Moving Nicely

This blog is holding on but not too good. Like all the other blogs we need the information contributors, specially those that can eventually become Guest Bloggers. This is the solution for all the blogs to the immediate problem of getting more average hits per day. Once we can establish that and watch the hits go into the stratosphere, we will be certain of what to do. For now getting the Information and Photo contributors is most necessary. We must share our dance environment with our fellow dancers. That is what a social media blog is all about.

"Social dancers believe that they should all be able to dance through life and
only change the tempo now and then according to the music.”

In Hawaii, American Style is still in social dancing with over 60 per cent of the entire enchilada. Mainly in the studio, dance club and nightclub dancers. Once the Nightclubs in the West get going and giving the American Style cultural dancer what they want, then, that will set the new night club style for the islands. They all have a valid reason for living and we should respect.  International is 30% with 10% by the peripherals, Line, Night Club, Salsa, Tango, Swing etc.

     "I've Been Thinking About You" by Londonbeat (1991)  

Introducing David and Lea at HBDA Cultural Ball

Our changing dancing scene, Mambo became a standard in American Style dancing of the last century but never officially. The Hustle also has entered into the American Style of dance. Then both were supplanted by the Salsa and now the Bachata, coming in strong. What happened to Reggaeton? And the Zouk still waiting in the wings. Will the kids know what to do with it? You betcha.

"Truth: the most deadly weapon ever discovered by humanity. Capable of destroying
entire perceptual sets, cultures, and realities. Outlawed by some governments
everywhere. Possession may be normally punishable by death."

The New Wave

I am hoping more of our readers will look into other social dance sites in Hawaii and perhaps we can use some of their ideas in our blogs. Whatever our readers will like. "That's Dancing," one of Frank's Blogs has had some nice humor and probably appreciated by all his readers. We should have a little more humor in our blogging. For now the simplest solution to getting more hits, is the addition of a Guest Author in whatever blog they choose and blogging whatever they like. The important thing is their honest opinion. That is the value in our kind of blogging.

 “Some social dancers say that they do not have to talk about dance.

Dance is not something to talk about. Dance is to dance.”

I do not get around much anymore because of my physical disabilities. But I do see an occasional dancer. In Kapolei is seems to be well known that there have been two groups in town that have consistently produced the best International Style dancers on this island. By the same token there have been two groups that have consistently produce the worst International Style dancers on this Island. Who? Ha Ha! We're talking competition here are we not? That is the name of "your" game. I wouldn't know from Shinola.

"Joyride" by Roxette (1991)

Also, please prepare for this fun dance coming up on Friday, August 3, 2018!
Here are the wonderful details! SEE YOU THERE!!! Maile for WBDC 

Salsa seems to be still going strong in Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The Philippines seems to be pretty solid too. We don't hear much about Salsa on the neighbor islands. We will, but then they like to keep things pretty much to themselves. We must be patient.

“Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy”
~Ludwig van Beethoven

Wahiawa is jumping.

Aloha Everyone! From Maili Yagi
Monday Night Beginners Ballroom Dance Class STARTS A NEW CLASS SESSION!
July 30, 2018 7:30 pm until 9:30 pm.
Wahiawa Recreation Center Hale Hookipa Room
1139-A Kilani Ave. Wahiawa, Hi.

The dance instructors, Felipe Repollo and assistant, Carol Mendoza, will be teaching an American Rhumba routine to prepare each student for the WBDC's "A Christmas Masquerade Ball", to be held at Helemano Plantation Camp 808, on December 8, 2018. Each class will consist of a 2 hour long American Rhumba lesson. Having a partner is recommended. However, if you just want to come to just learn the dance steps, you are not obligated to perform or have a partner and you are still welcome to come and join this class!

Within the "Break Period", after the first hour of American Rhumba, Leland and Maile Yagi will be teaching a quick 15 minute "Basic Beginning Nightclub Two Step Lesson" . It is optional if you would like to participate or just watch and relax. This will take place every week in-between each American Rhumba Classes.

The 3rd week of Line Dance Class at Wahiawa Recreation Center's Hale Hookipa room is still going on every Wednesday Night from 7:30pm - 9:00 pm. There are still 3 more weeks to do and it is not difficult to learn at all so come! Cost for both class session: $10.00 per person per each class session x 6 weeks on each scheduled date. day and time. $5.00 per person for annual Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club membership, if you are not an active member. The membership is good for one calendar year.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

RESERVE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2018, FOR WBDC'S A CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE BALL! RESERVE SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 (NEXT YEAR), FOR WBDC'S 50TH GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DANCE!  IT IS GOING TO BE TWO VERY SPECIAL DANCES FOR YOU TO ENJOY TO THE FULLEST! DETAILS TBA!

Also, please prepare for this fun dance coming up on Friday, August 3, 2018! Here are the wonderful details! SEE YOU THERE!!!  Maile for WBDC

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion

against injustice and lying and greed.

Hard Salsa

From Ray Gutierrez, Kaimuki
Anyone know the difference?

Salsa dura, or hard salsa, is the old school sound of the New York barrios that's been revived as an answer to the splintering of Latin music. Happily, it sounds as good today as it did in the '70s and '80s; indeed, a few of the artists, like Eddie Palmieri were playing in the old days. This revival hits hard indeed, making the feet twitch and the mouth smile, especially on cuts like "Naci Rumbero" (born to dance Rumba) from Jimmy Delgado, an old hand whose timbales burst with energy on the breaks.

“Many social dancers become dancers because they wanted to be an active
participant in the conversation about social dancing.”

Jimmy Bosch, held in the highest regard as a trombonist, shines with his band on "El Embajador," (the embassador) a wonderfully charged piece with a firm groove and plenty of room for soloing -- a descarga, or jam, for all intents and purposes. Rounding the CD off with a salsa taken on "I Get a Kick Out of You" is a fine idea, even if it's a bit more glitzy than the rest of the material here. If you thought the golden days of salsa were a few decades in the past, what's on here will show just how wrong you are.

"Ven, Devorame Otra Vez" por Armando Castro

In Hawaii it's still very much alive, and kicking like a mule. The above is definitely on the upbeat. But in New York many of the hot Salsa Clubs have folded, and the movement is traveling West. Should be in Hawaii by next year. Fortunately Bachata seems to be doing all right. And Zouk and Kizomba and Zumba are waiting in the wings.

“Social dancers know that they are not young enough to know everything.” 

Night Clubbing in West Oahu

The Night Clubs have been divided by their fans very nicely. A big part of the dance scene in this century is what is considered by some as Latin Music, Bachata, Salsa and Merengue. It is Latin but only a small part of it. The rest is relegated to Social Dancing and take your pick. Meanwhile we have to polish our social dancing to include the Waltz. The Waltz? Yes the Waltz, and the Foxtrot. There will be new beautiful music for these dances for the rest of the century. The Rumba and the Cha Cha Cha, also go together like coffee and cake and it is still considered by some as the best music ever written.

“Social dancers know that our lives may not all fit together,

but our souls knew how to dance.”

Then we will probably evolve a new Brazilian Samba which will have more basic steps using the Chasse. The Swing, is still in doubt. There are so many swing dances which will probably include the West Coast Swing since it is still gaining in popularity. The Tango, is on hold for the same reason, too many different versions and it is just a matter of which one. On Oahu, the American and the Filipino are leading with International coming up very nicely. I don't see any of the other Tangos even threatening get in.

1991 "I Don't Wanna Cry" by Mariah Carey

We are going to see more Latin music and dance in West Oahu. Most of it is fast action and good for the kids. The slower ones will be enjoyed by the more experienced dancers. Kapolei has "Sabado Con Sabor at Luibueno's on Saturdays, and Artisan After Hours Club on Sundays. Of course we should give Cholo's Homestyle Mexican credit for having live Latin music and dance on the North Shore now and then. With a bigger dance floor they will have it made.

"There may be two kinds of people in this world: those who believe there are two kinds
of people in this world and those who are smart enough to know better."

What Are Latin Rhythms?

The Social Dancers on Oahu have now fully realized that no one has a patent on any dance movement that we dance. Think that one over very carefully. What ever you can think up today has been done hundreds, perhaps thousands of times before. Yet Professionals are very jealous of having their material copied by others. "What fools these mortals be." Rudolph Labans is generally accepted as the first analyst of basic dance movements and all his results have been found in the ancient Olmec civilization records in Mexico, six thousand years ago.

“Social dancers - They dance and it is their heartbeat, their souls, their TRUE happiness.”

Latin Rhythms had a slow step and a quick step defined even then. a long time ago. How about a rock step or a chassé? Hey, from way back. Since there are over 600 documented steps in just about every dance out there, it should be natural that many can be transposed over to another dance. In the last century many professionals have taken steps from other Rhythm dances and fused them into your American Style Rumba. Why Not? However, there remains a difference in the basic Rumba in Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire? What is the Alternative Basic? Hey Hey.

1991 "Coming Out Of The Dark" by Gloria Estefan

Social Dancing is not International Style or governed by their rules. International is "to be seen" and as an exhibition dance it would very likely look beautiful. The spectators would be pleased and there is usually much hand clapping and with good reason. Hopefully we can distinguish between social and exhibition types and keep our social dancing environment happy. How about the alternate basic in Rumba? Away from either the Arthur Murray or the Fred Astaire and more like the basic on Mambo or Salsa. And these decisions will be made by the Social Dancers.

 “You will pardon us if we do not waste your time with too many explanations:

many dancers only hear what they want to hear.”

Evolving Very Nicely

I have tried to define Social Dance Oahu blog as my personal blog but it seems to be accepted as just another blog. Fine with me for each of the blogs seems to find themselves with their own readers. Again, the Information Contributors are the ones that will help to define each blog. We just have to be patient.  Who knows? With enough good Two Centers, the hits will run up ahead of all the other blogs and make it ready for independence.

“Social dancers know when both partners are in touch with their own sensuality,

the experience may be amazing because it is a harmonic dance of passion.”

What is Feedback? Nobody knows. Feedback could be the response or reaction of the reader/dancers after reading and understanding much of the blog. It enables the blogger to evaluate the effectiveness of the message. Without feedback, two way communication is either ineffective or incomplete. Feedback is the only way to gain reader's response and depending on the feedback, the blogger can modify any future content.

1991 "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson

I have been getting hints in writing on some nice guidelines for our bloggers, I may have to look into this when we get more bloggers. I am specially looking for those on the Waianae Coast and the North Shore. This is Social Dancing and most experienced dancers do things their way. It is only lately that it is being recognized as a most accepted way. The rigid styles will remain rigid in their syllabi, that is their style. Accepted yes, of course, but recognized as being a different style of dance and they can make their own rules.

"For many social dancers on Oahu, the problem is that we care

too much about people who don't give a shit about us."

Evolving Very Nicely

I have tried to define Social Dance Oahu blog as my personal blog but it seems to be accepted as just another blog. Fine with me for each of the blogs seems to find themselves with their own readers. Again, the Information Contributors are the ones that will help to define each blog. We just have to be patient.  Who knows? With enough good Two Centers, the hits will run up ahead of all the other blogs and make it ready for independence.

“Social dancers know when both partners are in touch with their own sensuality,

the experience may be amazing because it is a harmonic dance of passion.”

What is Feedback? Nobody knows. Feedback could be the response or reaction of the reader/dancers after reading and understanding much of the blog. It enables the blogger to evaluate the effectiveness of the message. Without feedback, two way communication is either ineffective or incomplete. Feedback is the only way to gain reader's response and depending on the feedback, the blogger can modify any future content.

1991 "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson

I have been getting hints in writing on some nice guidelines for our bloggers, I may have to look into this when we get more bloggers. I am specially looking for those on the Waianae Coast and the North Shore. This is Social Dancing and most experienced dancers do things their way. It is only lately that it is being recognized as a most accepted way. The rigid styles will remain rigid in their syllabi, that is their style. Accepted yes, of course, but recognized as being a different style of dance and they can make their own rules.

"For many social dancers on Oahu, the problem is that we care

too much about people who don't give a shit about us."

Waianae

It is said the Waianae Coast has the most beautiful beaches and the sweetest mangoes. The area is rich in scenic beauty, Hawaiian culture and history. With its pristine ocean, world famous surfing contests, white sandy beaches, captivating mountain ranges and ancient heiaus, the Waianae Coast is sure to warm anybody's heart. The problem in Honolulu has been that it has been considered "too far." Waianae residents say, "Too far from where?"  This blog still trying to communicate to Waianae Coast living, which is living closer to the spirit of true Hawaiiana.

Hawaiian men don't dance, do they?

But it is irrevocably tied up with the rest of Oahu and things like the bus can sure mess up the works. For those on the Waianae Coast less buses has always meant very uncomfortable riding. If they had replaced all #40 buses with articulated buses and plenty of them to minimize standing, you would have heard few complaints.

"Maui Waltz by Loyal Garner

In spite of the Fat Cats, at present, you can take the #93 express in Makaha at 6:00 am and be at Honolulu Hale at 7:30 am. The Rail Disaster will never beat that in a million years. Downtown does not have a clue, they just want to make sure you work and buy everything from Downtown business. It's the bread, Fred.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

There is plenty of room for low priced housing to get "residents" of the community, not long time visitors buying 10 million dollar homes. And with it, comes the building of a few business parks. Can you imagine getting home from work in 20 minutes? At present, with the Rail Catastrophe, many are figuring 14 hour work days. The Present Rail Party couldn't care less, they are making millions and millions of dollars daily on the "Gravy Train." This has also been referred to at Honolulu Hale, as "Easy Money." The original estimate went from 5 Billion to 7 to 9 and now at 12 Billion dollars. Will it go higher? You'd better believe it.

And of course, we need something else local, local, local on the Coast. A few good places for a happy hour. And there are many nice places now. Next the only distinguishing feature between a bar and a night club is the fact the a night club has a dance floor. Ten by Ten, Ha! but it is a dance floor, and it is a place that qualifies as a Night Club. So we will come inevitably to a few good Night Clubs along the Waianae Coast with good sized floors. Rome was not built in a day. Many lucky people will someday live in Paradise, and also work and play in Paradise.

“Social dancers, live your truth - express your love - share your enthusiasm.
Take action towards your dreams - walk your talk - dance and sing to your music.
Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”

Granada en Alhambra

A Dance Studio, Restaurant and Night Club.  It is actually in Alhambra, California. Whatta combo! Someday, we will have one and it will be built on Oahu, away from the Rail Tragedy, probably, in the Central Valley.

Great floors (yes, more than one floor) - great instructions with world class teachers - great prices (pay each time, buy punch card, or buy monthly cards w discount) - good variety of dance (check their website for schedule; minor changes monthly) - nicely designed lessons that include both technique and dance patterns - GREAT FELLOW STUDENTS.... the clientele here is really great; everyone is here for the dance! - Free party entry for students! - free parking.

"Abrazame" por Julio Iglesias

I could go on. but you get the drift. Salsa had been their main stay, but now shading off to the cha cha, bachata, tango, swing, ballroom, samba, rumba, Latin waltz, pilates, hip hop. And kids classes are available in group setting and are all worth trying - quinceneras and other dances, you may have to book private lessons.

"Social dancers believe that they are not in this world to live up to your expectations

and you’re not in this world to live up to theirs.”

Latin Rhythms in Hawaii

In 1832 Parker Ranch on the Big Island hired Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) to work on the ranch. They were expert horsemen with plenty of cattle ranching experience. They also trained his Hawaiian ranch workers to become cowboys. They knew horses and cattle but they also loved their booze and music. And believe me, it was not Hawaiian Music or American Music. They loved a different kind of rhythm. They married mostly Hawaiian women and the Mexicans disappeared. But much of the Mexican rhythms remained. Everyone got along and many asked them what language they were speaking. Very simple. Español, pronounce espaniol and it became easy in describing these people as Paniolos.

"Social dancers know that there is a need to find and sing their own song, to stretch their limbs and shake and move them in a dance to their favorite music.”

On November 22, 1900, the first group of Puerto Ricans consisting of 56 men, began their long journey to Maui, Hawaii. The trip was long and unpleasant. They first set sail from San Juan harbor to New Orleans, Louisiana. Once in New Orleans, they were boarded on a railroad train and sent to Port Los Angeles, California. From there they set sail aboard the "Rio de Janeiro" to Hawaii. According to the "Los Angeles Times" dated December 26, 1901, the Puerto Ricans were mistreated and starved by the shippers and the railroad company.

"Adoro" por Armando Manzanero

They arrived in Honolulu, on December 23, 1900, and were sent to work in one of the different plantations owned by the "Big Five" on Hawaii's biggest four islands. By October 17, 1901, 5,000 Puerto Rican men, women and children had made their new homes on the four islands. Records show that, in 1902, 34 plantations had 1,773 Puerto Ricans on their payrolls; 1,734 worked as field hands and another 39 were clerks or overseers (foremen). They loved their booze and they loved their music and their rhythms. Latin Rhythms anyone?

“Yesterday I was so clever, so I wanted to change the world.

Today I am a little more wise, so I am changing myself.”

Down Shift.

There will be a general slow down on all the blogs because the videos in Facebook are doing so good. Perhaps videos is all our reader/dancers need. So we should stand back, let it evolve to what ever they want. We should know by next month. And of course there may be other clubs that can use a blog. Right now there may be something in Makaha and something in Haliewa. Any body need our help, let us know.

 “Social dancers know that there is only one of them in all time

 and their dance expression can be very unique" 

Salsa, Bachata and Merengue moving solid the Latin Night Clubs on Oahu. All are referred to as Salsa. To each his own. Salsa started as a Fad dance and zoomed like rocket in many countries of the world. Lately it has been getting crowded with Bachata, - and Merengue will always be there.  I like to dance Merengue, single. The step pattern is very solid and I don't lose my balance unless I turn. I can enjoy moving to the music and it is a movement needed by my hips to keep walking.

1990 "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" by Stevie B

So right now we need people that may need us, and the Waianae Coast and the North Shore are waiting. Wai'anae is the main town on Oahu's leeward coast. This is where leeward residents used to stock up on food and other necessities. Wai'anae Mall has a drugstore, a bank and fast food eateries, food and clothing stores. Bars and evening night clubs. Wai'anae also has a post office, public library and high school. The just need another housing tract and a business park that would make living in paradise a fact.

"Life may be like a a camera, you focus on what's important to capture the good times.

You develop from the negative and if things don't work out, take another shot."

Videos

The videos on Facebook are hitting all the blogs. There are now 3 Billions videos posted on Facebook daily. That is Billion with a B not an M. So we must await for the slow down, then we can get our blogs going again. For now let us respect that they are doing a great job for their fellow dancers. And that is our intent, so let us not get in their way. Blogging is a little different.

"Anyone who says only sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

I have been coming across more and more advertising for using VOIP instead of your landline. But upon further investigation I find landlines are more reliable than VOIP, as evidenced by the fact that businesses have not reduced landline usage at all. For now, I will just wait it out.

VOIP suffers from multiple points of failure or degradation:

    Internet connection could be dropped (connection, modem or router)
    Power to the internet connection to the premises could be lost
    Computer reliability - Power to the computer
    Multiple processes running on the computer can interfere
    Congestion on the network
    Location of the computer in the house (if wireless)

 1991 "All The Man That I Need" by Whitney Houston

These blogs have never been properly defined simply because they were mainly me and that's no good. The blogs need other opinions to help define themselves. The blogs at six are on shaky ground for now, and the dance video fad on Oahu is slowing down. We must be patient and wait for a that one Guest Blogger that can see a dance group that can use a blog. One Guest Blogger will decide it. We are waiting for you. I will reiterate, the reader/dancers will make the decisions, this is a blog.

"Two dancing peanuts walked into a Waikiki Night Club.
And wow, one of them was really salted."

But there is hope yet,

This blog remains at the bottom of the pile. Plenty of dance places on Oahu, but all of them are making Big Bucks and they have beautiful web sites and plenty advertising. They do not need a blog, That is entirely their decision and they certainly have a right to it. So we can only go for the ones that may need us, we mustn't interfere.That new social dance club developing on the North Shore has their own ideas and they sure are entitled to use them.

“Social dancers believe that dance is not dance, if they don't do it from their hearts.”

Some potential information contributors have their own way of doing it and it must be respected. I do get comments with Anonymous and I will be accepting the good ones, but I will give them a pen name. We should respect everyone's opinions. But in the blogs they can be prominently displayed for all to see and read. And of course that leads to more readers and in return it should lead into more Guest Bloggers and more of our blogs will go independent. Perhaps we can continue the year in a more rightful area for each group.

1991 "The First Time" by Surface

Have we defined ours? Not really, but even though most "dancers" don't know it yet, we are in the process. It will be much easier when we get more Guest Bloggers, for then we will get different opinions. That'll do it. Ordinary Communication Media is one way. We are accustomed to whom it may concern: newsletters, email flyers, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV. They do their job but there ain't nuttin' like a blog. The feedback!

"To see what is in front of one's nose requires a constant struggle."

The movies have arrived.

The average hits per day on all the blogs have come to a stand still. There are many people taking movies and they are very nice and most are going into Facebook. So the readers, with good reason would rather see a movie in Facebook than see a write up of a social function with ordinary photos. I have always said, that I want to help, but I will not interfere. So we keep on looking for those that can appreciate an old fashioned blog, Kapolei all the way up to Makaha.

“To the social dancer, the body says what words cannot.

We believe that dance was the first art.”

Many changes have occurred in our best dance clubs on Oahu in the this century. Not many dancers have been aware but with the new blogs many eyes have being opened. And the oligarchies have realized that they cannot continue that way. We can only feel sorry for the Rootzi Tootzis. On the other hand I am seeing some "rootzi tootzi" attitudes developing in the club circuit too. It is a human failing and no hu hu, it just should be recognized and the appropriate acceptance made.

1990 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston
 

Rome was not built in a day. Blogs are more personal, direct and more current communication, They leave an opening for comments in each blog and they are receptive to more formal answers and opinions in the blog itself. Feedback is essential and the hits go through the ceiling. Real Social Media is much different than anything we have ever come across before. We will learn to handle it. For now movies have a place in Facebook. Let us not interfere.

"When a dance becomes universal because it is so real and so honest, it transcends

every difference that we have and reminds us we are one human family."

Social Dancers, again?

The entire island scene is adjusting itself to all the other groups and that is very nice. There were differences in dances from the very beginning. So did anyone have the supreme knowledge to tell you if you are dancing correctly. If you are dancing ballet, the master can tell you if you are doing it wrong in that discipline, not all dancing. On Oahu, we seem to be able to see the difference in the social dancers, the strict American Style and the even stricter International Style. Each one has its own rules and we, the social dancers are the lucky ones with the minimum of rules. Many social dancers are also in the Night Club circuit.

“Social dancers know that that being technically perfect isn’t good enough.

We need to know why we dance."

Then we have the Fad dances, and the Dance Teachers instigate LAGS. (the Latest And Greatest Syndrome.) And of course with the collusion of the students. Completely unrestricted and deluxed up to unbelievable levels. The Lambada was not even a Latin dance but it was hyped. Lasted over ten years and made billions and billions of dollars for the dance teachers. Salsa is slowing down definitely in New York and Bachata is coming on strong. In Hawaii we have Zouk, Kizomba and Zumba waiting in the wings. I am of the old social dance school. May I have this Rumba?

Social dancers are there to move to the music and it is quite simple. Standing a woman on her head is not social dancing. Throwing her over your shoulder is not social dancing. Those that do it and (let us face it,) they do a beautiful job is exhibition dancing. But they know and we know that it not social dancing. There have been accidents in Honolulu Night Clubs by fancy dance Salsa patterns. Nuff said, we are Social Dancers.

"Social dancers know that the song and dance does not stop us from dying. It just stops the fear of death swallowing us up while we were still alive."

Social Dancers, again?

The entire island scene is adjusting itself to all the other groups and that is very nice. There were differences in dances from the very beginning. So did anyone have the supreme knowledge to tell you if you are dancing correctly. If you are dancing ballet, the master can tell you if you are doing it wrong in that discipline, not all dancing. On Oahu, we seem to be able to see the difference in the social dancers, the strict American Style and the even stricter International Style. Each one has its own rules and we, the social dancers are the lucky ones with the minimum of rules. Many social dancers are also in the Night Club circuit.

“Social dancers know that that being technically perfect isn’t good enough.

We need to know why we dance."

Then we have the Fad dances, and the Dance Teachers instigate LAGS. (the Latest And Greatest Syndrome.) And of course with the collusion of the students. Completely unrestricted and deluxed up to unbelievable levels. The Lambada was not even a Latin dance but it was hyped. Lasted over ten years and made billions and billions of dollars for the dance teachers. Salsa is slowing down definitely in New York and Bachata is coming on strong. In Hawaii we have Zouk, Kizomba and Zumba waiting in the wings. I am of the old social dance school. May I have this Rumba?

Social dancers are there to move to the music and it is quite simple. Standing a woman on her head is not social dancing. Throwing her over your shoulder is not social dancing. Those that do it and (let us face it,) they do a beautiful job is exhibition dancing. But they know and we know that it not social dancing. There have been accidents in Honolulu Night Clubs by fancy dance Salsa patterns. Nuff said, we are Social Dancers.

"Social dancers know that the song and dance does not stop us from dying. It just stops the fear of death swallowing us up while we were still alive."