Wahiawa

Yes, they can have Dancing Nights in Wahiawa too. It was a terrific blast on Saturday Night. I got there and back home by Handi Van. Good people all over.

From the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam, written one thousand years ago.

"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ Moves on: nor or your Piety or Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

The Early Birds for the Halloween Dance

 Complete blog write up in the Platinum Horseshoe. 

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

  

And Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club is giving out early notice on

Their Christmas Dance Party in the Central Valley.

And there is no truth to the Rumor of six cases of free champagne.

"Stramger In Paradise" by Tony Bennett

 

The Rail Disaster

Excerpted from David Shapiro columns. You can reach David Shapiro

at volcanicash@gmail.com - Getting rail to Middle Street

would be best use of funds. May 22, 2016

The debate over whether to complete Oahu rail to Ala Moana Center or stop at Middle Street needn’t be either/or. The most rational course is to devote all existing funds to getting the train to Middle Street as soon as possible, using express buses to carry commuters to their final destinations. Then, if public support and more funding materialize, a second phase of eastward construction can begin.

The reality is the city doesn’t have enough money to complete the full line; the half-percent rail excise tax and $1.5 billion federal share will raise $6.8 billion at most, while the Federal Transit Administration now projects it’ll cost up to $8.1billion to reach Ala Moana.

 We coulda got 1000 of these babies for less than one billion dollars.
The Rail Catastrophe may go to ten billion dollars. The profits
are in the millions and millions of dollars.

The FTA also projects it’ll take two years longer than the city estimates, until 2024, to begin service to Ala Moana and says it’ll be flexible if the city changes course. What better way for the city to regain trust than show it can competently build and operate a useful segment to Middle Street? Holding out for Ala Moana or bust means another year or more of floundering while waiting to see if the extremely reluctant Legislature and City Council provide more funding.

 Beautiful Business Park in Kapolei, voted down by the Present Rail Party.

And "I coulda been home in 20 minutes."

Better to focus existing funds on getting to Middle Street and treat additional funding for building further as a separate issue that doesn’t distract from starting service to Middle Street in this decade. This means committing no further rail funds beyond Middle Street until uncertainties are sorted out. If existing money is spread out to include city center construction and new funding fails, we likely won’t even finish to Middle Street and will have nothing to show for nearly $7 billion spent.

The public is weary of such drama as rail costs have grown in a little over a year from $5.2 billion and promises of “on time and on budget” to nearly $3 billion over budget and five years behind the original schedule. Facing reality and focusing on Middle Street for now would allow the city to map rail’s future without the pressure of immediately dealing with major utility relocations, business disruptions and other thorny challenges of building in the city center.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Brudah Iz 

Pub's Note: What about Caldwell's plan to divert funds from The Bus and from the Handi Vans to the Rail Disaster. MIllions and millions of dollars in profits.

The Numbers

I have been looking over the stats on dancing on Oahu. There are very few and very mixed up. I made my own conclusions right or wrong. There seems to be more than 30 thousand dancers on this Island. This includes, Country, Line, American Style social, International competition and not counting the peripherals like Swing, Tango and Salsa. Some hint at 40 thousand. I am not sure of anything.

"What is told in the ear of a dancer in confidence, is often heard on a neighbor island."

But the ratios seem the same all over the world and I have guessed at most of ours, divided in the ordinary six classifications.

"The Music of Hawaii" by Melveen Leed

The Lower Lowers: the extreme beginners. "That's my left foot?" at about 10 percent of the total or about 3000 possible dancers that could eventually be moving to music and having fun.

The Upper Lowers: Some of these have been street dancers and just now putting it together from dance instruction at Dance Studios or at a social dance clubs. There is dance instruction in many other places too. They are at about 15% or close to 4500 dancers that are already doing a little dancing.

The middles, the Lower and Upper middles together, are about half the dance population or about 15000 dancers on this island. That is quite a large group of people that are already into good dancing on the island of Oahu. From what I read, this is happening on the Neighbor Islands too. Look at how many social dance clubs we have here and look at how many dance night clubs we have. And we are due for more, the Waianae Coast and the North Shore are wide open.

"Shores Of Haleiwa" by Loyal Garner

The Lower Uppers: These are the dancers that are really into it and have some experience. Some will go into exhibition dancing simply because they look good and they know enough tricks to move in a fancy manner. Many people including non-dancers love to see them and they are appreciated everywhere. Some will even dab into the competition game. At 15% they come to about 4500 dancers. We have a wealth of good dance instruction available.

The Upper Uppers: These are the elite of our dance world and many could become professional dancers in any realm they choose. At ten percent many would say it is too high. I personally think it too low. I have seen many and I feel that these people can be good among the best in the world - about 3000 deluxe dancers.

So where are you? Pick or not, you will be the ultimate judge.

Weekly2 - (Weakly?)

Last week we only heard the Rumors. Dot's in Wahiawa with a live band, Just Tacos in Mililani with a live band and Cholo's on the North Shore with a live band. I wish we could tell you more but the news has not been forthcoming. It goes to other venues but it will get better as we go along. Patience.

“Dancers can mull over the implications of gossip and decide not to waste

their time worrying about what everyone else thought, or to bother

attempting to change their perceptions."

Before the rise of the small night clubs and DJ-based dancefloors with recorded music, live bands were the only means of serving the dance floors on Oahu. Along with that, slow-dancing was the primary method of dancing at the time, Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba although some swing was being played and danced. Actually no space constraints for the band's instruments.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Live bands have quickly been displaced by DJ-based dance floors as the DJ stands took up less space than bandstands and they played recorded and more up to date music. Live band dances were and are still used on occasion at ballrooms. Along with that, many small spots have live punk rock bands, so the young people are able to hear the hardcore sound associated with their kind of music.

"Livin Without You" by Nohelani Cypriano

Some formal dances such as proms use live bands as a means of serving class to the dance floor. Also, some people choose live bands because they believe there are virtually no space constraints for the band's instruments. Dance parties with high-end formality have also preferred live bands also as a means of serving a different class (the oldies but goodies) to the dance floor. Any way in this century we can consider live music as here to stay.

We don't have any news about the coming week end, except for Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club, Halloween Dance on Saturday. Perhaps someone will send something in - Two Centers, where are you?

Why?

Dancers go to nightclubs for a variety of reasons. To dance, of course, to enjoy moving to their favorite music, and it is alright if you skip all the latest moves. To hang out with friends and fellow dancers who you see mainly at social occasions. The music and the crowd make the evening.

 “The best defense against logic is stupidity.”

It is always pleasant to meet new people and in some cases you can hook up with somebody really wonderful. You may get happy with a few drinks and have fun learning new basic moves and skipping all that fancy stuff. You may even get news of some studio teaching just what you want to learn. Social dancers avoid LAGS.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

There has to be a Latin Style group evolving shortly, which will include Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Mambo, Swing, Tango and Waltz, the solid Latin dances that have been danced throughout the decades. That is the rough beginning agenda, the melding will continue and they will evolve their own preferences. It will probably be a night club in West Oahu.

“Wine may be the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.”

Evolving

This last week was pretty slow as far as acquiring enough dance information to make a good blog. Now that I am getting out more I may get more information to share with our reader/dancers. We did received some news that things were jumping at Dot's in Wahiawa and at Just Tacos in Miliani. Email us the information (and photos?) and we may be able to make a nice blog out of it.

"Dancers are finding that there is less in West Oahu of the joy-stealers - gossip, criticism, complaining, faultfinding, and a negative, judgmental attitude."

In the Central Valley we have some good street dances and folk dances that have been developing for decades. These are distinguished by when the terms were introduced for,"'street dance" as a compound noun, and has been believed to have existed since beginning of the early 20th century. Where as vernacular dance was becoming popular in the western world, it has never been taken seriously into consideration on Oahu.

"Sweet Someone" by Don Ho

We have been developing social dancing that has evolved from dancing to live music. In the course of music and dance we have developed two different fans of live music, listeners and the dancers. Many are interchangeable. We have to include both categories in this blog. So if you are just interested in listening to one of your favorites it is quite alright.

"Social dancers do not try to be better than anyone else,

they only try to be better than themselves."

Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club

From Aunty Maile:

The Central Valley on Oahu is going to be jumping on this night. West Oahu is doing better every day. Only thing bad is no place to work nearby. The Fat Cats of the Present Rail Party in Honolulu want you to do everything in town. So that is what is holding Kapolei from being Second City.

"Till I Waltz Again With You" by Theresa Brewer

About every 22,000 years a cycle ends. We have entered a new cycle and we look forward to never having a World War ever again. As healthy beings in a healthy natural world we should be balanced by all rhythms, with which we have developed for millions of years. Unfortunately, modern life with prolonged nights and pollution of air, water, earth and the body has become unhealthful so that many may suffer. We should remember that it is human-made, we are learning through suffering, yet, we can also learn through joy!

Ron Montez Workshop

Special WORKSHOP with Mr. Ron Montez

American Rumba & West Coast Swing

This Coming Sunday October 16th at 3pm

You might have seen Ron Montez on TV or in famous instructional dance videos. Come to learn from the Legend. Ron Montez is one of the most respected personalities in the dance business. He previously held the title as the 7-time undefeated United States Professional Latin Champion. He achieved 4th place in the World’s Professional Latin Championships held at Royal Albert Hall in London. He has reached the final of the prestigious British Championships in Blackpool, England. Ron is the recipient of the 2009 United States Dance Championships Hall of Fame Award. He is recognized as a World Class adjudicator, dance coach and choreographer in both American and International styles.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Ron is the organizer of the Chicago Crystal Ball and the Aloha Ball, held in Kona Hawaii. Ron was the co-host and expert commentator for the PBS television show “Championship Ballroom Dancing”, which was hosted by Rita Moreno, Juliet Prowse, Barbara Eden, Sandy Duncan and Jasmine Guy. Ron is a national examiner for DIVDA (Dance Vision International Dance Association). In this capacity he examines both amateur and professional dancers who wish to obtain certification. His instructional tapes plus DVD’s, including bronze, silver and gold levels, are available through DanceVision.

Fee: $20 per person with advance registration - $25 at door
register at yannajs@gmail.com

Divino Ritmo Dance /ALOHA DANCESPORT CENTER
350 Ward Ave #200
Honolulu,HI,96814
www.alohadancesportcenter.com

"Dancers know that if you dance with your heart, your feet will follow." 

First Weekly

This blog is not considered terminally ill. But going on a weekly basis, it will be on the back burner for a while until we get some Two Centers helping us out. The agenda remains fairly simple. Recap the last weekend and look forward to good things for the following week end. Comments at the end of each and every blog remain easy to do. Suggestions can be emailed very easily. We will have some good starters for all of our fellow dancers interested in Live Music.

"No matter how people think of themselves accomplished, when they set out to

learn a new language, science, or the bicycle, they have entered a new

realm as truly as if they were a child newly born into the world."

This entire blog thing has been an experiment for both the social dancers and the dance information contributors on this Island. Is there a difference in a Web site and Blog site?
We run an information group of blog service for ADULTS. Normally, we could have in our blogs, private parties, wedding receptions, class and family reunions, and even military parties. This is our social dance world.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

Just about anything that is moving to music is fine and most of our blogging is pretty current. We have found that most of our audience consists of experienced dancers that  have been very interested in music and dancing of 1960's - 1980's  The Oldies but Goodies music that is well done by the live bands on Oahu.. Seems like finding comfortable venues for touch dancing and oldies music are kinda tough to find.

"Begin The Beguine" by Artie Shaw

That's why we are only going on weekly basis until our reader/dancers catch up. If we get a critical mass - a regular Two Center and at least one Guest Author, maybe we can get back to regular blogging along with the other blogs. With averages per day over 67 (2000 per month) they can go independent from me. I cannot continue to handle so many blogs. My starting travel route is on the #53 bus from where I live in Pearl City all the way to Ala Moana Center.  It is easy for me and I don't have to bother the Handi Van, who are just terrific people.

"Dancers know that we cannot stop rumors from spreading and we cannot really stop people from believing them. All we can do is sit back and smile at these low life people who have nothing better to do than to talk stink about us."

Progress

We do have many of the younger beginners that have danced ballet, modern, and tap and happened to stumble upon ballroom dancing. They begin to suspect that there are benefits in dancing in Night Clubs.  However, they also begin to realize that it is for a more experienced older generation, a solid Night Club crowd. But the younger group has a different agenda for dancing. And they love anything new, and they seek being up to date, they will take it easy and assimilate. Most of us agree that they should do as they please. No Hu Hu.

"From all the drama, backstabbing and tattling, sometimes I cannot figure out if I am in elementary school or middle school,  Oh wait, I am in social dancing."

The longevity of a ballroom dancer's career is much longer than that of a ballerina or modern dancer and age does not really have much to do with our dancing. Certainly not because the steps are slower and we can face it that the classics over a couple hundred years are the ballads in any language. "How much is that dogie in the window" Number one in "The Hit Parade" in  the US 60 years ago. Very few remember that song.

That is much different than a "classic social song." They are not going to play "Tennessee Waltz" this week and we don't mind. But when they do, we will flock to the floor and dance it to our hearts content. The people in Hawaii are becoming more aware of this fact but it is taking time. We just want to enjoy the night without hurting anyone else, we can hope, that they may permit us.

This is it.

I finally got to the point I was looking for. Which one? And this blog has been unanimously selected, the hits have been going to the other blogs. But like I have said time and again, the reader/dancers will make most of the final decisions. I don't want to delete it yet so it will just go on a weekly basis and we can all be patient. Since I have my own personal blog Dancing in the Dark on Sunday, I will try to get this Midweek. How about every Wednesday?

"Your age does not define your maturity - your speech does not define your intellect - and rumors don't define who you are."

Meanwhile the big big concerts seem to getting less popular. But in Hawaii many singles,  small groups and live bands are very well accepted. And fortunately for the dancers many have good sized dance floors. And most of the bands are very good at reminiscing with the "oldies but goodies."  Which of course, are mostly appreciated by the over 30.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

We do have an over abundance of live music in downtown Honolulu and parking is due to get worse when the rail disaster is done. The outskirts are way overdue. The North Shore, the Waianae Coast, Kapolei, second city and something will happen in the vicinity of Kailua. Because of the Rail Tragedy, the highest prices for homes on this Island are now in Kailua.

"Good friends, good dancing, good wine = good times."

 

Cupola

Received from Yanna, but not in JPEG. Cannot be copied unless you have a special program. Had to copy in pieces.
 

SOCIAL DANCE AT CUPOLA

This Thursday October 6th 6:30-9:30
Social Dance at Cupola Sponsored by DRD at

Inspiration Design Center Kapiolani Blv. Honolulu
Every first Thursday of the month , Open to the public,

NO admission, free parking after validation
food and drinks for purchase from Wine bar and Stage restaurant.
all ballroom tunes by DJ Lucas, Mr. Augie Ray is busy traveling

out of state but will be back with his live entertainment next month.

Divino Ritmo Dance
350 Ward Ave #200
Honolulu,HI,96814
www.alohadancesportcenter.com

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

In town the evidence is becoming clearer simply because there is more of it. What is? The melding of dance movements in the peripheral groups with the social - cultural groups and it is a two way street.  American Tango can be influenced by the Argentine Tango and the Filipino Tango by the American. And it may only be a flick of the wrist, but it is still American Tango and danced by American style dancers with each other very easily.

A penguin walks into a Pearl City bar, goes to the counter, and asks

 the bartender, “Have you seen my brother? The bartender says,

 “I don’t know. What does he look like?” 

Live or Recorded

Franklin Cheung, Pupukea
There are a million ways to experience music, but for the purpose of this blog let's just break it down to two categories: live and recorded. I don't know about the rest, but if I get to hear live music more than twice a month, I am lucky. Sure, I can look back and remember some great concerts in my life but I like the intimate atmosphere of a night club regularly and I can dance.

"A rumor can go around the Palladium floor twice before the

truth has a chance to get up the stairs."

Sitting about as far as you can get at the Blaisdell, the sound can still be awesome, There gave been times when I've never heard anything close to that sound reproduced by even the very best high-end audio systems. The orchestras certainly didn't need amplification; they were definitely loud enough.

"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Benny Goodman

Better yet, the sound never hurt my ears. But the orchestras have been far more viscerally dynamic than any rock band, and the sound of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion filling the acoustic space of the Center has been a thrill I won't soon forget.

"Little Things Mean A Lot" by Kitty Kallen

That is, you don't so much hear the sound of each instrument, you hear all of them filling the Center. The sound of the entire orchestra floats, like a cloud, above the listeners. The sound has been beyond what I've ever experienced. But recorded music I can have with me for total recall anytime I want it.

"A Screwdriver walks into a Pearl City Bar. The Bartender says,

"Hey, we have a drink named after you." The Screwdriver

responds,  "You have a drink named Murray?"

Exhibition Dancers?

Yeah we get them in the Night Clubs and many of them are really good. Exhibition Dancers are made, not born. Many learn from the small social dance clubs on Oahu. Then if they belong to the right club they may be asked to perform. Formation dances are the best place to begin because they will not be alone. It is a fun experience to dance with the idea of being seen. But they have practiced long and diligently for that very occasion.

"Some think that you should not inquire as to why or whither,
but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."

All these people make this blog just about ready for a steady Guest Author. The only catch is that you must want to, I am not here to sell anything. I provide the platform and you may use it only when and if you wish. I merely notify Blogger and an invitation is sent from Blogger and if you accept you choose a password to get in. That is all between you and Blogger.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

"Beautiful Night Club - In Pearl City? Naw

In effect then you will have your own blog within the blog. You can open the blog, write, post photos, publish, close it and all without saying boo to anyone. And the best part of it is the synergism gets in and hits get compounded by more Guest Authors. Furthermore, if a blog can get 2 or 3 Guest Authors, they will, for sure, get over 100 average hits per day. (3000 per month.) Then I could plan on phasing myself out and let them take the blog over. - Independence.

Have a nice week end everyone. And those going on the trip, have yourselves a nice time.