Dancing in the Philippines Rerun #72

Philippine jailhouse rocks to Thriller
The most popular video clip is a version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The unusual physical fitness regime at a jail in the Philippines has attracted worldwide attention on the video sharing website, You Tube. A clip of hundreds of prisoners in orange uniforms dancing to Michael Jackson's song Thriller has been watched more than 1.3 million times.

"Seeing a murder on television can help work off one's antagonisms. And if you

haven't any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some."

The routine is the brainchild of Byron Garcia, a security consultant for the Cebu provincial government. He said it had helped "drastically" improve inmate behaviour. And two former inmates have since become dancers.

Discipline in action: The dancing is compulsory for all 1,600 inmates at the prison in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre, except the elderly and infirm. Prisoners have also performed to songs by local artists, Queen and from the film Sister Act, clips of which have been watched on You Tube tens of thousands of times.

 

"Jailhouse Rock" - Elvis Presley

"Using music, you can involve the body and the mind. The inmates have to count, memorise steps and follow the music," Mr Garcia told the BBC news website. "Inmates say to me: 'You have put my mind off revenge, foolishness, or thinking how to escape from jail, or joining a gang'," he said.

The routines developed last year after Mr Garcia started making inmates march to music, such as Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, in a bid to increase participation in exercise The inmates are very happy at the interest, they are always talking about it.

Other early choices included In the Navy and YMCA by the Village People, which were chosen so that macho inmates "wouldn't be offended by being asked to dance". Mr Garcia has been taken back by the worldwide popularity of the clips, which he originally posted in order to share his work with other members of the penal community.

 

"Prisoner Of Love" - Perry Como

"I wanted to show them that I am doing something here that has been a success, to show discipline in action," he said. And the videos have now become a source of great pride for the prisoners. "The inmates are very happy at the interest, they are always talking about it, and they ask how many people have watched it on YouTube," Mr Garcia.

Pub's Side Note: Ordinary Communication Media is to whom it may concern, one way, newsletters, email flyers, web sites. They do their job but nuttin' like a blog.

The Manly Art of Dance Strategy Rerun #70

From Dancing USA, 2000
By the Seagulls

Whether by nature or by nurture even in social situations, we men tend to think in terms of military-like strategies. In social dancing, we often feel that we must perform superlatively, which keeps many men away from dancing. We who have taken dance lessons, however, have joined the fray and willingly put ourselves in the line of fire, so to speak.

 "Yes, you can't take it with you, but that's the only place you can go without it."

Now that we are ready  to dance, there are some “rules of engagement,” which may help us carry out our mission in a social dance. So first we cover the general rules, then discuss specific stratagies for dancing partners of different skill levels.

The object of social dancing is to have a few enjoyable moments together (and sometimes to chat after.) It takes away from the magic to hear, “Oh, I am a terrible dancer,” or “Are you sure you want to dance with me? I’m just a beginner.” Such statements over-focus on the skill issue, ignoring the social compliment that we pay the lady by offering to dance with her - we want to spend time in her company and perhaps get to know her better.

"Are You Lonesome Tonight"   ...   Elvis Presley

Smile, look the lady in the eye and speak clearly when you ask her to dance. If you are very worried, follow the same instructions. It is diagnostic to see how the lady treats you. Is she kind? Does she look like she is having fun? Do not misinterpret advice to look confident as meaning you should be a “show off.” Our job is to make the lady look good, not to use her to make ourselves the center of attention.

Regardless of the lady’s level of skill, she will enjoy being complimented even if her training in modesty, makes her protest. If she is a good dancer we can compliment her dancing. “I’ve admired your skill on the floor,” “It’s a pleasure to watch you,” “You follow so easily,” “You feel so light,” If we can not sincerely compliment her dancing, we can surely compliment her appearance. “That color is lovely on you,” “What a wonderful smile you have,”or her manner, “You have such an infectious laugh,” “I really enjoy your conversation.”  *  *  *  *

"Hey Good Lookin'"   ...   Hank Williams

Pub's Side Note: John White is from Arkansas, Peter Carlisle is from New Jersey and Caldwell was born in Waipahu. Can you guess which one said, "We gotta send these Flips back to the Philippines." Would you say all of them, only two, just one or none of the above? For our ongoing Poll. Hey, we are learning their methods.

Expanded Coverage Rerun #67

We are getting more contact with the Mainland and their dance clubs. Very nice, mostly through our Micros, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+, and giving us more hits on the entire enchilada. Those that would prefer their own little private clubs can still use our help but as per usual, they will have to make the decisions.

"The sign on the door of opportunity reads, PUSH."

From an Arthur Murray Studio on the Mainland.

Having a happy time, Cinco De Mayo Party

If you want a well rounded tour of dance information on Oahu, check in on Frank's blogs. He covers places we cannot cover and that just might may make your day. We are for the dancers first and foremost.

"How High The Moon" by Les Paul and Mary Ford.

Then there is Fred Astaire Studios.

We used to get some from Arthur Murray in Honolulu but they probably thought

they were giving too much away for "free." Happens all the time.

Eventually they will know what they are missing.

Did you see that blogging by Calvin in Town Dancer? Wow! Hits going through the roof. Does HBDA have at least a little appreciation? Worth much more than advertising, way more. So I am also looking for that important Two Center that may eventually become a Guest Author and we would be on our way to making this blog independent.

They may even introduce others into this blog too. No one is sure what independence is all about, but it will be for the general dancing public. The outlook is good for the West specially if we see that new club form in Kapolei Area, and they can be sure we will help if they like.

Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club Rerun #64

Just receive from the famous Aunty Maile:

Reminding You This Week And Next Week!

April 26, 2014

And for May 2nd, 2014 

First News of Cinco De Mayo. This club is really rolling along just fine. Many people from Wahiawa, naturally. Also from Mililani, Waipio, Waikele and Pearl City. A club for social dancers. Blogging Hawaii the blog now firmly in second place behind Town Dancer but Oahu West staying within striking range due to Wahiawa Ballroom Dance information Contributions. Big difference when we get one more Two Center and if we get the Guest Author, second place for sure.

Exhibition Dancers in the West, Rerun #62

Throughout the years the extremely good dancers in the West have recognized that instead of easily recognizable steps, variations with high level of technical difficulties are created in dance choreography to surprise and hopefully to please the audiences.

Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you,
following you right on up until the day you die. ~Paul Simon

 

A typical example is the use of syncopated timing in variations. Dancers must know how to dance in regular timing before they can dance in syncopated timing. So it should be all right for everyone to just wait a little while longer. Of course, folk dancing is just fine for everyone.

The Functions Of A Ballroom Latin Outfit

The female Ballroom Latin costume is always the center of attraction on the dance floor to the audiences especially when the dancer is twisting and turning with speed. Of course there is difference is spirit too.

More importantly, the reason for dancing variations is to demonstrate the skill level of the dancers. That is why in competitions and demonstrations, most amateur and professional dancers tend to dance more variations than just basic syllabus figures.

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver

This also proves that without a solid foundation and understanding of the basic techniques, it is rather difficult for beginners or hobbyists to imitate these moves although they may look easy on the surface. Take your time and enjoy the process along the way.

Yes, social media and transparency will be crucial in our new blogs. And all the blogs are reflecting what a blog can do and give us the precedent of what the other blogs can do for the readers. Somewhat different than the Social Media. And of course, each blog will eventually develop their own idiosyncrasies. Of special impact will be the Two-Centers and the Guest Authors.

 

Pub's Side Note:

The Golden Rule, according to The Present Rail Party.

"He who has the gold, makes the rules."

 

 

Just Wait! Rerun #56

All we can do now is wait and hope that those lying Polls were not believed and the truth shall set us free.

"How High The Moon"   ...   Les Paul and Mary Ford

 

Richie doing a good job in keeping the dance scene alive and interesting for us. He has a good blog in Town Dancer and another in Oahu And Beyond. Check them out and get the latest scoop. I hope all the people involved in these dancing scenes appreciate his efforts. We need more like him. Not clones just their own honest opinions. That is what makes a blog, and it becomes social media.

 

 

"My Way"   ...   Frank Sinatra

 A drummer, tired from being ridiculed by his peers, decides to learn how to play some "real" musical instruments. He goes to a music store, walks in, approaches the store clerk, and says "I'll take that red trumpet over there and that accordion."
The store clerk looks at him a bit funny, and replies "OK, you can have the fire extinguisher but the radiator's got to stay".

"Cathy's Clown"   ...   Everly Brothers

by John Prichett

And The Star Advertiser in now learning, they got on the wrong side of the rail and leaned too far. So they are losing more than that. They are consistently wrong in their polls that end up favoring their viewpoints.

Other news publications are coming to the forefront. Honolulu Weekly, Midweek, Honolulu Civic Beat and Hawaii Reporter. These new publications are giving us Da Reel Teeng, not that warmed over crap they think we deserve. Bye Bye newspaper.

A Social Study Rerun #53

By Ralph Wilson, Tampa, Florida

The Tampa Dance News.

 

Looking over the dance clubs in this part of the State we can see the similarity of how they are run. Most people are reluctant to run for office so they sometimes get people that acquiesce to anything and they become the De Jure government.

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do - start to do it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

The De Facto government remains in the clique of gossipers in the club with a basis of a "goat social structure," because there are not enough men to go around. At any rate, these groups can be deadly for the clubs and the membership. Fortunately many clubs are shaping up for the better. The failure of our leadership, the smallness of our politics, the ease with which we are distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to tackle our big problems have been all there.

   "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones

We have the opportunity today to face the challenges of this millennium together as dancers and not to quibble about who belongs to what club or does what discipline. We must learn to disagree without being disagreeable and that it is possible to compromise without compromising your principles. We should be willing to listen to each other and learn to assume the best of people instead of the worst.

"Where Did Our Love Go?"

by the Supremes

At a time when a world is dancing more, more new clubs will be coming in and many of our local clubs will be losing members. Some start off fast and then begin to get infiltrated with the cliques and taper off. In the attempt to seem democratic they defeat their own purposes and few will do anything for the club.

Everything is clear and the decision as to which part the member would like to be in, should be up to the member and we should respect it. The results should make everyone happy. There could be a maximum size which gives the greatest efficiency. The independent club at about 400 seems more like it but we don't know for sure. All volunteer officers, with only a few perks open and everything above board including any subsidies.

And with all the clubs being friends, the opportunity is there for these clubs to cooperate for any really big occasion. The location is not that important, and it does not have to be concentrated in the centers of big cities. ****