Dancing

West Oahu is at present about 60-70 percent American Style of Dance, much higher than Honolulu. However many still have the idea that International is a much more advance dance culture than the American. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It is just a different style and lends itself very easily into high class exhibition and competition dancing. If you are interested in competitions this very well could be your cup of tea and no one should hold you back.

“And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the moon.”
― Edward Lear, The Owl and the Pussycat

But to dance for the pure joy of moving to the music of your choice is a horse of a different color. The Fox Trot box step in Rumba introduced by Arthur Murray, with a slow, quick, quick was changed by Fred Astaire to a quick, quick, slow and has always been the biggest drawback of American Rumba.

"Begin The Beguine" by Artie Shaw

Those that are using Mambo steps to Rumba music, with Rumba styling are the berries. And on the mainland they are accepting the rock step and slow in the basic as a very good alternative. Fortunately, in the Pacific, we have some of the best teachers of American Style of Dance right here on this Island of Oahu, let us appreciate them.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

Several years ago, they had a competition on the mainland between International and American and the American style won. Since then the International people have not been interested in another competition between them. The Internationals had advanced in the last century throughout the world but in this century they have shown drastic results of slowing down.

Pictured: Billy Bob, my niece, Yvonne and seated, my sister, Beatrice.

“Social dancers believe that without music and dance, life would be a mistake.”