Happy New Year

Nice quiet day and my disabilities are not bothering too much. 7 PM and I am having my first Rum and Coke, looking forward to all the happy times in 2019, for the dancers, all of them.

"Here's a toast to the future, a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. The past is a bright dream; may our friends remain faithful and clear. May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live! As we start the New Year, let's get down on our knees to thank God we're on our feet. Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better person." — Benjamin Franklin

“Auld Lang Syne” is the title and key phrase of a 1788 Scots poem by Robert Burns, typically sung on New Years Eve around the world. The phrase “auld lang syne” literally translates to “old long since,” and basically means, “days gone by.” The original, five-verse version of the poem essentially gets people singing, “lets drink to days gone by”—an appropriate toast for the New Year.

"Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought mind ..."

Review? 2018?

Most of us have had a good year and look forward to another good one in 2019. I personally lost a lot of my good health, but in my new residence in Mililani, I have also lost my depression. The blogs are still in process of evolving and getting to be known by the people in the Oahu dance scene and even in the neighbor islands. We will click this coming year when we begin to get the feedback. Those reader/dancers on Oahu willing to share their pearls of dance information with our fellow dancers.

“Whenever you smile, whenever you care, whenever you love, whenever you share,
your spirit will dance with joy because happiness is there.”

Essential questions to ask yourself before deciding to share. Take some time to think critically the benefit for our readers/dancers of photos of our friends, the photees, and the blog itself. Keeping in mind that two people in a photo are better than one. Three is even better than two. However 19 is not better than 18. The person taking the photos will make the ultimate decision. For better information, write things down, and sit on them for a little while before emailing them in.

"I Wish You A Merry Christmas" by José Feliciano

Man by Alexander Pope

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan

The proper study of Mankind is Man.

Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,

A Being darkly wise, and rudely great:

With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,

With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,

He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;

In doubt to deem himself a God, or Beast;

In doubt his mind or body to prefer;

Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;

Alike in ignorance, his reason such,

Whether he thinks too little, or too much;

Chaos of Thought and Passion, all confused;

Still by himself, abused or disabused;

Created half to rise and half to fall;

Great Lord of all things, yet a prey to all,

Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled;

The glory, jest and riddle of the world.

Review? 2018?

Most of us have had a good year and look forward to another good one in 2019. I personally lost a lot of my good health, but in my new residence in Mililani, I have also lost my depression. The blogs are still in process of evolving and getting to be known by the people in the Oahu dance scene and even in the neighbor islands. We will click this coming year when we begin to get the feedback. Those reader/dancers on Oahu willing to share their pearls of dance information with our fellow dancers.

“Whenever you smile, whenever you care, whenever you love, whenever you share,
your spirit will dance with joy because happiness is there.”

Essential questions to ask yourself before deciding to share. Take some time to think critically the benefit for our readers/dancers of photos of our friends, the photees, and the blog itself. Keeping in mind that two people in a photo are better than one. Three is even better than two. However 19 is not better than 18. The person taking the photos will make the ultimate decision. For better information, write things down, and sit on them for a little while before emailing them in.

"I Wish You A Merry Christmas" by José Feliciano

Man by Alexander Pope

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan

The proper study of Mankind is Man.

Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,

A Being darkly wise, and rudely great:

With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,

With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,

He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;

In doubt to deem himself a God, or Beast;

In doubt his mind or body to prefer;

Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;

Alike in ignorance, his reason such,

Whether he thinks too little, or too much;

Chaos of Thought and Passion, all confused;

Still by himself, abused or disabused;

Created half to rise and half to fall;

Great Lord of all things, yet a prey to all,

Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled;

The glory, jest and riddle of the world.

Year Ending

The review of the social dance scene can start early for 2019. However most what we will cover this coming year is already well understood by the intermediate social dancers. Footwork will sometimes require legwork too. This refers to the rise and fall of the feet, indicating which part of the foot is to be in contact with the floor on each step or part step; i.e. ball, heel, inside of foot etc. Specially important in the dances which are "to be seen," and specially those that are to be judged. That, of course, stands to a very good reason.

“Social dancers begin each dance the same way to the music and they want to make the moments in the movements important, vital, and worth living."

This is of little importance in the Social Dancing that is done for the pure enjoyment of moving the body to the music. And they can dance better to music that they like, than one that just has the beat. The feet land in the most comfortable and the most naturally balanced position. Most people can allow themselves to let go and if they have the rhythm, that's all they need. And the styling in the Syllabi of the different styles will differ among the large group of dancers on Oahu.

 "Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Never did find out who won.

Regarding the worry that some of these very good dancers are watching you and are judging and critical, I have bad news and I have good news: - 1) The bad news is that unless you're a really super dancer, they're not watching you. You're being ignored. - 2) The good news is that unless you're a really super dancer, they're not watching you. You're being ignored. - 3) And if you are a superdancer, and they're watching you with a frown on their faces, it's probably because they envy you, and also they're hard at work trying to steal your material.

"Blogger's Law #48D: Everything depends, nothing is always,
and everything is sometimes."

2018 Fading

Another year and we have had a nice Dance game on the island of Oahu. And 2019 offers up a very familiar formula. At first glance the social dancing will be solidifying and holding on to the oldies but goodies songs. The more experienced dancers have over 500 songs that they consider classic. Most of us, experience social dancers are not as impressed with this year’s mix of new stuff but then again we are a year older and drifting further and further away from the age of the target audience. The ones in the thirties and forties age group will crave something a little different to boogie to, and the good news is that there will be new songs available for the coming year.

"Dance Fever: A benign illness that hits most every social dancer in varying degrees.
Just gotta dance and there is no known cure except to just dance it out."

Social Dance is always more forgiving than other dance Styles of dance or particular dances which seem to just come and go. It is reasonably easy to dance well, and remains social dancing. If you are okay it will give you a, well, OK. If you manage to do more moves (and you must be careful here) than the regular dancer you will get a good, an excellent or a superstar. After each dance social the dancer can feel it, they did good or not so good. While this may not be of interest to many, managing to enjoy the dancing that you danced is something to have achieved.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

My Niece Yvonne and Relatives.

At the end of the year, our dancing people are doing alright and have obviously decided not to tamper too much with a well tried formula. The social dancers are doing a little more night clubbing and our night club dancers are doing a little more social dance clubbing which is just fine for the whole enchilada. The entire personalized feature sets up an attempt to improve the dancer's experience. We are headed for a good year.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God,

which is why we call it the present.”

Christmas in California

Among Tokyo's bustling streets, there has been an underground collection of audiophile venues, sound-obsessed restaurants and clubs building for years. Following in the footsteps of that model, this year some new hi-fi bars have opened in Honolulu from some notable members of the city's music scene. More emphasis on the music this Christmas Season leads to more wishes of moving the body to this beautiful music. The North Shore is getting ready for it.

"Jingle Bells"

"From my family to yours, have a magical, marvelous, and Merry Christmas!"

Lynette, Ronald, Lia, David and Denise

This year more people seem to realize that Social Ballroom Dance can be a great work out. They can burn fat, lose weight and increase metabolism. Social dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity that can be fun and in just thirty minutes of dance, you can burn between 200-400 calories. That’s roughly the same amount as running or cycling! Burning an extra 300 calories a day can help you lose between ½-1 pound a week (and THAT can add up quickly)

"The First Noel"

My sister Bea in the center

In fact, a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that dance as exercise is just as effective for weight loss as cycling and jogging. Regular dance lessons along with your weekly dance party is also an excellent form of maintenance exercise, to stay healthy and toned once you’ve reached your goal weight. And since social dancing is so much fun on Oahu, you’re getting these benefits without feeling like you’re working out!

"O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Three most likely to evolve the "dance floor" in West Oahu are Just Tacos in Mililani, Cholo's Homestyle Mexican on the North Shore and Tacos and More on the Waianae Coast. All have had music and people like that. However we are talking dance and you need a "dance floor" A ten by ten is not a Dance Floor. Merry Christmas to everyone, we are going to have good year.

"Christmas can be many things or it may be a few, but all we wish

on this holiday is the best for you. ~ Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year when we celebrate faith, family, and the tradition of giving gifts and sending greeting cards. Sending out Christmas greetings is an easy way to reach friends, family, and even old acquaintances with the warmth and love of Christmas spirit. Another way is using the Internet in Email, Web and Blog sites. It’s a great opportunity to let your reader/dancers know you care about them. It is also an appropriate way to share the spirit of the season with the entire island of Oahu.

"May the blessings and happiness of Christmas season be yours
May the next year be better and happier - Happy Holidays!"

My Niece Yvonne and her son Scotty.

Our readers do not only read. Every opportunity to dance, whether during a lesson or a social event, whether with their significant other or a new dance partner, helps to improve their comfort level, confidence and communication skills on the dance floor.  As their dance technique improves, they feel more at ease with other people. Their sense of accomplishment, motivation and confidence continues to increase. And even better - they will notice these new attributes taking root in other areas of their lives as well.

"Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly"

Just part of the family

In the past few years, research has found that ballroom dancing improves mental acuity throughout a dancer’s life. Not only that, there are also substantial benefits to those who start to social dance as adults. Trump never danced? Heh heh,

"May this festive season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come
true, and may you feel this happiness all year round. ~ Merry Christmas!"

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year when we celebrate faith, family, and the tradition of giving gifts and sending greeting cards. Sending out Christmas greetings is an easy way to reach friends, family, and even old acquaintances with the warmth and love of Christmas spirit. Another way is using the Internet in Email, Web and Blog sites. It’s a great opportunity to let your reader/dancers know you care about them. It is also an appropriate way to share the spirit of the season with the entire island of Oahu.

"May the blessings and happiness of Christmas season be yours
May the next year be better and happier - Happy Holidays!"

My Niece Yvonne and her son Scotty.

Our readers do not only read. Every opportunity to dance, whether during a lesson or a social event, whether with their significant other or a new dance partner, helps to improve their comfort level, confidence and communication skills on the dance floor.  As their dance technique improves, they feel more at ease with other people. Their sense of accomplishment, motivation and confidence continues to increase. And even better - they will notice these new attributes taking root in other areas of their lives as well.

"Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly"

Just part of the family

In the past few years, research has found that ballroom dancing improves mental acuity throughout a dancer’s life. Not only that, there are also substantial benefits to those who start to social dance as adults. Trump never danced? Heh heh,

"May this festive season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come
true, and may you feel this happiness all year round. ~ Merry Christmas!"

Merry Christmas

It’s that time of year again! Time for twinkling lights, festive carols, and merry celebrations. And time for spreading holiday cheer. A big Christmas party at Ron's home in California on Saturday night. Not much news but I did get some fancy collages from my niece Yvonne. I hope somebody sends me some news and pictures of the party.  

Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes

In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.

Somewhere in California

Here on Oahu, there are dances all over the place and with plenty of dancers there. So everyone is having a good time and some are really thinking of what makes the 25th such a great day.

"Silent Night"

Somewhere in California

"Joy To The World"

Great for all ages on Oahu, dance is a fun activity for everyone specially at year's end and it’s such an effective form of exercise. At all dance functions on Oahu, dancers are helping dancers of all age groups, physical abilities and skill levels. Everyone sets up their own dance program that’s comfortable yet challenging.

"Eat, Drink, Be Merry. Repeat as needed…and have an awesome holiday!"

Dancing?

Social ballroom dancing is that perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation that complements your life on Oahu. It’s a great workout; has documented physical and mental health benefits; can enhance your social life and self-confidence; reduces stress and depression; promotes relaxation; is a wonderful outlet for self-expression and creativity; and it’s FUN!! With all these reasons to start dancing and keep on dancing – we challenge you to find a good reason NOT to.

“Social dancers believe that in dance, there is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening

that is translated through them from the music to the body movement."

Honolulu has the most diversified dancing on this Island. However with the Rail Disaster in progress people are looking for social dancing in West Oahu. Predominately in the Kapolei area. But there will be a need on the Waianae Coast and the North Shore. I happen to live in Mililani in the Central Valley, so I accept where I am at. Kapolei and the North Shore are easier for me than Waianae. Someday they will have a highway around the Island. Progress is slow in some places. Most islands in the Pacific have just evolved and the newer ones will have a road around the island near the shore.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

We never found out, who was it?

With Christmas and a New Year approaching we can think a little bit about the future. If we can stop the Rail, that would be a big advance for this Island. It is being built for money. Cayetano had the bus structure planned almost perfect but the million dollars in lies paid off for Caldwell supporters. No one mentions Rapid Transit any more, (remember that?) Right now you can get the #93 bus in Waianae at 6 am and get to Honolulu Hale by 7:30 am. You ain't going to beat that when they force you to take the Rail. No way. An Electric Vehicle? Now your talking.

"Social ballroom dancers believe that dance hangs in the air - alive, with one side of it music, the other side body movement. The dancer's aim is to make them equal.”

Night Clubbing Oahu

We are getting a very good night club scene on Oahu. I haven't been able to get around much in the last two years due to my physical deficiencies, change of residence and not making the right connections. Most clubs have beautiful web sites but limited in direct contact. Any information that is Emailed to me may be posted. I may get many good enough to blog'em. After some research , I have tracked down some great dance floors that don’t require absurd lines or begging someone to shell out for bottle service.

Social dancers believe that they may defeat all negativity

by the Creative Expression of dancing.”

The theme (and crowd) at a few might change every night, but most have regular set ups with dependable dance floors. The younger crowd will go for the DJ music which usually more up to date. The dancing may be a symposium of middle school-level grinding and the music is non-stop. The more experienced dancers will go for the live bands which will usually have a playlist with a large portion of the "oldies but goodies." How about a beautiful Rumba?

"From Here To Eternity" by Englebert Humperdinck

And with some intermission time with opportunity to socialize with their fellow dancers, they may treat these clubs like a church - sacrilegious. And an average night can suddenly become unexpectedly great. A dancing night club on the Waianae Coast and one on the North Shore? And a ten by ten dance floor is not a dance floor. Most akamai owners already know and should make the proper adjustments that accept the fact that social dancers drink in a more mature manner. They will provide more chopstick snacks and even a Juice Bar. West Oahu?

“Every social dancer chooses how much truth they can stand.”

The Latest

Social dancing has evolved over the years into what it is now. The music? Of course, and learning to move to the music and lead and follow. Food and talk story has also been part and parcel of social dancing. Many of us are satisfied with achieving a simple routine of steps and just enjoy the music and then enjoy the rest of it which is the socializing along with the dining. As we progress throughout the years many of us just naturally want to learn more and we gradually phase over into the intermediate levels. There are approximately 30 patterns in each type of dance for anyone to dance it on a social level.

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique,
they are great because of their passion. ” ― Martha Graham

Any more new movements are in the advanced levels of the dance and for OP (other people) No hu hu, anyone should be able to decide how they want to dance. Many in this more advance group can dance socially but they may become more interested in the "to be seen" categories where they may be exhibition and/or competitive dancers. If there are 700 documented steps in Salsa you can guess how many are in this advance group. But we should respect their wishes and the fact that they may dance "correctly" and they may insist that they are a quite different group. They are right and we should make an effort not to bother them.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

We can go on our merry way doing our own thing. This is not from a thorough, complete, detailed study of the dance or the social structure of these groups. It is closer to an opinion based on 40 years of experience on this island and my small statistical analysis. Others may differ? I do not lay down the laws for anyone. Whatever groups they belong to, they could very easily get their point across in these blogs. It is not like they don't have a choice. They all have two choices, they can take it or leave it. Oh?

“In dance blogging, much of what is being said has not mattered,

and much of what has mattered has not be said.” 

The Latest

Social dancing has evolved over the years into what it is now. The music? Of course, and learning to move to the music and lead and follow. Food and talk story has also been part and parcel of social dancing. Many of us are satisfied with achieving a simple routine of steps and just enjoy the music and then enjoy the rest of it which is the socializing along with the dining. As we progress throughout the years many of us just naturally want to learn more and we gradually phase over into the intermediate levels. There are approximately 30 patterns in each type of dance for anyone to dance it on a social level.

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique,
they are great because of their passion. ” ― Martha Graham

Any more new movements are in the advanced levels of the dance and for OP (other people) No hu hu, anyone should be able to decide how they want to dance. Many in this more advance group can dance socially but they may become more interested in the "to be seen" categories where they may be exhibition and/or competitive dancers. If there are 700 documented steps in Salsa you can guess how many are in this advance group. But we should respect their wishes and the fact that they may dance "correctly" and they may insist that they are a quite different group. They are right and we should make an effort not to bother them.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

We can go on our merry way doing our own thing. This is not from a thorough, complete, detailed study of the dance or the social structure of these groups. It is closer to an opinion based on 40 years of experience on this island and my small statistical analysis. Others may differ? I do not lay down the laws for anyone. Whatever groups they belong to, they could very easily get their point across in these blogs. It is not like they don't have a choice. They all have two choices, they can take it or leave it. Oh?

“In dance blogging, much of what is being said has not mattered,

and much of what has mattered has not be said.” 

The Rock Step

This was invented about 10 thousand years ago. 9 thousand? I will not argue the point. Basically it is two changes of weight, each in the opposite direction and the first part of the rock is called the break. It is on record that it is done in only 650 different dances. (670 ?) Regularly you can do the rock step eight different ways depending on the break. You can break forward on the left or on the right foot. You can break back on the left or right foot. You can also break to the right on the right foot or to the left on your left foot, in a side rock. Half of these are the regular normal ways.

“Social dancers believe that they must dance to the music,
the music of their souls!”

The other half are "unnatural" steps and there are even more complicated ways strictly for show. In most dances you break in a complementary fashion. The man breaks forward on his left foot. The lady breaks backward on her right foot. Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Mambo, Beguine, Calypso and perhaps another couple hundred dances can be good examples, in the “natural” step rhythms. Moreover, they are normally programmed so that the man breaks forward on his left foot and breaks back on his right foot. Any other way can be done but is considered “an unnatural” step.

"Tangerine" by Jimmy Dorsey

As we approach the end of the year, many things are developing in the Social Dance field. We, the social dancers are definitely coming into our own in the entire state of Hawaii. We, the ones who have become accustomed to dancing in malls, school cafeterias, district parks, community centers and night clubs. We seem to accept that we can do it very well and have a very enjoyable evening with just 30 or less steps in basic movements in each dance. You want more? No hu hu - up to you.

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you've never been hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.”

The Latin Scene

It is now pretty conclusive that the population of Hawaii consists of over 10 percent Latinos. That means well over 100,000 Latinos on these Islands. But of course, Latinos are not just Latinos. The Puerto Ricans remain the biggest group, 4% or 40,000 and have controlled most of the Latino influence on these Islands for a century. Most Mexicans in Hawaii were men and imported into the Big Island almost two hundred years ago. Hawaii's cowboys became known as Paniolo, a corruption of español, the language the vaqueros spoke.

“Social dancers believe that equality is not a concept. It's not something

we should be striving for. It's a necessity."

From them evolved the Paniolo traditions of Hawaii and with total intermarriage with local women they have been lost as a Mexican entity.The term still refers to cowboys working in the Islands and to the culture their lifestyle spawned. Others have immigrated from the mainland to the other islands and they have since evolve to about 3% or 30,000 and are rapidly establishing their own traditions of music and dance in the Islands. Unfortunately or fortunately as the case may be, Mexico is a large country and the diversity of music and dance is immense.

"I Melt With You" by Modern English  (1982)

Throughout the Islands the original types of Latin dances in the disciplines have been thoroughly established in our dance world. Bachata, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Tango, and Waltz are in our Latin Music and Dance scene. Most of the Salsa scene mostly includes Bachata and Merengue, all dances that have originated in the Caribbean. There have been changes and Hawaii is no stranger to that. There may be a scarcity of Waltz in the Caribbean but some of the most famous Waltzes in the world were composed in the rest of Latin America.

 “Social dancers know that dancing may be spiritual and it is personal. Some people

look at a good social dancer in a Club and say, What a total show-off.

Social dancers are immune to all this."

West Oahu is rolling.

From Dancing USA,
Rock "n" Roll was in the early stages in 1959 when a touring group of fledgling musicians set out to set the world on fire with their music. In 1959, the troupe was on it’s fourth national tour. They filled the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa with hundreds of fans. The next morning Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson chartered a plane to Fargo, Minnesota. The weather was bad but they took the chance.

“Social dancers believe that dance should comfort the disturbed and
understand that it will probably disturb the comfortable.”

Soon after takeoff, late at night and in poor, wintry weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the light aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, which subsequently crashed into a cornfield. Everyone on board was killed. The event has since been mentioned in various songs and films. A number of monuments have been erected at the crash site and in Clear Lake, where an annual memorial concert is also held at the Surf Ballroom, the venue that hosted the artists' last performance.

 "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" by Poison  (1988)

Many national brand musicians must travel far to please their fans. This is usually by plane because of the distance. It much safer now than 50 years ago but they can still crash. Fortunately most of "our musicians" on Oahu all live and play here. The only danger is a car accident and we are fortunate to have some of the best musicians in the Pacific. The Night Club scene is getting larger now that somebody knows that dancers are not drunks. Now how you gonna handle that?

“Social dancers know that there is a need to find and sing our own song, to stretch our limbs and shake them in a dance so wild that nothing can roost there.” 

West Oahu is rolling.

From Dancing USA,
Rock "n" Roll was in the early stages in 1959 when a touring group of fledgling musicians set out to set the world on fire with their music. In 1959, the troupe was on it’s fourth national tour. They filled the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa with hundreds of fans. The next morning Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson chartered a plane to Fargo, Minnesota. The weather was bad but they took the chance.

“Social dancers believe that dance should comfort the disturbed and
understand that it will probably disturb the comfortable.”

Soon after takeoff, late at night and in poor, wintry weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the light aircraft, a Beechcraft Bonanza, which subsequently crashed into a cornfield. Everyone on board was killed. The event has since been mentioned in various songs and films. A number of monuments have been erected at the crash site and in Clear Lake, where an annual memorial concert is also held at the Surf Ballroom, the venue that hosted the artists' last performance.

 "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" by Poison  (1988)

Many national brand musicians must travel far to please their fans. This is usually by plane because of the distance. It much safer now than 50 years ago but they can still crash. Fortunately most of "our musicians" on Oahu all live and play here. The only danger is a car accident and we are fortunate to have some of the best musicians in the Pacific. The Night Club scene is getting larger now that somebody knows that dancers are not drunks. Now how you gonna handle that?

“Social dancers know that there is a need to find and sing our own song, to stretch our limbs and shake them in a dance so wild that nothing can roost there.”