Steady As She Goes

The dance scene in the Moanalua Corridor has been going through some drastic changes in the last two decades and even more now because of the Rail Catastrophe. But it will recover and develop into something good for the social dancers.

"If we have the time to whine and complain about something,

then we have time to do something about it."

In the 70's the introduction to International (English) Style began in earnest with a strong influence on dancing in all the islands. It began with the idea that this was their method and their style. And somehow it changed, and with it, the understanding that the old methods were obsolete and that the International Style was the "correct" way to dance, period.

"There Are Such Things" by Tommy Dorsey

By default any other way was "incorrect." There were no other qualifications and there developed a mind set in which the "high class" dancers could accept the "lower class" menials in a rather condescending manner but they could be polite.

This effect began the slowing down of ballroom dancing on this island. And in the Ala Wai Clubhouse, there developed a group which was later named the Creative Researchers And Producers interlocked between the two leading dance clubs using the facility. And compounded by some of the regulars at Rumours on Sundays.

"I'll Remember You" by Don Ho

In the nineties. with the introduction of the "Palladium" the Creative Researchers And Producers took control and the term "Junk Dancer" evolved and slowly began to permeate throughout the region. It became discomforting for those that considered themselves social dancers and enjoyed moving to music. At the end of the century some clubs had half of the membership that they had had at their peak and there were more clubs striving to treat their members better.

With this new century the differences are being accepted more willingly and with more than a little pride by the "lower" classes. The Palladium has been accepted as a good size for the Rootzi Tootzis, the deluxe dancers. However the social dancers can do very well in smaller "dance halls" in the West with less than half the square footage of the "big time." And night clubs with bigger dance floors are coming.

"I Believe" by Frankie Laine

The Rail Catastrophe. has found it necessary to cancel the propose Dance Pavilion in Waipio to pay for the Rail Mistake. So we will be forced to find many smaller places to dance in West Oahu where many people are dancing for the sheer joy of moving to music and it does not have to be show business.