The KISS Method

By Roger Chen, Village Park:

Many years ago, in the last century, the dance disciplines developed the Bronze, Silver and Gold categories to signify advancement in the dancing fields. Of course, they included only the most difficult of the steps in each category because it would take longer to teach them. It's the money, Sonny.

 

"A dance is a measured pace, as a verse is a measured speech."

Of course, the students were all for it. They wanted to dance like a professional in six easy lessons if possible. There was no way in the world that it would happen but the entire industry arose on that one presumption. Before this time if you were taught the minuet, by professionals naturally, that was it. You could dance it anywhere and the standardization is what gave it easy acceptance. Now this was partner dancing and there was a lead and follow, two different halves of the same dance.

"Joanna" by Kool And The Gang

So the entire dance structure has developed into more movements, patterns or steps in every dance. For instance, there are now over 600 documented steps or patterns in Salsa. There ain't no way for anyone to know all of them. Which leads us back to basics, the enjoyment of moving to music with many different partners, socially, and make it easy for the lead and follow.

The KISS method is becoming more prevalent, Keep It Simple, Stupid. So the people that enjoy  moving to music, will find an enlarged Bronze division more acceptable. It would contain many more basic moves that are present in any discipline. But the lead would be easy and the ladies, (a marvel anyway) would enjoy the music without too much worry over the follow.

"That Lucky Old Sun" - Frankie Laine

There will develop more basic Samba footwork with other dances. The chassé is a basic movement throughout the world but it was complicated by the Professionals in the US and Europe. This in turn relegated it more into an exhibition thing and not for social dancing. This was definitely not the  KISS method.

You will eventually enjoy a dance as if no one is watching.

The KISS Method

By Roger Chen, Village Park:

Many years ago, in the last century, the dance disciplines developed the Bronze, Silver and Gold categories to signify advancement in the dancing fields. Of course, they included only the most difficult of the steps in each category because it would take longer to teach them. It's the money, Sonny.

 

"A dance is a measured pace, as a verse is a measured speech."

Of course, the students were all for it. They wanted to dance like a professional in six easy lessons if possible. There was no way in the world that it would happen but the entire industry arose on that one presumption. Before this time if you were taught the minuet, by professionals naturally, that was it. You could dance it anywhere and the standardization is what gave it easy acceptance. Now this was partner dancing and there was a lead and follow, two different halves of the same dance.

"Joanna" by Kool And The Gang

So the entire dance structure has developed into more movements, patterns or steps in every dance. For instance, there are now over 600 documented steps or patterns in Salsa. There ain't no way for anyone to know all of them. Which leads us back to basics, the enjoyment of moving to music with many different partners, socially, and make it easy for the lead and follow.

The KISS method is becoming more prevalent, Keep It Simple, Stupid. So the people that enjoy  moving to music, will find an enlarged Bronze division more acceptable. It would contain many more basic moves that are present in any discipline. But the lead would be easy and the ladies, (a marvel anyway) would enjoy the music without too much worry over the follow.

"That Lucky Old Sun" - Frankie Laine

There will develop more basic Samba footwork with other dances. The chassé is a basic movement throughout the world but it was complicated by the Professionals in the US and Europe. This in turn relegated it more into an exhibition thing and not for social dancing. This was definitely not the  KISS method.

You will eventually enjoy a dance as if no one is watching.

Kwik Picks

Think You have Nothing to Say, Think Again.
by Ben Spark, Manoa

I’ve been blogging for seven years. Over that time I have talked with many people about blogging. When I talk to people who are even slightly interested in blogging for themselves I inevitably run into the same argument. “But, I have nothing to write about.” I personally think that is a terrible argument. Everyone has something that they are truly passionate about and could talk for days about that subject, try it.

"Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism;

the way you play it is free will."

Latin Music
The music at the party was beautiful, for the most part, the only thing lacking was Latin music for Latin dancing. But of course, most DJs are not fully aware of this. Fortunately the live bands are beginning to know the difference. Latin is NOT the same as your Anglo Saxon favorites. "You can dance Rumba to it," is not the same as "must" dance a Rumba to it.

Latin is a completely different department throughout the world. Even the rootzi tootzis in International recognize the difference in the two Divisions. The Ballroom and the Latin Divisions are not the same. They usually have a big intermission and there is remarkable costume and environmental change from one to the other. They know there is a big difference. In Hawaii, for too many, its all "ballroom." Fortunately I have met so many that agreed with me and realize the differences. In some exhibitions, they even include the lyrics in Spanish to enhance the Latin mood.

"The Reflex" by Duran Duran

In our blogosphere on Oahu, Dancing in the Dark blog has now been selected as having the lowest in average hits per day. Acceptable for it is the newest and it will be my own personal blog. I must put in a little more effort to get the information from the people. I will also have to visit more places personally and try to convince people to contribute, "not money," but information and possibly photos.

Hopefully some of the blogs will be used to accept and promote the specialty dances on Oahu. The blogs are still in the development stages. They are too much alike because of me. They will establish their differences as we get the guest authors and the readership will soar. Those people that are interested in Line dancing, Salsa, Swing or Tango may contact us for help. All free of charge as long as you are part of our gang willing to share information. Oahu - West seem to leaning to the American Style of Dance and that is where we are hoping to get our information contributors.

"You'll Never Know" - Dick Haymes

If you just have a comment on a particular blog, just open the comments section at the bottom of the blog and write it in there. If you would like something to appear in one of the blogs, that can be arranged very easily by email. Then there are the photos, no singles, doubles or triples. The preferred is six to eight people. But I do not remember ever refusing to print one, perhaps if one of the persons in the photo is  "persona non grata," then maybe.

Of course there will be those that do not wish to participate in my endeavors. They should be free to do so, and I will respect their wishes. I am headquartered in Nanakuli and the phone is 668-7972. I am hard of hearing so phone calls to a minimum please. My email, you can get from my friends it will be quite all right.

Google Analytics Goofing Up.

It has become somewhat clearer that the hits on all the blogs have hit the wall, and it has happened on various occasions before. They have all existed in trying to make the effort of being different entities and they have not done a very good job of making it as social media.

"Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things."

But this time they have actually been decreasing quite a bit. I checked on the Internet and apparently other blogs are having trouble with the Google Analytics. Seems like their programmers can get a little screwed up just like the ones in Blogger.

The blog hits were all pretty lopsided in the beginning but they are starting to even out, and I just hope they get back the old numbers. I should know a lot more in a couple days (5 day stats) and I think they have cut back on their crawlers and spiders too, so that may also account for it.

The hits on Word Press blogs have remained at their old high levels, so I am pretty certain that it is Google Analytics goofing up. Just have to be patient.

Meanwhile, some of the DJs and many of the bands are getting better in the Latin sound. I don't mean warmed over American Style of a Latin Song. I mean more like the Reel Teeng. Of course there are so many different types it is difficult for the ordinary DJ and musician ears.

 

"Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" - Kay Kyser

Many disc jockeys complain because the dancers will not go with their hand pick new songs. They simply do not understand the cultural dancer. So many times I have heard but "you can dance rumba to it." That ain't the same thing as "you gotta dance rumba to it." Most of us know, we don't have to explain it because they will never understand. And further, it doesn't have the click, clack, ding, dang, boom, bing etc etc.

The particular song is very important and by some people better than others. A Rumba is a Rumba, right? Not with a cultural dancer. Dancing "La Hiedra" by the right arrangement and with the right partner, just the very basic movement is a rainbow out of nowhere. You want to do a few extra movements here and there, fine, but all you really need are the very basic movements, and you are dancing your favorite music. Standing the lady on her head is not cultural dancing or throwing her over your shoulder, I don't care what any expert says on that. That is something else.

Google Analytics Goofing Up.

It has become somewhat clearer that the hits on all the blogs have hit the wall, and it has happened on various occasions before. They have all existed in trying to make the effort of being different entities and they have not done a very good job of making it as social media.

"Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things."

But this time they have actually been decreasing quite a bit. I checked on the Internet and apparently other blogs are having trouble with the Google Analytics. Seems like their programmers can get a little screwed up just like the ones in Blogger.

The blog hits were all pretty lopsided in the beginning but they are starting to even out, and I just hope they get back the old numbers. I should know a lot more in a couple days (5 day stats) and I think they have cut back on their crawlers and spiders too, so that may also account for it.

The hits on Word Press blogs have remained at their old high levels, so I am pretty certain that it is Google Analytics goofing up. Just have to be patient.

Meanwhile, some of the DJs and many of the bands are getting better in the Latin sound. I don't mean warmed over American Style of a Latin Song. I mean more like the Reel Teeng. Of course there are so many different types it is difficult for the ordinary DJ and musician ears.

 

"Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" - Kay Kyser

Many disc jockeys complain because the dancers will not go with their hand pick new songs. They simply do not understand the cultural dancer. So many times I have heard but "you can dance rumba to it." That ain't the same thing as "you gotta dance rumba to it." Most of us know, we don't have to explain it because they will never understand. And further, it doesn't have the click, clack, ding, dang, boom, bing etc etc.

The particular song is very important and by some people better than others. A Rumba is a Rumba, right? Not with a cultural dancer. Dancing "La Hiedra" by the right arrangement and with the right partner, just the very basic movement is a rainbow out of nowhere. You want to do a few extra movements here and there, fine, but all you really need are the very basic movements, and you are dancing your favorite music. Standing the lady on her head is not cultural dancing or throwing her over your shoulder, I don't care what any expert says on that. That is something else.

The Internationals

I am glad to see Richie bringing some Internationals into Town Dancer blog. The only International here is Calvin Ota and he has a big readership of International people. And although I am just a social dancer, I think they should have a voice in the dance community. They have a different way of dancing and I can live with that. And Town Dancer would be a perfect avenue.

 

"The truest expression of a people is in their dance and in their music. Bodies never lie."

Mr. Sugino and wife Joanne, introduced International Style of dance to the Ballroom dance scene in the late 60's and they were instrumental in creating the Pan Pacific Dance Society. And they have been instrumental in creating other dance clubs also dedicated to the promotion of International Style of Dance. And since then, according to our connections, their studios have consistently produced the best International Style Dancers in the Pacific, bar none.

The Cultural Dancer will be the main focus in all our blogs but we can certainly include news of the peripherals. Line, Salsa, Swing and Tango too. And the Cultural Dancer DJs have a better understanding of the difference in Caucasian music and Latin music. Just because the music has a quick, quick and a chasse beat does not make it a Cha Cha Cha to a Cultural Dancer. An Information and/or Photos contributor from any of these peripherals would be welcomed. Could lead to be a Guest Author and get their opinion in for the reader/dancers.

 

"This Land Is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie

The Famous Announcer, Joe Hernandez at the Santa Anita Race Track
in California, looking through his binoculars, many years ago.

"Coming around the back stretch, it's Town Dancer in front by a length and a half. Honolulu Dance Club is second by a head, Oahu And Beyond is third by two lengths, number four - -, five - -, six - - and Dancing in the Dark. When he got to the "and" you knew that was the horse in last place."

"Through these blogs read the most informed cultural dancers in the Pacific."

 

 

Prestats

So the entire blogosphere for January is looking bleak. The rail tragedy is having its effect on the dancing environment. And of course,  Caldwell  is making it worse. It's the bread, Fred. I expected it to get farther than December and  but what do I know? Town Dancer, our number one blog is down to about 180 average hits per day. And I expect to let is cruise downward. I have to work on the others.

Notice the difference between what happens when people say to themselves,

"I have failed three times," and what happens when they says, "I am a failure."

 

Honolulu Dance Guide which was once neck and neck with Oahu And Beyond is now way ahead of OAB at over 150 average hits per day. Whatever they are doing must be right because they are catching up to Town Dancer which is also falling behind.

Those are the top runners for the present. I know what we have lacking and I will do what I can. First we need the Information and Photo Contributors. Hard to find and they should do as they please. They are needed not only for present contributions but also for the possibility of being a Guest Author.

"Sentimental Journey" - Les Brown (Doris Day)

All the rest of the herd is at the bottom and two that are showing promise are Oahu - West and Central Valley. When we get those going, they will help carry the rest of them. But it will be slow going. Like all the others, the differences of opinions and the different favorites in photos will be factors. Hits will go through the roof. Someone has sure missed on the free computer in the side bar. Tough.

The bus calamity is getting worse so I cannot move around the way I use to. And with Caldwell in charge it does not look at all promising. The rail catastrophe comes first and the people be damned. It's the money, Sonny. The big bucks in profits.

"Auld Lang Syne" - Guy Lombardo
 

For us older folks: Good news is that you can increase the density of your brain "forest" (hold back Alzhiemer's weed whacker) at any time in your life. Why? Your brain doesn't know how old you are - and doesn't care. Your brain just wants to be in a stimulating environment and that is something you can do at any age.

Reading, writing, crossword puzzles, playing board or card games, participating in dancing and playing music all may help to keep your mind agile and "dense." Even when you use to be able to take bus rides around the island.

Pub's Side Note: Some of the wheels in the dance community have to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I will not do that. If they do not want it they shall not have it. But the sign on the door I leave open still says welcome.