rey with multi-talented musicians Bobby King on guitar, and Dennis Graue on keyboard provided rich entertainment and danceable dancing music. So enticing was the first Rumba music, that Lani and I were drawn to the dance floor. Others were drawn to the dance floor when the good old Swing music echoed throughout the room.



Harry and Maryann got the floor heated up for others to join them in the Swing. Then the Cha Cha Cha brought the next wave of dancers to the floor. During the whole evening, Augie got everyone involved with the entertainment singing and dancing.



What a beautiful singing voice Maryann has as she sang a love song to Harry accompanied by her talented son Steven on the guitar. Augie commented that she should be on "American Idol".



The talent didn't stop there. Daughter Jean belted out "Route 66" with Augie that wowed the audience as much as her mom's singing.



Augie did a little "Satchamo" interpretation. It was terrifico! Then the microphone was handed to each guest to say a joke. There were a few but most everyone wished Harry a Happy Birthday and more to come.



More dancing followed.....the Electric Slide, slow dancing, and even the Conga Line Dance. But Swing, Rumba, and Cha Cha were the favorite dances including free style disco. Got my share of dancing with the ladies (Lani, Tiare, Yvonne) on my table and with MaryAnn, Jean, Stacy (Steven's main squeeze), and a young cutie who danced a mixture of swing and free style disco.
It was a very enjoyable night of great entertainment, guests participation, and hot, hot dancing that moves the soul.

Christmas Party With Sandy Zook & Friends

Christmas Party with Sandy Zook and Friends was submitted by Guest Author Sandy Zook.




There was lots of singing and dancing (line & partner) plus dance performances by The Eclectics (Ron Yasuda, Marian Bernal, Sam Yong, Lisa Tokunaga, Mark Bryant, and Sandy Zook).




The evening started with waltz. Lani Sierra taught "Waltz Across Texas" to a group of line dancers in the back of the room while Sandy and Mark reviewed waltz steps with a group of partners in the front of the room. The music came on and people either danced or sat at their seats and sang along to "Away in the Manger" and "Silent Night".




The dancers got a small break while The Eclectics performed a waltz to "Let There Be Peace On Earth".



Afterwards, nearly everyone got up on the dance floor and Sandy taught two line dances to "Here Comes Santa" and "Winter Wonderland" followed by another performance to "Frosty Snowman" and a Viennese Waltz to "Let It Be Christmas" while the audience sang along.




Then there was swing. Lani and Sam taught line dancing in the back and Mark and Sandy reviewed East Coast Swing for the partners. This was followed by a swing performance to "Rockin A Round Christmas Tree".




Next the Cha Cha. Who can resist. Nearly everyone got up on the dance floor and either did line dancing or partner dancing.
For the grand finale, the Eclectics did a musical Christmas story to a medley of 9 dances. There was waltz, cha cha, 2step, swing routines, line dances, and more. The audience had a booklet of lyrics to help them sing along.




I think the party was a great success with everyone hugging and wishing their neighbor a Merry Christmas.

Dance Class Schedule For Spring 2010

Aloha Students of Dance,

Here's the schedule for the CSA dance classes. All classes are from 7 to 9 PM. Registration for the CSA classes are Jan.9-21 at Kaimuki CSA or Kaiser CSA. Tuition Fee is $40 pp for 10 week/2 hrs. CSA dance classes are for Beginners to Advanced dancers.

At Koko Head Elementary School, Dance Hawaii Kai dance classes are 7 to 9 PM for Absolute Beginners Waltz and Rumba starting on January 19. Registration is at 6:30 PM on that day. Membership is $5.00 for January to December 2010. Fee is $10.00 for both classes and will run for 8 weeks. All monies collected for the dance classes will be donated to Koko Head Elementary School.

"Swing Time" Big Whips Coming To Honolulu

"Swing Time" article submitted by Guest Author Sandy Zook.

Doug and Jackie Miranda are coming to town.
Saturday Jan. 9th 9:00a – 3:30p and
Sunday, Jan. 10th 10:00a – 4:30p
at 100th Battalion Club House, 520 Kamoku Street

Tuesday, Jan. 12th 6:00p – 9:00p
at Palladium

Thursday, Jan 14th 1:00p – 8:00p
at Manoa Valley Rec Center – Manoa Rd, past 5-way stop

2 sessions per day: Each session is $10 or attend both in one day $15
No lunch served. Please bring own lunch/snacks and water container.
Contact Sandy Zook, 988-1818 or fun_books@hotmail.com for more details.



Doug and Jackie Miranda are Executive Producers/Directors of "Swing Time" at The Grand Majestic Theater in Tennessee and "Vegas Dance Explosion" in Las Vegas, Nevada

On New Year's Eve 2009

Here's the latest scoop on Dance Hawaii Kai start date. Because of the time needed for dance exhibition rehearsals for the upcoming Dance Aliamanu 1st Anniversary & Charity Ball on January 15, the instructors decided to start on January 19 after the Ball. More info at: www.dance-aliamanu.org.


So where were we on New Year eve? Lani and I joined some friends for dinner and dance at the Waikiki Yacht Club. Good turn out with lots of young people but a lot more seniors. Dined with some friends of our host from the Big Island Kona, New York, Michigan, and Tahiti. Appetizer stuffed spinach mushrooms and the asparagus soup were good to tease the appetite. Main meal lobster tail with melted butter, diced red rose potato, and breaded veggie came a bit later. Just onolicious concluding with mixed berries fruit cup, mocha cheesecake and coffee. There were other entries but this meal was filling enough for us. Now to the dancing. The first group was a guitar player with synthesizer and a singer. Mostly ballad stuff and not much for dancing.


The second group played non-stop rock and roll music of the 70's. Reminded me of when my teenage son played in a band in the early 70's music like the Clearwater Revival guys. Not much for partner dancing except for one or two EC Swing. Boogie dancing was king for the night since it was a no-holds type dancing with lots of do-it-by-yourself gyration. (I gave it a try at least once just for the sport of it). Not real dancing but the younger generation loved it. The music was very loud; sounded like the rock band was trying to compete with fireworks explosion bursting in the night sky at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.


Most of the seniors had moved far away from the dance floor by then. It was a new New Year's experience for Lani and me but one that we'll gladly leave behind with all the woes of 2009.
Anyway, we're looking forward to a better year in 2010. Hope you are, too.

Dancing @The Palladium-January 2010

Well the New Year is just about rolling in in a few hours. So just to get all you dancers who frequent the Palladium a heads-up, here's the January 2010 schedule courtesy of KI of the Dance Fever Website. I've never met KI or know what he looks like, but for those who know him or will have occasion to meet him, please go ahead and give him the shaka sign and thank him for providing the monthly Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse schedule of events. Thanks, KI.
(click on graphic to zoom in)

Tango... The Dance That Expresses Love and Hate

Can the International style Tango, the Argentine Tango, the Filipino Tango, and the American style Tango be danced with the same tempo music? Eight couples met at Radford HIgh School yesterday (Sunday) to choose the Tango music that would be compatible to all four dance styles. The music chosen is upbeat and stimulating with heavy drama. Richard and Lynn Nakamura is spearheading this "let's show the audience the different styles of Tango that is offered by Dance Hawaii" showcase with valuable assistance from two well known showcase performers Reggie Gascon and Gayle Kawahakui.
All for fun and entertainment and dancing at the same time, there will be four couples on the International Tango, two couples on the American Tango, one couple on the Filipino Tango, and one couple on the Argentine Tango. Can they all dance with the same tempo music? Well, we'll find out for sure come January 15 at the Dance Aliamanu 1st Anniversary & Charity Ball.
And dat's a wrap for this last Sunday 2009.

Dance Aliamanu Instructors Gets Feted

This past Tuesday night Dance Aliamanu honored their dance instructors with a 7-course Christmas dinner at the Imperial Chinese Restaurant at Pearlridge. Along with Dance Aliamanu President Maurice Morita and lovely wife Gilda, there were about 41 in attendance. Not all of them instructors but well wishers for another successful year for this growing dance organization. In less than a year, Dance Aliamanu has stretched out from its homebase in the Salt Lake area to Kaneohe (Kapunahala Elementary), Honolulu (Washington Middle), and Hawaii Kai (Koko Head Elementary).


Lani and I are new to this organization knowing only a handful of instructors from our stint with HBDA. But we sat at a table where we got acquainted with some new faces (Larry & Candace, and Eddie & Wally, and Jim B.), and Maurice & Gilda, and Andy & Monica Pascua.


After dinner (which incidently was so delicious that there was nothing left on our table to doggy bag and take home), and when everyone was settled, Maurice gave a short speech on the direction Dance Aliamanu was headed into the new year.


He then introduced all the dance instructors and thanked them for volunteering their time for past services and for being there in the coming year. He also recognized our music DJs Michael Chinnen and Andy Pascua, and Derrick and Kieko for designing the instructors' shirts.


Stan and Maurice were the photographers last night. I was the elusive paparazzo snapping away with my little digital cam at anyone that talks and breaths as I went table-hopping meeting new faces. It was a good night for getting together with the other instructors, also.


Dance Hawaii Kai opens with the two dances that draw the most dancers to the hardwood floor; the Waltz and the Rumba on Tuesday January 12, 2010, 7PM at Koko Head Elementary School. More on this later.
(left click on photo to zoom in)

Dancing The 3rd Week Of December

A Visit With Doug Kessler
It's Monday and the start of a new week. Got a call from Doug Kessler in the afternoon. No, in fact he was returning my call that I made earlier. Okay, every dancer on this island knows the dancing maestro who puts on the most exciting, entertaining and well received dance showcases at least two times a year. Arrangement was made to visit the studio for a few photo shoot. I stopped by the Keep On Dancing Studio at 7 PM where Mr Kessler holds his classes. Of course, there was a motive for my visit. My son, Nick and his partner Junie were going to be there for dance lessons, and I also wanted to meet Doug Kessler in person. So there I was watching the maestro teach the Cha Cha, the Samba, and the Rumba. You gotta be impressed with Doug Kessler and his teaching method. He teaches steps, musicality, styling and theory with each lesson and with patience. What a deal if you ever want to learn how to dance from one of the well-known professional dance teachers in the islands. More on Doug Kessler when I get the announcement of his upcoming Mardi Gras showcase in March 2010.



Lani takes a Crash Course in Country Line Dancing
Yes, you read right. Lani took a crash course in the Country Waltz, Cha Cha, and the Swing to assist Sandy Zook in the Christmas showcase at Kahala Nui just 24 hours before showtime.



The Kahala Nui Christmas Party featuring Sandy Zook and The Eclectics in a showcase with dancing and singing was held on Friday afternoon in the Diamond Head Rooom. The room was packed with Seniors and guests at the Senior Living. It was an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon with Seniors joining in on the Country Line Dances at one end of the room and partner dancing on the main stage.



I won't go too heavy on this event because Sandy promises a cover story on this blog soon. So I'm just gonna sneak a photo of the Choreographer Sandy Zook and The Eclectics. Stay tuned.



Friday night, John and Alicia of Star-Struck Dance Studio in Hawaii Kai invited me to their studio Christmas Party. I got there a little early for the party but in time to observe their students learning the Hustle from Alicia. Good basic steps for any beginning dancer. The studio was well decorated with the Christmas spirit and there were refreshments laid out for the party. General dancing started after the group lesson. John and Alicia hosts free dance lessons at Koko Marina Center Courtyard on the first Friday of each month. Checkout their website for more info.

The Palladium December 2009 Schedule

I finally got the December Schedule. Thanks to George Santos who had a spare one in his pocket and was more than willing to share one with me. On this late date, the clipboard that holds the printed schedule is kaput....no more. So lucky me, thanks to George, I got one and able to post it on this blog for everyone. Now, if you see George at the Palladium, go tell him, "Eh, Keoki, mahalo, bro!" And maybe I'll be lucky to get the Palladium January 2010 Schedule from him.

(If da buggah too small to read, just left click da mouse on da schedule)

What A First Week In December It Has Been!

Lani and I concluded our last dance class for this Fall Session on Monday at Ali'iolani CSA on the Cha Cha and the Jitterbug, two HHSAA Football Championship games at the Aloha Stadium, introduction of New Cha Cha Line Dance by Andy and Monica at Dance Aliamanu, USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball featuring the Diamond Head Theater Shooting Stars preshowing before the showcase of up and coming top amateur ballroom couple Marco Camarlenghi and Martina Minasi at the Palladium, and StarStruck Dance Studio first monthly free dance lessons at Koko Marina Center with certified professional dance instructors John and Alicia Aros. (note: see bio on Marco and Martina by Calvin Ota on the Town Dancer blog, and bio on John and Alicia by Geoffrey Fells on the Dancing In The Dark blog).

Lani and I topped off the Cha Cha with the Circle Breaks and Shoulder Check ending with the Half Moon pattern. I think the students loved the combination because they kept on dancing well into the first 15 minutes of the second hour. After a short recess and review of the previous Jitterbug patterns, Lani and I taught the Travelling Swivels, and Shoulder Check with Touch The Back Tuck ending. With Rock Around The Clock blaring and the students having fun dancing, it was hard for me to call it a night after the nine o'clock quitting time.


Maurice Morita, President of Dance Aliamanu e-mailed me that Andy and Monica were going to teach a new extended version of the Cha Cha Line Dance at Aliamanu Middle School on Thursday. Regardless of the heavy rains and strong winds, Lani and I decided to venture again into Central Oahu. It was a good turnout for there were others who braved the not-so-nice weather. The new Cha Cha version has some good Latin variations which are in tune with the music and dance. It should be a hit on the dance floor at the Dance Aliamanu 1st Anniversary and Charity Ball in January.

As for the USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball, Guest Authors Ravi and Synthia have a terrific first hand audience reaction on Marco and Martina's peformances in Dancing In The Dark blog. After reading that blog, scroll down to "Talk To The Animals" at the Honolulu Zoo blog. It's happening this Sunday (Dec. 6). Ravi sez that admission is $4 pp as you enter at the exit gate; the entrance gate will be closed.


Friday evening rolled in and thank goodness no heavy rain..in fact no rain at all..just strong cold winds and every other thing that happened on Friday. Football games, big shindig at the Palladium, and of course the weather. Met John and Alica Aros at the Koko Marina Center Courtyard for the StarStruck Dance Studio Demo and free dance lessons. Enticing Latin music was blaring over the speakers for this first Friday of the month event. I guess with all the other events going on, the turnout was low but that did not hamper the instructors and students spirit. Three of my dance students, two students of StarStruck Studio, and a couple of walk-by ladies joined in for the free Mambo and Rumba dance lessons.






John and Alicia Aros demonstrated the basic steps as they taught the Mambo during the first hour and then the Rumba during the second hour. John and Alicia will be giving free dance lessons on the first Friday of each month at the Koko Marina Center Courtyard. For more info please log on their website at www.starstruck-studio.com.
And dat's a wrap for now.

Dance Classes @Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai

Alicia and John Aros, Certified Professional Dance Instructors of Star Struck Studios will be conducting dance classes in the Rumba from 5PM to 5:45PM, and the Mambo from 6PM to 6:45PM at the Koko Marina Courtyard this Friday December 4th. No experience needed, beginners encouraged to come for these free lessons. For more info please contact Alicia and John Aros at ph.395-0976.

Palladium Monthly Dance Schedule

Looking to go dancing this weekend at the Palladium but out of luck in getting a dance schedule? Well, no hu hu! Just log in to www.dancefeveroahu.com or bettah yet click on the link on the right.

Talk To The Animals

Okay, Students of Dance. If you go to the zoo and talk to the animals like Dr. Doolittle, they'll probably whisper, "Hele mai kua ko kakou Kekemapa eono."
Loosely translated "Come back to our house December 6). Guest Authors Ravi and Synthia have again got their fingers on the pulse of upcoming performances by the talented 7 to 17years young DHT Shooting Stars. If you have the succulent taste for Broadway musicals, this is one event you won't want to miss. Please check with the Honolulu Zoo for more info.

ContraDancers Hawaii @Moiliili Community Center

Aloha Students of Dance. There's another weekend event hosted by ContraDancers Hawaii. If you're in the mood for top spinning dancing with calls like the Square Dance or Circle Dance, you might want to check out this venue.

Contra Dance, Saturday Evening, November 21st 7:00-9:00 pm. Moiliili Community Center, 2535 S. King St. (near University Ave.) 2nd floor, above Moiliili Thrift Store. Make a right turn into the driveway immediately after you pass the "Down to Earth" health food store.


Live music by "Whiskey Starship":
Abby Brown, flute
Kevin Craven, fiddle
Jeff Klein, mandolin, banjo, and guitar
Dennis Suyeoka, mandocello
John Kahle, guitar
Robert Bley-Vroman, keyboard
Caller: Darrow Hand

Your $7.00 donation will help cover costs. It is a good idea to bring water to drink, as there is no drinking fountain in the building.

NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: If you haven't danced before, get there early. The first part of the evening is especially good for getting a feel for what it's about. The caller will explain and teach all moves. Also, you can show up a few minutes before the dance begins, and the caller will be happy to give you a brief explanation and demonstration.

USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball

Aloha Students of Dance,
Just got this poster from Ravi and Synthia. For more info on the Showcase performers, please go to the Town Dancer blogsite. Calvin has a short bio on Marco Camarlenghi and Martina Minasi. Also for a pre-show performance, try to get there early for the Diamond Head Theater Shooting Stars.
(Left click mouse on graphic to zoom in)

Cruising The 3rd Week Of November

Aloha Students of Dance. I hope you were able to take in all those mellow news by Calvin, June, Maile, and of course da mysterious Specter on the links to this blogsite. I've been laying low for awhile but not too low that I'm out of touch. I gotta thank Ravi and Synthia for their contribution to the Dancing In The Dark blogsite on The Festival of Lights, and the upcoming Diamond Head Theater Christmas With Jim Nabors. They are pretty much connected with the Diamond Head Theater Shooting Stars, the USA Dance Organization, and the Lotus dancers. So stay tuned for more happening from them.

This past Sunday, Lani and I cruised over to Radford HS to observe the Dance Aliamanu Showcase practice choreographed by Andy and Monica. We were invited to participate with the eight couples but with such a short time to pick up the routine before the big event, we had to decline. However, it is a captivating medley and one to watch and enjoy come January 15.


Our Monday night Cha Cha and Jitterbug class went okay. Despite the strong winds and rain, we had a good turnout of students. Lani and I taught the Circle Breaks in the Cha Cha before going back to reviewing some of the previous patterns. We did the same for the Jitterbug after Lani and I taught the Shoulder Check.



Tuesday night is when Lani and I become students of Andy and Monica in the Filipino Tango. This was our 4th lesson and we were very eager to learn the Grapevine pattern that Andy and Monica had demonstrated last week. New students had shown up on this
4th week of lesson. I think it was a blessing, too, because everyone was in favor of going over the patterns in Block 2, and 3.
The Fiqure 4 leg lift, the two cross hands underarm turns became much clearer and danceable. As we progressed into the Grapevine pattern, the Filipino Tango became easier to dance with music.

The winds were pretty strong Wednesday evening as Lani and I headed for Kaiser CSA for our Foxtrot and Tango class but it was much cooler than the Wednesday before. I guess I got into the Grapevine fever from the evening before. So Lani and I taught the Grapevine pattern in the Foxtrot before reviewing some of the other patterns. The students were really into it and started to form their own combination of patterns. This was the goal that Lani and I had set for our students and it was coming into play.
Since our students were dancing the Grapevine with other patterns so well, the Grapevine fever hit me once more. What's good for the Foxtrot has gotta be good for the Tango, I thought. So Lani and I taught the Grapevine pattern in the Tango and it worked out very well with the students. (Info: The American Tango Grapevine pattern is not the same as the Filipino Tango Grapevine).
That's a wrap for now.

Being A Weight Watcher In Da Jitterbug

Aloha Students of Dance! It's no big secret that you gotta Watch Your Weight no matter what style of dance you're learning. So for the moment, let's talk JITTERBUG...the one that Dr. J calls it America's coolest dance. Dr. J mentions five secrets of Jitterbug success but for now let's leave the secrets where they belong....to Victoria. Here's his pitch on my top of the chart Swing Dancing.
"One thing you've got to be aware of while learning to dance is where your weight is. I don't mean the effects of a diet, or where you stashed your barbells. I mean which foot you're putting your weight on. Be conscious of where your weight is supposed to be, and how it changes from step to step. Dance is a smooth motion, and your steps should be smooth and light. If your weight is placed incorrectly, your whole body will be out of position. You won't be in place for the next step, and the move won't work. Plus, you'll throw your partner off." AUWE!
Here's two simple rules he sez to remember: "(1)When stepping, always put your weight on the leading foot (the one you've stepped with), and (2)Watch out for Godzilla Feet. Stepping is not an invitation to imitate Godzilla, stomping around the dance floor like a 40-ton prehistoric monster. When you change weight, don't plunk your feet down as if they were made of lead. Keep your weight in the front, on the balls of your feet."
Mighty good tips from Dr. J on being a Weight Watcher. He adds: The only one reason to learn Jitterbug....TO HAVE FUN!
Dat's a wrap for now. (Photo: Da big guy with sharp teeth is from Dinosaurs Unearthed Exhibit at the Bishop Museum).

Getting Stuck On Filipino Tango

Aloha Students of Dance. Well another Tuesday rolled by and Lani and I are back at Dance Aliamanu getting our second taste of the Filipino Tango with Andy and Monica. There were a lot more students tonight than last week. And it was a good thing there were new faces in the crowd 'cause it meant that Andy and Monica had to review the first block of patterns for the new ones as well as for us and those who needed the brush up. After several reps on Block One, our instructors demonstrated variations of how we could sweeten the dance moves with continuous girl underarm turns or spot turns. Nice for the guys but could make the girls dizzy after awhile if they are not use to spinning. The patterns in Block Two was fun to dance. Leg lifts in figure four form and a rapid turn to Crossover Break ending with Spot Turn was a snap, thanks to Andy and Monica's well defined instructions and demonstrations. With the music playing, it was much easier to dance the patterns of both Blocks One and Two the length of the song. As Andy had hinted to the students, musicality was the key to dancing smoothly the Filipino Tango...... just hang loose and let the music dictate the moves.

Dance Fundraising, A New Venue

Okay, Students of Dance, all kidding aside. Fundraising for a good cause but it's not a new idea. For dancing events?....maybe it's new. Last week it was USADance who issued a challenge to other dance clubs to get on the bandwagon to help the victims of natural disasters in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Samoa through fundraising. (I'm hoping one of the Guest Authors for DnD will share the experience of that event with us). This weekend, HBDA is hosting a fundraiser at the Palladium for the same cause. Should be a fun night of dancing and a Costume Contest to boot. HBDA's Masquerade Ball has always been a crowd pleaser in the past and should continue to be so this Saturday. The kids had fun this Halloween dressed up in their favorite hero's costume. Now it's the grownups' turn to go Treat-Spooking without the Tricks. For more info, scoot over to June's announcement on the Dance West Oahu and Town Dance blogsites.