Alcohol, Night Clubs

Needless to say, night club owners have counted on the income from the sale of booze and have always wanted the customers to be happy and drink. And in the last quarter century, dancers on Oahu have acquired a reputation of being non drinkers. And it is possible to define a social drinker in a number of ways. A definition could be based on the amount the individual drinks or their relationship to alcohol.

"Social dancers know that moving to your favorite music is all

about good feelings, good vibes and a good time."

One way to describe a social drinker would be to say that these are individuals that do not spend a lot of time thinking about alcohol. They feel no need to control their intake. Such individuals never drink enough to worry about having to cut back. Specially if you have other things on mind such as dancing. "Excuse me folks, I'm going to ask that lady over there for a dance."

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Then soon we may look forward to having Juice Bars in the night clubs of Oahu. Now being introduced on the Mainland, many are independent entities run by one person in charge of buying and selling, and is believed to have originated in Europe. No positives? How about the creation of dozens if not hundreds of jobs all across the Islands? You’re going to need more juicers, more people working the supply chain of produce getting fresh fruit and vegetables into those juicing machines. In fact every night club in the Islands could be selling fresh juice.

"Do That To Me One More Time"

by Captain and Tenille

Not everyone drinks booze, some people can’t for health reasons and dancing makes you thirsty. Dancers need something else to flush down their gullet, and fresh juice often fills that void left by alcohol, better than soda pop. If the clubs also sell chopstick pupus, it goes right with it and is additional income. The time is now dancers of Oahu, we need more juice in our night clubs.

"Dance may involve every possible feeling because it is of the body. Some of

these feelings can be named, some cannot. Dance exists first on this

primordial level, not on an intellectual plane. Its inmost

substance cannot be reasoned, only experienced.”

And time marches on

Live Music on Oahu is alive and well. We just do not find it easy to get the information to share with our reader\dancers. But that is alright, they may wish to get dance info only for their fans. We have to go with the rest of Oahu and maybe even the neighbor Islands. Not only that, but I have to go where it is the easiest. I try to avoid the ones that think blogs are too much trouble. Simple? Studios, what studios? There are dance studios on Oahu but not too many studios teaching our kind of dancing. And if they got their own Web Sites we can forget it.

"Often the only thing standing between a person and their dreams is the will
to do what is necessary and the faith to believe it is possible. "

Of course we will get an additional dance club in the Waipio-Waikele section which will probably have dancing lessons in the American Style of dancing which is the more social of the styles. And with over 600 documented moves in each dance, you will find that the styles danced in the West will differ slightly from the styles that will be danced in Honolulu. But no Hu HU, we will be friends.

"Young At Heart" by Frank Sinatra

We are not talking about exhibition or competition or any of the other kind of dances that are meant to be seen. Dancesport is the official name given to the sport of competitive Ballroom Dancing by the professional societies. We are talking about the Social dancer that dances for the pure love of moving to the music of their choice.

"Don't dance like nobody is watching. Dance like everybody

is watching. - And show them how it is done."

~An Exhibition Dancer

Makua Alii

I hadn't been there in sometime but I called up my friend Tad Fukumoto and he said it was still there. Too late to call the Handi Van and I was feeling pretty good so I decided to go by the #53 bus. Picks me up about a block from here and takes me to Ala Moana Shopping Center in 45 minutes. Got there before six pm.

"Some people call it dance, and some dancers call it life."

Not bad. I needed the exercise so I walk it to Makua Alii and get there in about a half hour. No hurry, take my time and enjoy my walk. Got there by six thirty and few people were there. Most people starting come in about seven but I was disappointed to see so few dancers and definitely not enough men. Some dancing until 7:30 when they have the free dance lessons which on this night was International Tango taught by Tad Fukomoto and Kathy Uyehara. Class is a half hour and then they have general dancing until 8:30.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz

My fingers fumble and I always take the first picture to make sure the camera is working. In this case the box of gardenias donated for the occasion. Then I got Kathy to get some pictures for me. Perhaps next time there will be more people and I can get more pictures. I cannot travel around the way I use to, I am on a walker and most of the time I go by Handi Van and they are terrific. My best hobby in my old age is blogging so there you are. Let me know when I can blog. I will be there. Mahalo.

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed.

Field Mouse gets all dressed up to see her boyfriend across the large field. Half way there she gets caught in the Farmer's Reaper but makes through. She arrives in bad shape to meet her boyfriend. He is shocked and asks her, "What happened, Honey?" She replies, "I've been reaped."

Get Update

The Live music scene on Oahu seems to be be improving every day. Nice for the new dancers joining in the fun in this manner. The entire blogospher is steady in average hits per day. When we start to get comments, the hits will begin the increase. We get a few flyers on the action but no real social media in the works. We must be patient.

"Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
It is not enough that a thing be possible for it to be believed. Not knowing
when the dawn will come, every door must be opened."

 

Anything that can make writing the blog easier is a blessing, and many blog writers and blog information contributors often approach it by the seat of their pants. There’s nothing wrong with that. Our blogging is not old time journalism, it is mostly just information with possible feedback making it Social Media. Adding some structure to the writing process can make the work move along more smoothly though.

 "Hale'iwa Hula" by Amy Hanaialii

Not many know the reader/dancers of our community and the biggest group is the Social dancers group. These are the every day dancers and participants in our dance community and we are probably in that group ourselves. Do a little research, gather a few facts and information. This is usually fairly easy since we are exposed to it daily and it is all around us. And our aim is just to get it all to our reader/dancers hoping to get comments in print.

"Ain't No Lovin' Blues" by Willie K 

Finally organize the information, making it short and sweet. Then get it into three parts, Beginning, middle and ending. And voila, just a few touch ups and it is there! When you have contributed by E-mail and it is published in the blog of your choice, you have become a full fledged, Information Contributor. From there it is just a skip and a jump to being a Guest Author. What do you say? You are the one that makes the final decision.

"Social Dancers know that self-worth is vital to their happiness. If they don't feel good about themselves, it is hard to feel good about anything else."

Night Club Trend in West Oahu

Most every night clubber on Oahu knows the weekend in Honolulu. The traffic is bad and with the Rail Crisis it is going from bad to worse. The residents that have lived in West Oahu for a while are gettin very interested in a little night life and entertainment close by. Dot's in Wahiawa and Just Tacos in Mililani are doing just fine. Gonna be more? You bet. "I coulda been home in 20 minutes." Takes 20 minutes to get out of the parking area in Waikiki.

"Social Dancers still believe that no matter how good or bad your life is,

wake up each morning and be thankful that you still have one."

There is a need for a place to dance in this area. Yeah, but where? In my opinion, Kapolei as second city should be but the Present Rail Party is doing every thing it can to stifle second city. Every thing should be done in town. Don't use the car take the Rail. Yeah man. They are trying to stop the Robot taxis too. And the new Dance Clubs or New Night Clubs will find it easier to understand blogging. The communication of information in West Oahu to possible new clients and the facility of getting instant feedback for everyone's benefit.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

We could understand that the dancers in the West Oahu are interested in music and dancing first. They would like to get mellow but getting drunk is the farthest thing from their minds, perhaps even less than those in town. Most drink only occasionally, they never get into trouble because of alcohol and they don’t do or say things they regret while drinking. Just ordinary social dancers and social drinkers. It should not be a surprise to anyone.

"Contigo A La Distancia"

por Lucho Gatica

Then there is the subject of dance floors, mainly the size. Most social dancers can dance on cement if they have to but they like more room to move the way they want to. Bigger than a two car garage. Not many in the upper strata seem to understand this. But it makes a difference for the social dancers, even the new learning clodhoppers. That is one of the things that makes studios such an attractive place to dance, the nice spacious floors. But again our readers are becoming more akamai every day.

"Social Dancers are not sure if they are happier the more they dance

or if the more they dance, the happier they are."

We May Make It

By Joaquin Mendoza, Pupukea
Blog comments are what makes a blog interactive and social. Of course, our people on Oahu still have not properly defined Social Media and I myself hesitate. The most popular blogs on the mainland have a very interactive community who voice their opinions on posts frequently. Unfortunately, most of our readers have been accustomed to the "to whom it may concern" information of the past, strictly one way. We shall overcome.

"Social Dancers are not great because of their technique,

they are great because of their passion."

It's that social aspect that makes the blogs on Oahu such a powerful component of our social media. People like to feel involved but our people hesitate. Leaving blog comments allows readers to join in on the conversation about a topic that interests them. The Creative Researchers And Producers in town have been losing their influence for several years now, so it's looking much better for all of us.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz

Blog comments are a very important part of a blog. Comments are what separates a blog from a static website. As the conversation builds, so will the relationship with the readers and so will our blog's popularity. We can encourage the readers to join in the discussion and leave comments and respond promptly to the comments left by our readers to make them feel valued. Just as we don't like to be ignored when we address someone in person, we don't want to ignore our readers/dancers when they address us through a blog comment.

"Fly Me To The Moon"

by Jimmy Borges

Some of the readers are going to create commendable content by observing which posts they commented on and which they did not (or couldn’t no matter how hard they tried!) they develop an awareness of what works to attract comments.  Comments - ideas. They managed to comment and they will very easily expand into Information Contributors or perhaps if they so wish, to Guest Authors. I myself am too old to make this commitment but I may get in now and then.

"If  you are moving to your favorite music you are dancing. If you perform without the passion then it is simply an arrangement of steps."

The Rail Crisis

Many saw it from the beginning as a Disaster.  Caldwell and the Present Rail Party touted Rapid Transit and conned a lot people. They spent ten million dollars lying about Cayetano. Ben won 100 thousand dollars in court later but he had already lost the election because of those that believed the lies. Nobody mentions Rapid Transit anymore. Most people know that it was not a misnomer, it was a deliberate lie. And does anyone know what happened to the first five billion? Heh Heh

 We coulda got 1000 of these babies for less than one billion.

Anybody in Makaha can get the #93 express bus even right now at 6:00 am and get to Honolulu Hale by 7:30 am. And most everyone on this island knows that the Rail Catastrophe will never be able to beat that - ever. It is made with 21 stops, and there is no way in hell that they are going to make it in 21 minutes. I don't care how fast it can go. Lies and more lies. Millions and millions of dollars being made daily. Send good money after bad? You cannot do anything about it? You are stuck with it?

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz

Beautiful Business Parks vetoed by the Present Rail Party, Waianae, Kapolei,

Mililani, North Shore. Thousands would be missing from the freeways to

Honolulu Traffic Jams. And "I coulda been home in 20 minutes."

Caldwell's original estimate was 3 billion dollars and go all the way to UH Manoa. It went quickly to 5 billion right after the election and shortened to Ala Moana Center. Estimates quickly rose, to 6 billion to 7, then 8, 9 and in 2016 it came to light, that it would go to 10 billion dollars. Transportation sources in Los Angeles in 2017 predict it will go to 15 billion. The Present Rail Party is crying all the way to the bank. The "Gravy Train as it is now called in Honolulu Hale goes by another name with the Present Rail Party. "Easy Money" millions and millions of dollars, specially now that the neighbor islands will have to pay for the Rail Fiasco too.

P.T. Barnum once said, "There is a sucker born every minute." The Present Rail Party says "He was wrong, in Hawaii, it is every second."

Blogging this blog.

The three bottom blogs are Extrava Danza (niche, Live Music), Ritmo Mestizo (niche, Latin music and dance) and Dancing Nights (niche, Night Club dance.) They are relative newcomers and having a tough time because I over diluted the readership with too many blogs. The readership has increased ever so slowly but in the last few years we have had a lot of increased interest in social dancing too, much of it in Night Clubs. So I expect readers gotta know their computers and tell us about Live Music?

Social Dancers know that no matter what life throws at them,
music softens the blow."

Feedback is almost unknown on the dance scene and that is the biggest problem for increasing the interest of the dancers. Comments at the end each blog could arouse some interest in a few of our good reader/dancers. It is just a small enough item, but it could lead to being an information contributor and enable anyone to email larger items and even photos to share with our fellow dancers. From there, it is only a skip and jump to being a Guest Author. That means a very good invitation in the blog for someone who is a fan of Live Music. It will take time for the readers to know this.

"Hukilau Song" by Don Ho

The same thing applies to all the other blogs and they are accumulating readers from their existing readers through word of mouth communication. I would want to see them develop, with information contributors and guest authors into independent and real blogs of the Pacific. I am sure now that the first one that goes independent will get over 200 average hits per day. Same as 6000 hits per month. Now that is communicating to our fellow dancers on the Island of Oahu.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

"Blogging is best learned by blogging…and by reading other bloggers.

You will find that the currency of blogging is authenticity and

 trust, so there must be feedback."

Underneath most blog posts is an area for the reader/dancers to leave a comment about each post. Blog comments are a critical part of a successful blog, and an area bloggers and readers should understand and focus on to create a great blog. All of our blogs on this island have been conspicuous by their lack of comments. We get more spam than actual comments.

Day Dancing too?

As Web sites continue to recede in the background, blogs are also forcing change on the world of the Micro social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Google plus, Pinterest, Tumblr. All of which I share my blogger Blogs with. In Hawaii, the "Blog" is coming more into the forefront of social media. And this particular blog is dedicated to dancing in evenings in Night Clubs on Oahu. Of course, it cannot be too much of a specialty.

"Social Dancers know that they dance to express, not to impress."

On the Mainland, blogging too has also continued to evolve from a leisure activity that many had engaged in to share a passion or record their personal hopes and dreams. Now much of it has gone towards a legitimate career choice for talented content creators. While "blogging" might have only been entered on a resume under "Hobbies and Interest" in 2007, in 2017 it is just as likely to be found under "Work Experience" on the same document.

"Stranger In Paradise" by Tony Bennett

So as social media on Oahu, we should include any items on the social dance scene, wherever it happens. And the increased readership will demand it. We may have an announcement of a coming attraction but it pales with what happened at the shindig. A nice description of the affair and plenty of photos to flesh it out. Now that will be our blogging. Feedback, the comments, very important and of course, the information contributors. Just email it in.

"Listen to the right people and ignore the wrong ones. People that doubt you,
hate you and judge you are never worth your time or attention."

What Kind Of Dancing?

I don't mean to be sensitive but yes, I am now getting to the point that if they don't look interested, I'm outta theah! I am not selling anything and I don't want to get in anyone's way.  I am not going to waste anymore of their time or mine. I have too many possibles, the hits keep going up, I am too old and I must be on my way. No Hu Hu.

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mahatma Gandhi.

We need more men dancers. On this entire island of Oahu for some reason line dancing has a big female advantage in number of dancers. So there is great opportunity for men to meet women in line dance classes. And men can be very good line dancers, specially to live music for they concentrate more on the music than a partner and the steps. When it was very western most men did not feel right unless they had a Cowboy hat on and Cowboy boots. Perhaps a gun slung around the waist. Now, just enjoy moving to the music.

"Living Without You" by Nohelani Cypriano

Of course, for many men, line dancing has been the forerunner for partner dancing in which men learn to lead. And in West Oahu, we seem to be getting an increase in percentage of men in social partner dancing too. We have the same two favorites as of town. Those dancers whose primary purpose to dance. And those who love the music and want to move to it, definitely less fancy. Of course, in this entire island if it happens to be in the company of women, terrific.

"Paniolo Country" by Melveen Leed

I have not seen it very often in Night Clubs but it has seemed like a very nice break in the nights festivities. They only thing bad in the "break" kind line dancing, it can get much too fancy for the ordinary social dancer. The disciplines have a very good reason to separate into three classes. Bronze, Silver and Gold. You can certain have a long and lasting good time in social dancing with just the Bronze and a little of the Silver, "If" you enjoy the music first.

"Social Dancers eventually realize that mistakes are

made for learning, not repeating."

Next Month

A little trouble here, my phone and Internet giving me a hard time. The phone company should be here by Wednesday, they may expedite. Meanwhile I must be doubly careful. If I fall, I have no phone to 911. Finally got a nice poster from Yanna in JPEG format and that is easy as pie to handle.

Alma Latino Caliente Salsa Night
Saturday May 20th 7:30-11:30pm

Latin Social night ( salsa, merengue, bachata, rumbas ……)
B.Y.O.B soft drinks complimentary, admission $10 per person

Please join us on Saturday June 3rd for Annual Anniversary Celebration
of Aloha Dancesport Center - see poster for details

Yanna
Divino Ritmo Dance,LLC
350 Ward ave 2nd floor, Honolulu
www.alohadancesportcenter.com

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

"Social Dancers know that dance is the joy of movement
to your favorite song and the heart of life."

Adjustments

Since Blogger was launched in 1996, blogs have reshaped the web, impacted politics, shaken up journalism, and enabled millions of people to have a voice and connect with others. Microblogs like Twitter force you to say it in 140 characters. And many of us are already expecting that the entire enchilada is just getting started.

"There is nothing better than seeing your favorite band

play one of your favorite songs."

I have found that comments, good or bad make interesting reading. And we do not get enough of that in these blogs. Most comments are short, but go over very nicely. And they may lead to becoming a Two Center. A person willing to contribute their two cents of information for the benefit of the reader/dancers. I just may get some good advice on improving the blog design a little better (specially colors) without screwing up my good blogs.

"Walk With Me Through Paradise" by Melveen Leed

How about more fans of live music as possible information contributors? They can contribute information and check it out here first. If it seems to be working, then they can choose whichever blog they would like and get in as Guest Author. An interesting experiment and my hobby continues. The opinions of our reader/dancers are still of prime importance to make this entire blogosphere into dancing Social Media. Nevah been seen before? I know it.

"Social Dancers never regret. If it was good, it was wonderful.

If it was bad, it was experience." 

 

Live on the Internet

I found this on the Internet. "I really don't want to share when I find places on Oahu that I fall instantly in love with! Chances are people will catch on to reading reviews and my quiet little sanctuary will be no more as people flood in constantly to see what the fuss is all about! Good for business, bad for me! I'm tempted to keep it all for myself but I learned how to share in elementary school."

"People learn from success, but there is also much to learn from failure."

The thing is that quiet little sanctuaries on Oahu is not what we are seeking . We are looking for a place that is jumping with a live band and fun people. And looking for people that are willing to share that environment with the rest of their fellow dancers in a blog. Feedback has many little items of interest to the readers. How about saying something nice about the band? That makes for repeat readers and that is the name of our game, Social Media, a conversation.

 "Stranger In Paradise" by Frankie Laine.

For our blogosphere, the year is not a big smash just a slow growing number of average hits per day in our total blogs. This includes search engines, Google, Facebook, Twitter, which is just fine with us. However it also includes scam, spam robot hits, most coming from Russia. Some kind of deal Trump made. Then most of our blogging is SOS (same old shit) and feedback is the answer. Dancers have been somewhat computer challenged in the past but they are sure catching up now. Many are no longer learning from me, I am learning from them.

"Social dancers know that positive results will come when they start

to replace their negative thoughts and habits with positive ones."

Nite Clubbing Anyone?

A small problem we seem to be having is that many of the Social dancers in this area seem to dance in a type of learned behavior way, meaning, when they hear the song, they know, "Hey, I am supposed to Foxtrot to this." Most is learned in the social dance clubs which certainly help a lot of people. Not everyone is a "Rhythm" expert, but we could understand that they are all friendly people and willing to help others have fun. More of us seem to have the acceptance of other dance styles. Even if they are not part and parcel of our dance floor style. We are all moving to the music being played. We enjoy, let them enjoy.

"Social Dancers seem to know that the more they learn

what they are about, the better the results shall be."

Yes, blogging is entertainment. It is performance. Each blog post can be a show, sometimes an opera, sometimes a 30 second commercial. Like a show, it may start with a bang, lead you along from song to song, have a great climatic moment, then leave the audience wanting more. Platinum Horseshoe blog is still leading the pack. When we get a club in Kapolei and another in Waianae we will have the hits going through the roof.

"Girl From Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto

At present the biggest need for all the blogs is feedback. There is room for comments at the end of each blog, requiring only your name or pen name. Anonymous is not accepted. That may lead to being an information contributor (Two Center.) Emailing much more information to share. From there, it is just skip and a jump to be a guest author.

"Fly Me To The Moon"

by Jimmy Borges

Whatever blog, there will be no stopping them, once they decide to become independent, they will rule the waves. And there may be a lady out there with the women's point of view, that could share some dance news with our reader/dancers. The diversity of opinion is the secret, so I have work to do to communicate the fact. If I work it right, I will lose my best blogs which will become independent of me and I will keep the junk blogs to the end.

"Social Dancers learn that their actions do affect other people. So they

are careful what they say and do, it's not always about them."

The Trump Construction Company

Haven't heard much about that new company lately and it could be that some convinced Trump that it was just too much. The new Trump Construction Company was going to have all Trump people as stockholders, Ryan, McConnell, five members of the Supreme Court and all the rest of the Kiss Assers. Plans on building a "Great Trump Wall" somewhere, with estimated profits of One Hundred Billion Dollars. And who was gonna pay for all this? Guess. We know the republicans pretty good now and it ain't gonna be by the rich.

"Social Dancers know they are not given a good life or a bad life.

They are given life - it is up to them to make it good or bad."

From an old Night Club playlist, 20 years ago on the Mainland.

A String of Pearls - Swing
Cocktails for Two - Cha Cha
Could I Have This Dance? - Waltz
Elmer's Tune - Fox Trot
Fascination - Waltz
Fever Fox - Trot
Fly Me to the Moon - Fox Trot
Fool on the Hill - Rumba
The Girl from Ipanema - Rumba
All Shook Up - Swing
All That Jazz - Fox Trot
Beautiful Day for Goodbye - Waltz
Bésame Mucho - Rumba
Blue Tango - Tango
Boy from New York City - Swing

"Adoro" por Armando Manzanero

Pub's Side Note: We certainly have some nice dancing people in Pearlridge. Real, nice people. And then there was this big fellow. About six - five and weighed at least 350 pounds. Couldn't navigate on the dance floor. Didn't care. Social dancers are very polite and they all kept out of his way.

 "Social dancers know full well that the good life is a process,

not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination."

Live Music Blog

You never heard of it. Neither me, so I really don't know that much about it. This one on Oahu just started on a whim when I could go Night Clubbing and enjoy some nice a Live Music. So the fact remains that no one really knows, but many of us are making the effort to define ours, especially since at one point I was getting close to deleting it. We are getting a few readers now and the feedback is going to count.

"We are still masters of our fate, all of us. We are still captains of our souls."

A dancing blog may be a personal diary - a daily pulpit - a collaborative space - a political soapbox. It may be a breaking-news outlet - a collection of links - our own private thoughts and even memos to the world. Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus, all in one, but much closer to home, us on Oahu, the reader/dancers, as a smaller group and in a more personal manner. I offer the platform, then it is up the reader to take it or leave it. The decision is completely up to them.

"My Favorite Things" by Andy Williams

Our dancing blogs are whatever we want them to be. There are thousands of them, in all shapes and sizes, so there are no real rules. In simple terms, a dance blog is a dance web site, where we write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so our visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email us. Or whatever and it is all up to them, no requirements, no commitments. In this blog we have two distinct groups, the listeners and the dancers and they get along just fine.

"You can see some terrific 'movers' to that good live music on all our

dance floors, every night of the week on Oahu."