Dancing on Oahu

Before WWII, most social dancing was of different varieties of simple swing. During the war there was some introduction of other dances by the military coming from the Mainland. But it was not for a few years after the war that people began to indulge in Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing and maybe a little Rumba, maybe one studio, but most were street dancers. Then in 1955, Aiea Ballroom Dance Club appeared on the Dance Scene on Oahu. This was followed by the first spin off, Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association in 1959.

“Social dancers believe that a good song can make listeners dance.

A great song can also make them think.”

There were about 20 additional spin offs in the next forty years and some folded for many reasons. Ballroom dance on Oahu has been consistently transforming itself.  From its earliest form in the late twentieth century, ballroom has continued to grow and evolve into what it is today. International style came in to stay and they were very good in their exhibition dances. They really came into prominence with the completion of the famous Palladium. And they elevated themselves to much higher levels than the "Ala Wai Dancers."

A year later they began to use the term "Junk Dancer" to identify a dancer that was not dancing "correctly." They danced "correctly" according to their rules. And with good reason for they would be judged in a competition according to the rules. The fall from grace came with insisting that if you were not dancing "correctly" then by default, you were dancing "incorrectly." They may never realize that there are many dance forms and we can take our pick. Many even insisted that they were the real Ballroom Dancers because they danced in Ballrooms - and they were right.

“Social dancers may have survived. They are here, confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can find our way? Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax we I can take to our memories or fears?”

Part 2 in Town Dancer blog tomorrow.