El Juli

I am still having mixed feelings on this because I grew up with such great respect for bullfighters. But now they are convincing me somewhat differently, even though I still respect it. Bullfighting is a deeply controversial spectacle that is called a "fine art" by its supporters and a "blood sport" by its critics. I believe it will change.

Paso Doble Anyone? - The Moment of Truth

In Haro, a small city in Spain. Eighteen year old (2001) Julian Lopez Escobar (El Juli) inches slowly, carefully towards the bull, unmindful of his chest covered with blood from letting the bull get too close as it goes by.

The boy matador’s face is filled with tenderness as though approaching a child who has hidden under a table in tears: gentle, coaxing, head tilted to one side. The bull is heaving for breath and drops its head in a gesture that appears to say: I understand. Proceed. El Juli draws back his sword and calls one last time, “VENGA, TORO!”

The bull charges, and the young matador strikes faster than a cobra — there is a flash of gold, and then he spins away graceful as a ballet dancer and opens his arms to his fans. His sword is buried in the back of the bull’s neck down into its heart. The bull buckles into the ground slowly in death.

Cheers, the waving of handkerchiefs (symbolizing the audience’s respect,) the cascade of flowers (expressions of their love), the awarding of the bull’s ears to the smiling matador (to honor the boy’s excellence.) Finally El Juli is carried in triumph from the bullring on the shoulders of the very strongest men of Haro, lifted like a true hero.

"Every person that got to where they are,
had to begin from where they were."

Have a happy dancing day.

"Social Dancers know that they will meet thousands of other people
just like themselves on the Island of Oahu.

Getting NIght Clubs

Social dancers have a special enjoyment of leaving the comforts of their own apartments and going to a NIght Club. Of course they are going to live or die by how much they dig the DJ and the people they are going to see. While this is obviously true of anyone, at least if they are social dancers and they go to their favorite club, they will probably enjoy dancing to the nice music and talking to all their fellow dancers in the area.  And they know they are not in a club for kids, of being in a big room with flashing lights where they can't hear themselves think let alone talk to their mates.

"Social dancers believe that the dance experience anywhere can become literally

life-changing and above all, we come out of our comfort zones."

Photos are our prime need at the moment, they are interesting because they are our fellow dancers, friends and relatives. I read the prices on the mainland. Single persons are dime a dozen and couples are at least a quarter. Now you get four or five people, at least a thousand. And 19 is definitely not better than 18. Anyone can take it from there and make their own decisions. We have not engraved anything on stone.

"Night And Day" by Jimmy Borges

Golden Anniversary Dance Next Month in May.

"Social Dancers generally accept that pastime or recreation are apt descriptions

for social dancing. They are still leery that art and/or sport are

more comprehensive and accurate descriptors."

Coming Back Up

As bad as it looks it is still not that bad. I had over diluted the hits by having too many blogs for the dance scene on Oahu. But I gradually deleted the ones that just didn't cut it. And those were the ones that could not get out of single average hits per day. And this blogging has been mostly me, which means we need much more help to develop these blogs. Gratefully we are realizing that we are getting some feedback and the hits show it. The information contributors are the ones that will make it in spite of Facebook.

"Social dancers know that dancing brings out realization and self-expression."

In the blogging  I have done what is known in Blogging Circles, as S.O.S. (same old shit)  Very good if you are famous in some branch of knowledge. If I write blue on Monday and I write blue on Wednesday and I write blue on Friday, that is SOS. The following Monday, you write green, that is not SOS, Paul calls Mary. Mary calls Robert and Robert calls Miriam etc. They inform each other that it is not SOS and the hits go through the ceiling. The blog has really become for the dancers.

"Sweet Someone" by Don Ho

Everyone has an opinion. We have written before, that they are like noses, everyone has one. And they are all different. If you have your favorite pictures, they are also unique and perfect for this blog. We are still in the process of developing this entire enchilada. My first goal is, of course, making one of our blogs independent from the creator (c'est moi.) To see them rack up the hits and no one can catch them, and to know that "they" did it on their own.

 "Social dancers believe that the Truth may prove illusive
because many of us prefer lies."

May Looking Good

We are headed for lively month in May. Maypole anyone? There is the famous Cinco De Mayo Fiesta on the fifth. Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club will have their 50th Anniversary Dance at Helemano Plantation on May 11th. Then the oldest dance club on Oahu, the Aiea Ballroom Dance Association will have their 64th Anniversary Dance at the famous Palladium. And the other goodies in our social scene will be available in all of Oahu.

"Social dancers know that the more they dance, the more

they would want to dance. That is dance’s nature."

The Cha Cha Cha is still very popular with the social dancers on Oahu. It is destined to be used in the entire century. There have been many good reasons for Cha Cha Cha since the beginning. It was danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953. It was almost immediately accepted in Mexico City. And by the end of the fifties the Cha Cha Cha was being danced in Europe and Asia.

 

"Ay Morena" by Miami Latin

 

 

But generally this rhythm was developed from the Mambo by a syncopation of the fourth beat. And it began to be used in the slower Mambos using the chassé instead of the slow step. This new dance was accented on the second beat and had a split fourth beat, To dance it one broke (rock step) on the second beat, not the first. Back on the rock step on three and then the chassé on the 4 and 1. Later in the US, when the music was accented on the one, you broke on the one. Simple?

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than
sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

 

May Looking Good

We are headed for lively month in May. Maypole anyone? There is the famous Cinco De Mayo Fiesta on the fifth. Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club will have their 50th Anniversary Dance at Helemano Plantation on May 11th. Then the oldest dance club on Oahu, the Aiea Ballroom Dance Association will have their 64th Anniversary Dance at the famous Palladium. And the other goodies in our social scene will be available in all of Oahu.

"Social dancers know that the more they dance, the more

they would want to dance. That is dance’s nature."

The Cha Cha Cha is still very popular with the social dancers on Oahu. It is destined to be used in the entire century. There have been many good reasons for Cha Cha Cha since the beginning. It was danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953. It was almost immediately accepted in Mexico City. And by the end of the fifties the Cha Cha Cha was being danced in Europe and Asia.

 

"Ay Morena" by Miami Latin

 

 

But generally this rhythm was developed from the Mambo by a syncopation of the fourth beat. And it began to be used in the slower Mambos using the chassé instead of the slow step. This new dance was accented on the second beat and had a split fourth beat, To dance it one broke (rock step) on the second beat, not the first. Back on the rock step on three and then the chassé on the 4 and 1. Later in the US, when the music was accented on the one, you broke on the one. Simple?

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than
sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

 

Wot's Doin'?

Things are running smoothly but going up too slow. Of course, it seems as though about ten blogs is enough for Oahu. I did not know and neither did anyone else at the time and I ran it up to eleven dance blogs. Over diluted the readership and I began to delete blogs. And then of course, our main competitors are the Big Micros, Twitter, Facebook and the rest. Which are just fine if you are looking US and World recognition. We are just Oahu.

"Rumba is the most delightful way to move to Rumba music. which is about the best music the world will ever witness." ~Mikhail Baryshnikov (he knows a little about dancing.)

La Rumba, an old stand by and used every day by the Social Dancers on Oahu. The DJs are very aware of the proper music for the dancers. Most Rumba danced on Oahu is based on the American style of dance. Of course, there are few added local moves, a  few from the Philippines and a few from the International. These are Social Dancers. Over three hundred years ago, sailors traveling by boat up and down the Caribbean, named the dance "Rumba" when there were so many different styles of similar music and dance on each island. But this is what we got now and we are lucky.

"Besame Mucho" por Rene Touzet

In discussing the dance from one to another, they would use, "por ese rumbo" - in that direction, - li dat, - da kine. Several decades passed and danza is a feminine word - La Danza. The word Rumbo is masculine, but somewhere along the line, the name of the dance became La Rumba, feminine. Of course this was only a distinction for the Spanish. but they covered more islands.and did more than anyone else to unify the Caribbean music and dance. We can suppose that the Pirates did too.

"Social dancers believe that the opposite of a correct statement is a false statement.
But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth."

Cinco De Mayo coming up

Just got the True Story from Fox News about the Mexican Holiday, Cinco De Mayo. They claim that Mexican hogwash about the Battle Of Puebla is Fake News. The real story is that the Mexicans learned to like the Mayonnaise from the United States. And in May of 1862. A ship sailed from New Orleans with a load of Mayonnaise with destination Mexico. Unfortunately it got caught in a bad storm in the Caribbean and sank on May 5th, 1862. It shocked the entire country of Mexico and they declared a national holiday and called it "Sinko De Mayo."

"Social dancers believe that Dancers are more open in communications
with strangers, which why we have such nice socials."

Jarabe Tapatío, often referred to as the Mexican hat dance, is the national dance of Mexico. If is of Mexican origin, performed by a couple and consisting of nine figures and melodies, in which the partners often dance facing each other but not touching. It originated as a courtship dance in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in the 1800s, of Indian origins but many of its elements can be traced back to Spanish influence. Female dancers traditionally wear a china poblana (Indian Dressy) outfit, while the male dancers dress as charros.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Spain's capital city of Madrid has officially elevated bullfighting to the status of a protected art form, as matadors, philosophers and politicians become embroiled in a furious dispute over the country's bloody but emblematic sport. Madrid's local government has declared it a protected piece of the region's cultural heritage. It is an art-form that deserves to be protected and that has been part of Mediterranean and Spanish culture since time immemorial, I am of the old school, but I am listening. In Mexico it has shrunk but I can remember the heroic occasions.

"For many of us, the searchers of truth, we will not receive the old

because it is old, or reject the new because it is new."

 

Socials

As we approach the end of this month it has become clearer that we are at point of diminishing returns, The hits will continue to rise but very slowly we gave gotten rid of most of the scam spam robot hits. It is becoming easier to distinguish between a terrific dance Blog or just a mediocre one. They are separating a lot more. One thing is certain the reader/dancers will make the final decisions.

"Social dancers believe that dance brings out the best in all of us,

it uplifts a mood to some other level."

Finally got my memory card photos out where I can use them. A little late for fans of Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club who had their Easter social on Saturday. But if may look nice for the readers of this blog and give them an ideas how their party could be shared with the readers of any blog.
 

"It's so nice to have someone to share the Love of dancing. Thank you for letting the
world know that staying young and healthy is Ballroom dancing.
Keep up this awesome work."  Jesse and Georgie

"Social dancers enjoy spreading the love of dance, to share the magic
with a master – and a beginner. To share magic with their
friends and those they don’t know well."

WBDC part 2

Still cannot get the photos from my memory card because the computer I have, has no slot for the memory card.  I am trying to get some neighbor to use their computer and save to my USB drive and then I can use it. I want to stay in Windows 7 because I know it but I need help. And I don't have that much time left. Meanwhile, we can get going with the rest of the photos sent by Maile.

This is a blog and personal opinions are gratefully accepted. Fortunately, I am getting a few people to say something just to share with our fellow dancers. And let me also tell you, I try to dance and my partners understand that I may get dizzy I have to sit back down. But it is just terrific to be able to move to music for just a little while, and I gratefully thank the ladies.

"We enjoy the dancing and coverage by the blog. Dancing is a great way

to meet people and have a good time." Jim A.

 "Wonderful people - wonderful music and the best pot luck ever.

 Love WBDC" Rosa

The goodies at the table are just about the best on this island. I personally know that the kau kau at Wahiawa is just about the best in this whole wide world. They had line dancing too which is always a nice break of regular dancing. Terrific kokua on taking photos with my camera and Mahalo to all. My apologies for my computer.

"It's so nice to have someone to share the Love of dancing. Thank you for letting the
world know that staying young and healthy is Ballroom dancing.
Keep up this awesome work."  Jesse and Georgie

WBDC part 2

Still cannot get the photos from my memory card because the computer I have, has no slot for the memory card.  I am trying to get some neighbor to use their computer and save to my USB drive and then I can use it. I want to stay in Windows 7 because I know it but I need help. And I don't have that much time left. Meanwhile, we can get going with the rest of the photos sent by Maile.

This is a blog and personal opinions are gratefully accepted. Fortunately, I am getting a few people to say something just to share with our fellow dancers. And let me also tell you, I try to dance and my partners understand that I may get dizzy I have to sit back down. But it is just terrific to be able to move to music for just a little while, and I gratefully thank the ladies.

"We enjoy the dancing and coverage by the blog. Dancing is a great way

to meet people and have a good time." Jim A.

 "Wonderful people - wonderful music and the best pot luck ever.

 Love WBDC" Rosa

The goodies at the table are just about the best on this island. I personally know that the kau kau at Wahiawa is just about the best in this whole wide world. They had line dancing too which is always a nice break of regular dancing. Terrific kokua on taking photos with my camera and Mahalo to all. My apologies for my computer.

"It's so nice to have someone to share the Love of dancing. Thank you for letting the
world know that staying young and healthy is Ballroom dancing.
Keep up this awesome work."  Jesse and Georgie

Holiday Coming Up

We had a good dance party Saturday night in Wahiawa and the blog is coming when I get my computer running good. Also a  good Annual Holiday on Oahu.

Cinco de Mayo is annually observed on May 5. It celebrates the defeat of the French army during the Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla) in Mexico on May 5, 1862. It is not to be confused with Mexico's Independence Day. On Oahu we can dance up a storm on the Holiday.

Email from my niece Yvonne in California:

"Hello there Uncle Joe. Easter Celebration at Mothers."

"Jarabe Tapatio"

Email from Yvonne: Update on Billy Bob. Last year it was his bladder cancer .. this year he is in the hospital since Thursday.. having kidney problems. Blood Transfusions.. Frozen Plasma .. the works ..!!! Oh My God.

 (I know everyone is praying for him.)

Wahiawa Part One

Wow, Terrific Day. I could feel myself losing any depression that I have had for awhile. Began my preparations after noon. Shower, and get everything I had to take in order to do what I had to do. The Handi Van was there promptly at 5:30 pm according to their schedule. I was hoping that he was late but no luck. I got to the Wahiawa Recreation Center at 5.50 pm and nobody there. A few began coming in about six, and then someone came to unlock the doors.

Deenie and Bert arrived and I discussed the poster with Bert. And later on with Deenie. Leland and Maile arrived and began to set up their equipment to make this an enjoyable evening for everyone. Gradually the greatest people on this Island began arriving. Bringing in some of the best eating I have ever had. This is food for Kings and Queens. I can consider myself among the lucky ones. Simply delicious.

"Saturday, April 20th at the Wahaiwa ballroom social. What a fab evening!
Food, Fun, Friends and lots of dancing to DJ Leland's wonderful music.
If you weren't there, you missed out. Next time."

Deanie and Bert

I arrived at home and had a one of the most delicious meals in my life. There are many places that promote Dine and Dance but you cannot beat this. Then the down. I have been having computer problems and I want to stay in Win 7. But with my new refurbished computer - it has no memory card slot. So I have to buy a memory card reader. I will probably have to buy a better camera too. Yes, I need some coaching. I want to stay on Win 7.  Meanwhile I received these pictures from Maile.  More in Part Two.

"The truth is that "hate speech" is only to those who have something to hide."

Wahiawa Part One

Wow, Terrific Day. I could feel myself losing any depression that I have had for awhile. Began my preparations after noon. Shower, and get everything I had to take in order to do what I had to do. The Handi Van was there promptly at 5:30 pm according to their schedule. I was hoping that he was late but no luck. I got to the Wahiawa Recreation Center at 5.50 pm and nobody there. A few began coming in about six, and then someone came to unlock the doors.

Deenie and Bert arrived and I discussed the poster with Bert. And later on with Deenie. Leland and Maile arrived and began to set up their equipment to make this an enjoyable evening for everyone. Gradually the greatest people on this Island began arriving. Bringing in some of the best eating I have ever had. This is food for Kings and Queens. I can consider myself among the lucky ones. Simply delicious.

"Saturday, April 20th at the Wahaiwa ballroom social. What a fab evening!
Food, Fun, Friends and lots of dancing to DJ Leland's wonderful music.
If you weren't there, you missed out. Next time."

Deanie and Bert

I arrived at home and had a one of the most delicious meals in my life. There are many places that promote Dine and Dance but you cannot beat this. Then the down. I have been having computer problems and I want to stay in Win 7. But with my new refurbished computer - it has no memory card slot. So I have to buy a memory card reader. I will probably have to buy a better camera too. Yes, I need some coaching. I want to stay on Win 7.  Meanwhile I received these pictures from Maile.  More in Part Two.

"The truth is that "hate speech" is only to those who have something to hide."

New Update

Oahu night club fans are getting to be very knowledgeable about the local dance scene and are developing opinions. Only a few years ago, social media was something most people thought of as a tool for teenagers and college students. That has changed. Facebook now has more millions of active users and the fastest growing demographic of Facebook users is the over-30 age group. If that didn't make you sit up and take note, it should have.

"Social dancers believe that most importantly they should

feel good about themselves in dancing."

The night club members and potential customers probably have a computer and probably have high speed Internet access. And if they are not already using social media of some kind, just give them some time. They are not stupid, they will be akamai. Think you are immune? How did you access this article? There is a good chance you came to it online. The regular social dancers of the last century are a bit behind but catching up steadily.

"Shores Of Haleiwa" by Loyal Garner

The communication mogul of the 21st century is the World Wide Web and the tools that make it work have advanced so much in such a short time. What is Web 2.0? No, you don't need to throw out your year-old computer or buy new software. Web 2.0 really relates to the growing trend to make the web more interactive, collaborative, innovative, and social. The big difference in Web Sites and Blog Sites is on its way,

If not ME then who? If not YOU then who? The power we have together is more;
So much greater than ever before! So why not me? And why not you?
Together there is so much we can do! 

Oahu Dance

On Oahu the term Street dance shrinks as it refers to modern folk dance with the term "street" being more accurate since much of the modern world is now urbanized. Some examples of street dance n the mainland includes B-boying, more commonly known as break dancing, which originated in New York City, the Melbourne Shuffle which originated in Melbourne, Australia and the Tecktonik which originated in Paris, France. Our Social Dance on Oahu is not accepting any of it into the Oahu social dancing scene.

"Social dancers believe that dancing can tell stories and kill loneliness."

The Rock Step and the Chassé developed in the Caribbean long before the arrival of the first illegal aliens. But these movements had been brought over centuries before from the ancient Indian civilizations in Mexico, straight across to Cuba (only ninety miles from Yucatan.) Or around to Florida and then to Cuba (only ninety miles.) Or went down to northern part of South America (only ninety miles to the Antilles.) The partner dances that developed in the Caribbean were accented on the second beat. the slower bolero-son ("rumba") was always danced on the second beat.

"Pearly Shells" by Don Ho

It was a rock step and a slow step. They broke on the second beat, back on rock step on three and the slow step covering 4, 1. Simple and beautiful. The same thing was done later in the Mambo and note the resemblance of many of the Mambo movements to the International style of Rumba. No coincidence.

"To the biggest liar in Washington DC, maybe Jesus loves you,

but everyone else thinks you're an asshole."