The New Year

Everyone seems to have good hopes for this year. Most are unaware of the tricks coming up with Trump and his band of crooks. Medicare is the first on their list. Make more money for the Medical companies and charge the poor.  The VA is gonna be much less for Veterans, but the rich hospitals and the rich doctors? Yeah, that's them, they did not steal it, they bought the presidency of the United States of America.

"In order that all people may be taught the truth,

it is necessary for all likewise to learn to hear it."

We don't get around much anymore but the night club scene on Oahu changes very little. It is still an entertainment venue and bar which serves alcoholic beverages that usually operates late into the night. The best night clubs are generally distinguished from regular bars, pubs or taverns by the inclusion of a stage for live music and a good sized dance floor.  Another distinction is that many ordinary bars aim at a mass market but nightclubs typically aim at a niche market of music and dancing enthusiasts and club goers. A Latin music night club is right around the corner.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

Some nightclub bouncers do not admit people with informal clothing as part of a dress code and are usually very polite about it. The busiest nights for a nightclub on Oahu are Friday and Saturday night, though weekdays can sometimes have a pretty full house on ethnic holidays. And beer drinking has been losing ground to wine and spirits. Some venues have the bring your own drinks and do very well with other income sources such as the cover charge, A Beer stand, snacks, a Juice Bar and Pop machines. The Manager and the assistant manager handle every thing else and no bartenders or waitresses.

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

And the entire island is waiting for a Tea Dance. The one that opens right about five pm on a Wednesday evening and ends at nine. A happy hour, that breaks up the week, with less drinking and of course much dancing, eating and socializing. They are very successful on the Mainland. Avoiding the 5 o'clock traffic jam going home and traveling in comfort when it is much clearer. Just to break up the middle of the week.

“Most dancers know that wine improves with age.

And I know that the older I get, the better I like it.”

End Of Year

Live music is not set in stone, like recorded music, so within a set song there may be changes of nuances according to the mood of the situation.  Most experienced social dancers are prepared to improvise and are ready to adapt and move to the music.

But even if you are prepared by listening to Latin Music and knowing the most popular songs, you will still need to adapt your dance to suit the mood of the occasion. After all, this is the beauty of live music and dancing to it, as every performance is unique and it will depend on the mood and energy of the dancers and the musicians, as well as the rapport they create with the audience.

"Here In My Heart" by Al Martino

Last but not least, relax and enjoy! Dancing is fun and this needs to come across in your performance. Smile and do not worry too much about making small errors that the audience will not even notice as long as you keep smiling and look relaxed. Also, by relaxing you will be more able to tune in to the music and let your musical intuition take over and translate into comfortable movements. That's Dancing!

"There are short cuts to happiness and dancing may be one of them."

Night Club Christmas

They say that that there is no such thing. Just a nice regular night of dancing. Well, I doubt that but no one gives us the details that we can share with our friends, relatives, neighbors and fellow dancers on this blog. The silence has been deafening. Anyway, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

LAGS: Latest And Greatest Syndrome has been a very important factor holding back the development of good social dancing on this Island, the weakness is in the collusion between the student and many beginning teachers. And it is basically good because we are constantly evolving and usually going for the better. However, if you do not have the basics down pat, you are lost in dancing deluxe movements with no finesse to go with the music.

"The First Noel"

This has existed for decades: The beginners are looking at the intermediates and want to go that route. The intermediates are looking at the advance dancers and wish to go that route. After so many years when they get to be advanced dancers (in figures) then they realize they should go back to and get the basics down a little better. Stands to Reason. How to do the Even Step, the Rock Step, and the Chasse, not in any prescribed way but moving your body according to the way you feel the music, now, that's dancing.

A pizza walks into a Pearl City bar and the bartender says,

"Sorry, we don't serve food here."

It is Christmas time.

This blog has some of the most scam, spam, robot hits in our blogosphere. In the audience section of the Blogger report, the normal is about 100 hits from the US, then 50 hits from France, then 25 hits from Germany. Now, all of a sudden there are 200 hits from Russia. He He. Somebody is trying to screw us up. I really don't know what they hope to accomplish with that crap.

"May this Christmas burn away all your sadness and bury all your tears so

that your life will be perpetually filled with happiness and joy."

Looks like this Christmas will be having a little more dancing to live music in town - but also in Kapolei, the Central Valley, the Waianae Coast and the North Shore. Oahu is getting to be the Dancing Island of Hawaii. With the biggest group of social dancers - it will be a good example for the rest of the Pacific.

"Dancers enjoy a glass of wine each night for it's health benefits. The other glasses are for their witty comebacks and their flawless dance moves."

 

Dancing Correctly

By Clarence Chung, Makapuu Point

Alex Moore’s Ballroom Dancing (the “bible” of International style written in 1916) while occasionally updated is still basically the same as 100 years ago. Licensing has been brought up on Oahu in the past and who would give the tests? Who would create the standards, decide what dances are acceptable. And what individual or group would be pompous (and foolish) enough to consider only their way right or superior? Only someone who is extremely narrow minded and lacks (or fears) creativity. Any competitor will tell you their style is a sport. Social dancing, our style, as an art is a matter of individual taste.

“Use what talents you possess, the woods will be very silent if

no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

The market place will usually rid the market of unqualified teachers. Who wants to study from teachers who are not admired or are unable to convey their knowledge? American or social style dancers try not fall into the trap that International dancers have boxed themselves into. We should all agree that we disagree. That’s what keeps American style alive, unique, creative and always fresh. The moment we succumb to uniformity, we cease to grow.

"Little Things Mean A Lot" by Kitty Kallen

Let us not bicker over which way is superior or right. For social dancers, our only criteria should be that our material is leadable and followable. And most of us are comfortable with the KISS method, "keep it simple stupid." A few of us want to show off a little, that's OK too. Dance styles constantly change to reflect changing music, social factors and life-styles. Let’s welcome all who want to dance and grow and learn from all, - And let's keep on dancing.

They asked him at the night club: "What's the difference between a dog and a fox?"

He said, "Oh about 3 drinks."

Nightclubbing?

If recent economic history suggests anything, it's that humans are poor at risk assessment. Can we hope to comprehend these risks until at least some of us have experienced them in their worst form? Quite possibly not – not least because of the intuition- defying the divide between the daily delights of social networking and its potential repercussions in the form of invasion of privacy and perhaps even more.

"In three words, dancers can sum up everything they have learned about life:

it goes on.”

On Oahu, the dancers are becoming more aware of being well informed on social dancing. And there is an abundance of information available. Of course, much of it is just too much and everyone know what that means. I try to give the reader/dancers a spoonful at a time and not drown them in bowls. It will help if we have more information contributors to share with our friends, relatives, neighbors and just good fellow dancers.

"The Thrill Is Gone" by Willie K.

Dancing in Night Clubs goes from way back and what has distinguished them from a bar or lounge is a "dance floor." And most social dancers are very aware that many places have "postage stamp" sized dance floors. It is much better to go to place where you can "dance." On Oahu. we are definitely getting there. Now we have to recommend the best places for the reader/dancers. Just let us know and we will share. Mahalo.

"Red wine seems to be the one catching on. Even I, a beginner, am beginning to like it and I have been looking at the world through "Rum" colored glasses all my life." 

Things Change

At one time Dancing Nights was headed for the top three. Then most of us know what happened, little night club dancing news from anyone. Now at the bottom of the pile in hits. Of course, I must tell everyone that over 60% of the hits on Extrava Danza and Ritmo Mestizo are scam, spam robot hits. They are not doing that much for us. All of you will learn to read the hit counters.

"In truth, the real opportunities for building good buzz through blogging have

only just begun. We simply have to look and see where things have

been and be able to see where things are going to be."

So just a couple of dancers that are willing to share a few items with our reader/dancers will enable Dancing Nights to get back in and and be noticed on Oahu. The only thing we insist on, is that no one should have a "commitment" to the blogs. You may have a commitment with your readers, but that is between you and them. None of you have to do anything, with the blogs. We offer a platform and you can use it whenever you like. Easy? It will take time and most dancers on Oahu will learn what to do. We should avoid pressure on anyone.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

On Oahu a nightclub is an entertainment venue that usually operates late into the night. A nightclub is generally distinguished from bars, pubs or taverns by the inclusion of a "dance floor" and a DJ booth, where a DJ plays recorded music. The busiest nights for nightclubs on Oahu are Friday and Saturday nights.  The music in nightclubs is either live bands, which is preferred by some, or more commonly, a mix of songs played by a DJ through a powerful PA system. Most clubs or club nights cater to certain music genres so that a Latin Music and Dance venue will emerge on Oahu shortly.

"Beautiful Kauai" by Don Ho

Dancing has always been a social and fun way to bring people together as well as create beautiful displays of movement to music. Today, on Oahu, we continue the dance craze, even if it may no longer be called ballroom. More then ever, we bring it to new levels like history has never seen before. Fads may creep into nightclubbing a little, but not in our steady kine social dancing.

Who was that dancer who said,

 "Wine improves with age and the older I get, the better I like it.”

 

 

Live Music Update

We are gradually getting a good glimpse of the dancescape on Oahu and we can see a lot of good people enjoying the moving to their favorite musical arrangement and most of it to Live music. This island is just loaded down with dancers of all kinds. Take a good look, you all know it and lucky for us, that few will inform us that we are dancing "incorrectly."

"Never let it be said, that to dream is a waste of time. Dreams are our realities

in waiting, and in dreams we plant the seeds of the future."

Fortunately we are stuck with what we enjoy and do best. The social dance based on the American style of dance with all the variations pertaining to the island of Oahu. Lucky too that we have some of the best teachers of American dance in the Pacific right here on Oahu. I look forward to the acceptance of the alternative basic in the Rumba. There appears to be enough changes in our social dancing that we will realize the fact that a  "Hawaiian Style of Social Dance" will eventually emerge.

"Stranger In Paradise" by Tony Bennett

For our dance blogs our needs are still very basic.  The most important at this time are Information Contributors that are willing to share there knowledge of the dancing scene with their fellow dancers. And we will make connections to Dance Groups, Community Centers, District Parks, Night Clubs and anything else that has to do with our kind of dancing. Readers? With the right info, we will phase over into the new methods and the hits will go into the stratosphere.

"In our world, please feel free to dance anyway you want to dance."

Daytime Dancing?

In the United States and Canada, the American Style of ballroom dance exists. The dance technique used for both International and American styles is similar, but International Ballroom allows only closed dance positions, and was completely and uniquely constructed by the British in England. Whereas American Smooth allows closed, open and separated dance movements which allow the melding into the Social Dance style. In addition, different sets of dance figures are usually taught for the two styles. International Latin and American Rhythm have different styling, and have different dance figures in their respective syllabi.

"Dancers know that sometimes we cannot start the next chapter in our lives,

if we keep on re-reading the last one."

In the modern era we have danced only in the evening because we were all working and it was mostly the daytime shift. But in this century, specially on Oahu, we are discovering a different kind of dancer, one that can and does dance in the daytime. And who are these people? Most of the fans are the retired but they are reinforced by many that can take the time off to enjoy a little moving to their favorite music. It is Social, so we sure need a place in West Oahu for this kind of dancing. We can eliminate the kids, no hu hu.

With new dances or folk dances being added to or removed from the social ballroom repertoire from time to time, we have no list of subcategories or dances that are any more than a description of current practices. There are other dances historically accepted as ballroom dances but Social Dancers seem to prefer no more that one half dozen different dances to enjoy in any dance session, day or night.

At a current night club: This young guy told the girl that those were

fantastic moves she had been making in the dance. She replied,

"Who's dancing? Where's the restroom?"

Live Music Fans

On any given Saturday night, only one half of the dancers attending the night club function are real "Live Music Fans." The rest are there only because it is their night out and what the hell, this is as good as any. Perhaps we are wrong and somebody out there has a different opinion. Use the comments in the blog or email to us and we will post it.

"In our Dance World, malicious gossip may be carried by haters,

spread by fools and accepted by idiots." 

The regulars acknowledge the band. At the beginning of the performance, they nod to them, look at them and acknowledge them during the performance by turning towards them and looking at them every now and again, and finally bow to them and encourage the audience to clap for them at the end of a performance. This is a social world and they may communicate non verbally with the band. They may agree to a communication code beforehand, to communicate if they would like the music to speed up or slow down.

"At Last" by Glenn Miller, Ray Eberly on vocals.

They listen to the music and try to enjoy it. As they dance, they try to take in as much of the music as they can. This does not mean hitting every accent (dancing like this would seem too mechanical) but pay attention to the music. They do not forget to smile and relax, - an intense look of concentration on a dancer’s face does not look good! - So enjoy yourself, everyone around you is having fun too.

"As dancers, we dance for ourselves and if someone understands, that is good. If not then no matter, we shall continue to do what we love to do." 

Men Dancing On Oahu

By Penelope Cruz, Aiea

It has been found that young women rated young male dancers higher when they performed large, variable movements of their head, neck, and torso. Male dancers were also considered "good" dancers if they displayed fast bending and twisting of the right knee. They have used motion-capture technology to record different males dancing in different ways. To avoid bias, when the females were asked to identify which dancers showed strong dancing ability, they only saw plain grey avatars.

"Most dancers know that honesty is an expensive gift.

So don't expect it from cheap people."

In humans, dance is a set of intentional, rhythmic, culturally influenced, non-verbal body movements that have been considered to be an important aspect of sexuality and courtship attraction. Dancing ability, particularly that of men, may serve as a signal of male mate quality in terms of physical strength, prenatal androgenization and symmetry, and thus affect women's perceptions of men's attractiveness.

"Little Things Mean A Lot" by Kitty Kallen

Case in point: Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing." Of course, there's absolutely no guarantee that a guy swinging his head around and twisting his right knee will make him more attractive, but the rhythmic use of these types of moves could help a young guy with two left feet seem much more skilled. So guys, if you plan on cutting up a rug this weekend, consider adding a few of these moves into your repertoire.

And the best place to learn and develop these moves is in line dancing. You don't have to worry about a partner and you can develop your moves according to the way you feel the music. And we all know they need more men in Line dancing. So git wid it. And by the way, what is the difference in the over forty, more experienced dancers that are dancing in a different way?

"Social Dancers know that we do not have to dance better than anyone else.

We just try to dance a little better today than we did yesterday." 

So Many

There are so many fans of live music on Oahu, that I have been very surprised that we don't hear much from them.This is supposed to be Social Media. But of course, I realize that not many on this Island know what that means. That is OK, none of us know everything but we can sure learn.

"The most destructive force in our dance world is gossip and those

who spread it. Most dancers try not to get involved in it"

A Blog site is not a Web site. They are two separate kinds of communication. Our dance blogs are much more current and the readership increases with the increased amount of input into the blog from others beside the blog originator. We do not know much about the Live Music dance scene. But there are an awful lot of people out there who do. Email it to us and we will post and share with our reader/dancers. A photo or two, wow, think of the appreciation from so many people.

"Stranger In Paradise" by Tony Bennett

An advantage of dancing to live music is that there much less incentive to "show off." No hu hu, a natural function of many dancers. But to live music the dancers tend to react more to the music with basic movements and less worry about whether they are dancing "correctly." And moving to one's favorite song is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Drunk or Sober. This is Social Dancing.

From the Rubiayat by Omar Khayyam, one thousand years ago.
"Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears, To-day of past Regrets and
future Fears - To-morrow? - Why, To-morrow I may be Myself
with Yesterday's Seven Thousand Years." 

Alert All Readers

We just got a whole slew of scam spam robot hits from all over the world. In Platinum Horseshoe they are coming mainy from Poland and Bosnia. I am still not sure what they are getting from us, but I think they have made a mistake if they think I am going to look them up. So Platinum Horseshoe is now averaging over 133 average hits per day. That is 4000 hits per month. So don't be fooled with the stats on our blogs.

Now we know for sure, "Politics is too serious a matter to be left to Politicians."

Dear Lord:
So far today, I am doing alright. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self-indulgent. I have not whined, complained, cursed, or eaten any chocolate and I have charged nothing on my Credit Card.
But I will be getting out of bed in a minute and I think I will really need your help then.

"I Believe" by Frankie Laine

I keep receiving news about possibles in Night Club dancing in Waianae and Ewa Beach. But not enough so that I can go and see for myself. Plenty of news on the building in progress in the Kapolei shopping area but nothing on the developing of a social night life and most places roll up the streets by nine. But it has always been that way in the West. And the West will come into its own but perhaps not in my time. The Present Rail Party is doing every thing it can to slow down Second City. Million and Millions of dollars in profits in the Gravy Train.

A neutron walks into a Pearl City bar and orders a drink. When the neutron gets

his drink, he asks, "Bartender, how much do I owe you?" The bartender replies,

"For you, neutron, no charge."

Going Out?

Whether by yourself or with someone. When it comes to preparing your stomach for a little imbibing in the evening, carbs are your best friend. And when it comes to carbs, there is no dish that goes down easier than a simple plate of pasta. If you’re prone to acid reflux or heart burn, avoid too much tomato sauces in favor of one that is cream-based. A classic carbonara is a great option as the egg and cheese fortify along with the noodles.

Dancers know that, "When people cut you down or talk behind your back,
they took time out of their pathetic lives to think about you."

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Of course, we also have heard advice on eating "while" you drink and dance. That requires some small pupus that can be eaten with chopsticks,.  Would be dandy. Gradually we are going to incorporate dining, dancing and nightclubbing into one big social environment. We just gotta avoid the Rail Catastrophe as much as we can. Though we cannot avoid the cost of the Rail Mess and that means all the islands have to pay too.

"Wine can be a passion. it's family and friends. It's warmth of heart

and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It is culture. It is the essence

of civilization and the heart of living."

Listener - Dancer

Live music fans can also be divided into three different groups.

The Listeners at about 30%, in which at a young age they learned to listen only. They may move around at a very young age but soon lose that nonsense. By the time of their teens they become very heavily involved in listening to music on their portable "whatever",  and are always looking forward to the Latest hits. Then they phase over into the going to concerts, which have done very well in the past half century.

"Most dancers seem to know, that those people are not happy

with their lives if they are busy discussing ours."

Then we have the people that are both listeners and dancers at about 50%, They were just listeners but at some point in their lives realized that they enjoyed moving to music. And many did not go into dancing until their forties. They remain the most solid group for the music and dance business and they seem to enjoy dancing any dance and any way that makes them happy. They are Social Dancers.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Then we have the dancers that are only interested in the dance movement at about 20%. Many are extremely well versed in the music and dance, but the music is minor to them, the importance is the movement and the looks of the movement. These three groups can phase easily into one or another and we can accept them all and not look down on anyone.

From a long time wine drinker:
"Taste to me is a wavelength. It is like listening to Gustave Mahler or

Burt Baccarach, it is all good but there is a spectrum of intensity.

The Best NIght Club

Well we finally have the best night club on the Island of Oahu. And they give the dancers all they can give. Of course, they do have a strict dress code and it makes for a nice looking dance group wherever it is done.

(MEN) Collared shirts, long dress pants, dress shoes.
(WOMEN) Fashionable attire, heels.

Sorry, no baseball hats, tank tops, shorts, logo tees, slippers, baggy clothing, athletic wear, athletic sneakers or skate shoes will be allowed into the venue. All the clubs thank the dancers for their understanding and "we" hope the clubs will be more forthcoming with dance news to share with our readers.

"The essence of philosophy is that a person should so live that their happiness
shall depend as little as possible on external things."

Many dancers are moving more into the night club circuit, if only because so few rules on how we dance. If you talk to enough people at any club you're bound to run into some who share the same reasons as you. There are several positive benefits - socializing, letting loose, blowing off steam, listening and dancing to music you enjoy, and potentially finding temporary and perhaps permanent hookups. Of course, none of the clubs tell us anything.

The good thing about music in night clubs is that many are understanding the value of the "Oldies But Goodies. The classics that have sounded good from many years back. That have some connection to our own private lives, that can remind us of joy/or sadness. It is a emotional kick only recently being understood. Easier to find in Live Music. The DJs are very up to date with the latest hits. There are so many opinions on music, we would be interested in what you have to say. Dis da place.

"Life may be like a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends

- on us."

Live

We are getting closer to this special group that can say "We are for Live Music." It is different from ordinary social dancing to DJ music but we should not be looking down on anybody. At a Live Music Affair we sometimes may have the time and the opportunity before the music starts to introduce ourselves to the band. This will also be the opportunity for them to ask if we have any requests for a particular song. This is Social Dancing, da reel teeng.

"Gossip is like a bubble, it floats around for awhile and then it pops,

it is a lie and the truth is known."

Request a song if you wish. If you request at least one song, it will show the musicians that you are knowledgeable and you appreciate their music. However, do not go over the top by requesting too much as some musicians can be annoyed by this. Stands to reason and most of us understand this. They are there to please everyone, not just you and they are doing terrific on Oahu.

 "Music, Music, Music" by Theresa Brewer

Most of us have become familiar with the music. We know what we like and are familiar with the most popular songs. Of course, live music does not necessarily sound exactly like the versions recorded on CDs and some improvisational skills are always needed. But throughout the years we have learned what we like and we do like some more than others. It is all personal and it is not all the same.

"Dancers know that the best wines in the world are

the ones we drink with friends."