The Mixologist

Just heard of it again lately since I have not been a regular attendant at night clubs for over ten years. Are there substantive differences between bartenders and mixologists? With cocktail culture firmly in the limelight, the word “mixologist” has being bandied about so loosely that distinctions between the two have become obscured.  When the term “mixologist” first was applied to bartenders, it was an honorific used to distinguish bartenders who excelled at creating interesting cocktails.

"In the old days of dance lessons, 5, 6, 7, 8 were not just numbers."

They had acquired a commanding knowledge of spirits and flavor pairings. In short, those who showed up and poured Vodka Tonics were bartenders, and those who took a more culinary approach to making drinks were mixologists. On Oahu, most of the good bartenders described in conversation as master mixologists may be appreciative of the professional recognition, but they place equal value on being tagged as accomplished bartenders.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

The return of the cocktail on Oahu has been a social phenomenon, and bartenders on the job since the early ’90s have seen it. They witnessed the rise of craft beers, single malts, small-batch bourbons, super-premium vodkas, 100% agave tequilas and more. The prevailing circumstances forced bartenders to elevate their game — to learn more about the products they were pouring and to develop cocktails that showcased their enhanced quality.

"Ala Moana Annie" by Amy Hanaialii

Whatever, if you attend night clubs regularly try to know your bartender, it lends to the happy social atmosphere. He or she may even advise you on your choice of the new partner you just met. Right or wrong, it would be a professional opinion. Your object is to have a fun evening and fortunately there many nice ways in the Oahu night club scene.

"Social dancers have discovered that dance and music

is how we make sense of life in this world."

New Look at Live Music

Live music on Oahu has a lot of fans but they have not had much Public Relations on these islands. Advertising has always been there but that is not our Blogging and not many, even today, know what you can do with Blogging. There are three different levels or divisions to Blogging but unfortunately you need a computer. And I hope all of you know about "Social Media"

"Live Music may wash away from the soul, the dust from everyday life."

 

Then on a blog such as this you can start by merely use the comments section at the end of every blog. Easier to get on than email. Easy to open, write, name and close. Easy. That is very important for our entire Oahu dance community. You have a unique and honest opinion and there is no one in the world that has it exactly the same. We will worry about the neighbor islands later and meanwhile we can let the rest of the world can go by.

Then most of our dancers may use their internet to communicate with their friends and do a little internet surfing but not much else. Some are able to get into the Micro blogs like Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest and Facebook and they will be surfing for information. When you get to Blogger and our blogs there will be a big big difference in your incoming dance information because of the feedback we will get. You are permitted to talk back.

This blog has been set up for Live Music but few have taken advantage of the situation. Why? They just don't know. Let us respect their preferences and when they are ready they shall come. Many think that you can get results by big money, but look at it more closely and you just may see the difference. And the fact is that blogging is Social Media - Big Big Difference.

From my Sister Eleanor in California and her daughter Val.

Beautiful Bible Quotes.

Isaiah 11:9
“They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall

be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Stumbling Along

Many good dancers do not go to classes. The just party, party, party and mostly to live music in Waikiki. There is some action in the classy hotels on the Waianae Coast but not for us common folk. They will wait on you Hand and Foot, but charge you an Arm and a Leg. Later for them - much later.

"Keep the smile, Leave the tear, Think of joy, Forget the fear, Hold the laugh,
Leave the pain, Be joyous, Cuz it’s time to dance! Happy Holidays!

For sure Waikiki is getting seedier in spots by the day. The traffic is bad and is going to get worse as the Rail Disaster sets in. Parking fees will increase and it is already getting more cheap carnival kine handling. The Hotel String of dancing clubs that was going up to the Airport has been shot to hell by the Rail Disaster. There has been an increase in bankruptcies in Rail Crisis corridor and advertising has almost disappeared for many. Now the locals are leading in the action towards the Kapolei and the Waianae Coast. And what about the North Shore? They are starting to look better.

"My Sweet Sweetie" by Willie K

When it comes to live music, Waikiki is still the top spot in Hawaii. And there may be a new type dance club evolving. Different than the ordinary dance clubs in town that must adhere to a regimen set down by American and International styling associations. The revolution has not been long in coming since they started to lose so many dancers in the prior century. The new may be the "Hawaiian Social style of dance" based on the American but modernizing it to the dances actually being danced socially.

"Waiting In Vain" by Amy Hanaialii

That certainly means excluding Bolero, and including Bachata, Mambo, Merengue and Salsa. It is coming back strongly now as "Social Dancing" in the mix of the club dancer with the ordinary ballroom dancer. Some standard basic movements that have been there for centuries are beginning to be accepted because they are easy and do not require hours of practice or teaching by ultra professionals. We could give them all the help we can give, and hope for the best for the dancers. That is, the ones that do the dancing for fun, not for the others.

Two Quotes:

"Just because you can't dance does mean you shouldn't dance."

"Trust me, you can dance."

Pau Hana Dance

Honolulu may be decorated with swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches, but that doesn't mean the city is lacking in a place to dance. Numerous night clubs line the streets of Honolulu, most making a home in Waikiki, and range from dance hall, to artsy hip places, gay bars, and even a western cowboy inspired place for some wild nightlife. There's something here for anyone who's looking for a pleasant night on the town, and the great news is that for visitors, it all is close together so you can catch a taxi or walk, not drink and drive.

"There will always be space for improvement, no matter

how long you have been in the business."

Of course the dance studios are starting to go in for social dancing on weekends and doing very good too. Social Dancers do not require acres of dance floor and at the moment it seems as though Dream To Dance Studio and Aloha Dancesport Center are leading the way. Perhaps another studio could set up the Pau Hana Dance in midweek.
 

"Malama Mau Hawai'i" by Amy Hanaialii

It it's essence, it is the old Tea Dance to break up the week and it starts right after work catering to the office workers, starting about 5 pm. On the mainland it is simple, the men simply clean up and take a clean undershirt to be fresher. Some will take their electric razors and make themselves even more presentable. The women of course do better than that.

"I'll Remember You" by Jimmy Borges

The evening is a Happy Hour with dancing, more conversation and less drinking. It is not an all night session, people will start to leave about eight. The traffic at 5 pm is bad and with the Rail Disaster it is going to get worse. So after Pau Hana, there is not much traffic on the way home and less aggravation. You could still get a good nights sleep. It could even be added venue to any night club in town.

"Life may not be the perfect party we had hoped for,

but while we are here, let's dance."

Self Driving Vehicles

The Robots are coming and there is no stopping them. As much as the Present Rail Party is going to try to stop them. There are Big Big Bucks in the Gravy Train. And they are making it right now. And everyone accepts the higher cost of living even on the neighbor islands. They are going to help pay for the Rail Disaster too. They just don't know it yet. Latest estimates now going to 15 Billion dollars.

"Honesty is an expensive gift. Don't expect it from cheap people."

Meanwhile, the mainland is already installing the new self driving vehicles. The first being the personal vehicle for one or two people. Parked in your garage and you get in, insert the key, wait for speaker to say, "Ready Chief." You just say, "Office Robbie" and the garage doors open, the vehicle gets to the street, sees no cars coming and it is on its way to the Freeway.

At the office, Robbie will drop you off where you wish and find parking on its own. When pau work, you call and Robbie will pick you up, take you home or maybe you wish to stop somewhere. You had a hard day and a little booze would do you some good. You meet good friends, relax and enjoy. When you are ready, you call and Robbie will take you home and no one can get you for drunk driving. You weren't driving, you were just a passenger.

"Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for
improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better
opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable."

Aloha Dancesport Center

 Divino Ritmo Dance Monthly
SOCIAL PARTY
This Saturday March 18th 7:30-11:30pm
2 in 1 night for same admission fee
7:30-9 pm all ballroom music/social
After 9pm all latin, salsa party.
Come at 7:30 and stay till the end or
come at 9pm  just for salsa...
All for only $10  with reservation
or $15 at door
Complimentary soft drinks, B.Y.O.B
and snacks, dance performances
and St Patrick Day Celebration
at Aloha Dancesport Center
350 Ward Ave 2nd floor
Yanna
Divino Ritmo Dance, LLC
www.alohadancesportcenter.com

"Abrazame" by Alejandro Fernandez

Robot Cars in Hawaii

Uber said Wednesday it is starting a pilot driverless-car program in San Francisco, nearly three months after it started a similar program in Pittsburgh. Uber will operate a fleet of driverless Volvo XC90 SUVs in San Francisco. Every car will have a “vehicle operator” in the front seat along for the ride. San Francisco riders requesting an UberX (the lower-cost ride, no chauffer) might be paired with a self-driving Uber.

If the rider is matched with a self-driving car, they will receive a notification and will have an opportunity to cancel the ride and request a standard UberX ride. Three passengers can fit in a self-driving Uber.  Uber started a pilot program with driverless cars in Pittsburgh in September. And next will be Hawaii - the Rail Disaster is obsolete so the Present Rail Party is trying to stop these Robots.

"The only dancers the social dancers can compare themselves with

are the dancers they used to be."

Live On Oahu

The power of live music to make folks feel good is on full display at a host of night clubs on Oahu. If you like to spend the evening listening and dancing to Live Music, you can enjoy it all here on this island. We have bands and vocalists showing off their skills every night somewhere and you'll find that Oahu does things right. Multiple options let you tap into many venues which are increasing in the outskirts due to the terrible traffic situation which to due to get worse in town with the Rail Disaster.

“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements

will never do any harm to the world.”

You can get a taste of the island's offerings by visiting places that are known for their Rock music, many catering to the younger crowd. There also places that play a social ballroom type of music attracting the more experienced dancers. Then there is the Salsa-Bachata dance scene. While many venues on the local music scene are clustered in the Waikiki area, we should know that terrific places to hear live music can be found throughout Oahu. And the sounds of this island are as eclectic as the restaurants and the neighborhoods.

"Adoro" by Armando Manzanero

The entire island is legendary for its Chinese food and the terrific Mexican, Japanese and Filipino food. But the musical offerings are just as delicious. Whether you're in the mood for rock, pop, reggae, classical or country, Oahu is a place big enough to attract world-renowned acts but small enough to still have backroom bars where locals can croon to their hearts delight. Whatever type of music gets you in the groove, we promise Oahu will have most of it. Mariachis? We are hoping too.

"I'll Remember You" by Don Ho

Robot Cars are coming. And the Present Rail Party is among the main obstacles to widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles on Oahu. In addition are the disputes concerning liability and the time period needed to turn an existing stock of vehicles from non-autonomous to autonomous.

"Green Eyes" by Jimmy Dorsey

There will be consumer concern about the safety of driverless cars; implementation of legal framework and establishment of government regulations for self-driving cars. There are also the concerns about the resulting loss of driving-related jobs in the road transport industry.

"The library was seen in the last century as a force for self

improvement and the pursuit of knowledge. Perhaps,

in many cases this is no longer true, if it ever was."

Salsa No Ka Oi

Hello, Friends!

SALSA DANCE PERFORMANCE TEAM TRYOUT with Team Hawai'i No Ka Oi.

Tell your friends, know anyone interested in performing or learning a performance.
Take a chance and tryout. No partner needed. We made this 3 hours to complete
the whole performance in 1 day. Time permitting you will learn part of a second
salsa performance. signup before Sunday March 19 and receive a Free Salsa
or Bachata Class Flyer for 2 (Free $25 Value)

808-779-7970 for more info, SIGNUP NOW or at Sunday Salsa and Bachata Classes

@ 1070 N King St upstairs 5-8PM. May take this tryout without performing....

Bachata/Bachata Rueda Performance Team Tryout Coming April/May.

"Moliendo Cafe" por Azucar Moreno

Ballroom not exciting enough? When talking to young people learning to dance socially we often hear they find Ballroom dancing a little boring. This is specially true when the International style is taken into consideration due to the restrictions it comes with the permanent body contact being the main one. For that reason they often prefer the American social or even the Latin dances now with Salsa and Bachata. There is however an easy way to make Ballroom more exciting for people of all ages - it is the way to dance "socially," as we do on Oahu.

 “God answers Knee Mail” 

Live - Recorded

Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. In our dance world on Oahu, the major categories are live dance music and recorded dance music. Live music on Oahu includes the big presentations at the Blaisdell for listeners. And from moderate 7 to 9 person bands for listening and dancing, to the single one person musician to just enjoy listening. Social Dance fans of live music and artists are just beginning to recognize the value of the "Oldies But Goodies," on this Island for both the listeners and the dancers.

"Most social dancers never set out to create a technique. They start out on

the floor to find themselves, to find what the body can do, and what would

give them satisfaction - emotionally, dramatically and bodily."

The term "dance music" is often used for more commercial forms of electronic music. It is also associated as any form of music that is danced to, spanning genres of pop, hip-hop, house, techno, disco, electro and so on. Recorded dance music on Oahu is almost all in night clubs by Disc Jockeys. The Social dance clubs also have some very good DJs available.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

We do recognize that recorded music is the most "listened to" on this Island. And it is on record that office workers do better when listening to music than without. And the type of music has a difference in the working results. This also depends on the type of office work being done. Wow! This is getting too complicated for me. I just like to dance to a live band.

"Social dancing on Oahu is not just the variety of the individual

social dance styles. It's the good music, the good dance,

the good people and the entire enchilada."

Practice - Rehearsal

Our Musician Artists know when they go into the recording studio, they don’t just lay down basic tracks, add a few sweeteners, and a scratch track vocally, then turn to the producer and say, “Sounds great. Let’s get it to the manufacturer!” The artist on Oahu who has any sense at all knows there’s more to be done with the recording. You need a final mix. In fact, the mix can even make or break the song.

"Sometimes we need to step outside, get some air and remind

ourselves of who we are and what we want to be."

And many artists don’t realize there is more to getting a live show ready than just “practicing” the music. Rehearsal involves the musical, the visual, the verbal, the rearranging of songs that were written for our local dance crowd so they work and play better. So Rome was not built in a Day, but we are getting the best in the Pacific right here on Oahu.

"Aloha No Kalakaua" by Amy Hanaialii

Fortunately, the oldies but goodies in live music are being recognized throughout the Islands and we have gone through a good definition in this blog. However there is another group also well known, the Classics. Just a little different from the Oldies. They are the ones that stand the test of time. La Paloma, 1850s and La Golondrina, 1860s, originally in Spanish, will remain throughout the world as Classics.

"Old Devil Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Not many know what a blog is. That's alright, everyone is learning. It is a truncation of the word "weblog" and is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web. They consist of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries ("posts"). Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page. The biggest distinction from a Web site is the currency of the data. A Blog Site often has what happened yesterday and what is going to happen tomorrow.

"We dance because there no greater feeling in the world than moving

to our favorite music and letting the rest of the world go by." 

FREE WORKSHOP

at Aloha Dancesport Center
350 Ward Ave 2nd floor
Honolulu,HI,96814

Australian NEW VOGUE
come to learn something new, first time in Hawaii group class in Australian New Vogue
(Australian version similar to American Smooth, fun circular open dance)

by Andrew White from iDance Bendigo Australia
Wednesday March 15th at 8pm only
take this opportunity to see and learn something new.

Group class is free and open to all dancers

if you like the style and would like to learn more,

Andrew will be available for some privates on Thursday afternoon 

________________________________________

"The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase:

if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.

Pub's Note: Public relations helps dance organizations and their public adapt mutually to each other. In our blogging Public Relations broadly applies to communication to and from the reader/dancers. This covers a great variety of different views and opinions.

Clubbing Around

Two of the hottest spots in Honolulu for nightlife and dancing are Addiction Nightclub and M Nightclub. Both venues offer classy and hip drinks, live acts, and nice fellow party goers. M is open till 4 a.m. and Addiction till 3:30 a.m., so you can't beat the hours anywhere else in town. If you're looking for a cowboy themed place drop into Nashville Waikiki wearing your finest cowboy or cowgirl hat. And there are a few dozen more intimate spots to have a good time. Most of these are for the younger under 40 crowd.

"Excellent dancers don't believe in excellence - only in

constant improvement and constant change."

For the more experience social dancers there is the traditional American Style of dance. And it is slightly modified by the Night Club dancers. But socially it is getting more standardize so both leads and follows can dance with each other easily specially here on Oahu. Fortunately we have on Oahu some of the best teachers of the American Style in the Pacific. It is pretty well divided into the Smooth and the Latin division. And what is American Smooth?

 "Have I Told You Lately?" by Melveen Leed

American Smooth can be best described as a form of ballroom dancing with an enhanced repertoire of easy to perform, yet exciting steps. All basic principles and the technique of ballroom dancing still apply, however partners are not required to maintain a continuous body contact as in International Style of Dance. Not having the body contact restriction allows the dancers to perform steps such as: lady under arm turns, spins, side by side positions, parallel turns, dips, drops and other variations that would never be allowed in the International Style.

"Sweet Someone" by Don Ho

Anyone who is learning to dance will find American Smooth very easy to learn, yet refreshing due to its interesting, rich syllabus. The music used for American Smooth, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Foxtrot is basically the same as that used for Ballroom as they know it in Europe, with the exception of quickstep, which is not danced in the American Smooth style. A similar dance is the Peabody which is making a comeback in some places in the US. I do not think I have seen it on our dance floors in this century.

Even Rhythm: A combination of steady consistent beats that are identical

to the meter and get the same time value. Merengue and Waltz? 

Dancing Live Music

We are getting some good dancers in the live music scene. Not fancy dancers, just good run of the mill dancers that enjoy moving to their favorite live music. And in the company of friends. As professionals, the first Indian civilizations of a couple millenniums ago made many movements which were unnatural, for the sake of the exhibition. And it still occurs today. But early on they established a difference in dancing for the pure enjoyment of moving to the music of the occasion or doing it as a performance for an audience.

"Dancers were born with need for music already inside of them

and it becomes a necessity like food and water."

On Oahu we are gradually learning that dancing for fun is a far more natural way of movement than the prescribed methods by professionals. The professionals are not wrong, they simply have a different agenda and we should all understand that for it can be beautiful. All of us are learning not to look down on anyone not dancing our way.

"Waterfall" by Willie K

The natural rebellion against structured dance occurs with the young and they are constantly acquiring "new" movements, "new" dances and "new" music and most of these fads all come and go. We should accept it with understanding and even join in if looks like fun. It will soon pass. The Waltz music will remain, the Rumba-Bolero music will remain, well into the next century,

"At Last" by Amy Hanaialii

In 2001, President Clinton handed George Bush a projected 10-year budget surplus over $5 trillion. Bush and Cheney turned Clinton's surplus into a $5 trillion deficit through outrageous tax cuts for the rich, and we voted for these stupid crackpots again. Yeah, I know, it's the bread, Fred, it's the dough, Moe. They are making millions and millions of dollars. Easy Money.

"Dancers can enjoy a glass of wine, for its health benefits. The other

glasses are for the witty comebacks and the flawless dance moves."

Live On Oahu

By Franklin Nguyen, Ewa Beach

Few of our musicians make the mistakes that are made in the Mainland. And the biggest is  “Winging it” which is mistaken for spontaneity. “Dude, I’ve got to be spontaneous – I can’t rehearse my show!” Sometimes our reply could be “Awesome – but if you really want to be spontaneous, make up the song right in front of the audience… that would be real awesome!” They would probably look at us like we are crazy or have 2 heads.

"For Social Dancers there will be many times when the lyrics to the music

you are dancing to were written just for you."

Because of course they practice the music, dynamics, tempo, tones, melodies, and harmonies. They know those need to be right. And, if they’re a group, they work on making the music really tight. But instead of learning the right way to be spontaneous onstage, they mistake “winging it” for spontaneity! They jump around onstage and try different things, hoping something will work. And here’s the irony – when they do something verbally, visually, or musically in front of the crowd one night that gets a great response, they do that same thing the next night, too.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

So where did the spontaneity go? They do the same thing they did the first night because it worked! That’s because spontaneity and winging it are 2 different things. In fact, if they rehearse right, they will leave room for spontaneity in their show. For dancers on Oahu, if they play that terrific oldie like they did last week, they are willing to buy somebody a drink for helping the dancers enjoy and move to that same music.

"Dancers love music with a passion. It is a way of living

and music is essential to their lives."