American Style

American Style dance in the West Side.
by Stanley Yim, Waimalu

In the neighbor islands there are many times when they have dancing specified as Salsa or Tango. They are trying to avoid something. On Oahu, I still meet many people in the Salsa dances that I also see at the Tango dances. But never see them on what we consider "our" dance floors. Never knew why until I asked. "We're social dancers and don't want to dance that fancy kine dance."

"Pride is the greatest enemy of your happiness.
Get out of your own way."

They do not want to be associated with the type of dancing represented by the International styling. Of course few have realized this and taken the trouble to explain that not all the Ballroom dancing is danced that way. Or to explain to them that not everyone dances that style. The real dance for fun is still danced without shame, although mainly in the Western part of Oahu besides the night clubs in town.

"Singing In The Rain" by Gene Kelly

So they do not hear the advice of dancing "correctly," as much as in the center of town. So, the results have been that the vicious gossip cliques, the bad public relations job of manhandling the dancers by the clubs but also the ascendency of the International style and its superior attitude that had led to the slow decline of ballroom dancing on the Island of Oahu. This started right about the opening of the famous Palladium and we first heard the descriptive, "Junk Dancer."

In West Oahu we have the salvation. There are so many good American Style teachers and dancers that are interested in dancing for fun and not to enter into competition with anyone. Many have experience of teaching for two or three decades. It is so evident in the increase and interest in dancers Moanalua Corridor in spite of the Rail Catastrophe.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

There will be more places where we can dance. We just need places much smaller than the famous Palladium. The Palladium will be for the deluxe International Style dancers and they will dance it there "correctly." We don't have to talk stink about them. They should have the right to fun in the dance world in exhibition and competitions dancing "their way." No hu hu, we all should understand that.

Stan Yim

Blogger's Law No. 41B: In every dance organization there is one person who really knows what is going on. Get rid of that person.