Dancing Hawaii

NDCA: The National Dance Council of America. An organization that consists of Professional Dancers and is the governing and regulatory body of the American Style of Dancing. They cover the accepted Standard Steps, the tempi of the various dances, the competitions to be awarded championship status. The NDCA is an organization that sanctions competitions and licenses judges. The NDCA as a whole does not host competitions, but allows "members" to host their own competitions, and have those competitions "sanctioned" by the NDCA.

"Social Dancers realize that they have had a reputation in Night

Clubs of not being drunks. The term applied has been "cheap."

Some Night Clubs are learning who their class people are."

When a competition is sanctioned, that competition may only use judges who are "members" of the NDCA. Sanctioned competitions have events for Amateurs, Professionals, and Pro/Am couples (Amateur dancers who pay their Professional teachers to compete with them) And they can make it very difficult to have a dance competition in Hawaii, so we just don't have any. Most of our social dances are based on the syllabi of the NDCA. We may try again to have some kind of competition in Hawaii, but no one has been able to do too.

"Molokai Waltz" by Amy Hanaialii

Makakilo, Kapolei and Honokai Hale have become very cohesive in their opposition of the Rail Catastrophe And it is spreading up the Waianae Coast and down the Moanalua Corridor. They will be more inclined to help those who promote any industrial activity. "I coulda been home in 20 minutes." Yet prices still going up all over? You ain't seen nuttin' yet. We hope to live, work and play in the area and make this area a real paradise, a real second city. That cohesiveness will also help to have some "play" available beside restaurants. A another good cocktail lounge would be a good beginning. More locations available for social dancing may come about.There are plenty of dancers but the Present Rail Party wants everyone to go down town and pay their dues to Honolulu.

"Social dancers feel that taking dance lessons and not going to a social dance
is like getting a driver's license and not driving."

Blog Images

When I started blogging over 20 years ago, I made it a habit to use a minimum of one image with every blog post. Why? Because images still speak a thousand words. More over, it’s this kind of eye-catching content which makes our blog posts look more visually appealing, but this is true only when we use the right image to convey our message. Our image should be relevant to the context of the article and should be somehow related. Most of mine at present are posters from other dance units on Oahu. Photos come only when I am invited to a dance social. I cannot eat, or dance but with a little help I can get enough photos to make a nice blog.

"Roses are Red, - Cha Cha is Hot,

Chocolate has calories, Dancing has not."

I have "butterfingers" and I am limited in taking pictures. However, I take my camera to a dance party and pass the camera around. I discovered something very useful. Each person takes pictures of "their" friends. All perfectly normal, no malicious intentions. But the results are that if I have several people getting  5 or 6 photos each, I got just about everybody and I have a good blog. I will also share some hints which can help anyone to get the right image for the blog.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

One person in photo is not better than two people in one photo. Anyone should be able see the difference in ten photos in a blog with one person each and ten with two people each. It follows that three people is better than two and four is better than three. However, it is also definite, that 19 people is not better than 18. It is all up to the photographer and that person can make whatever the decision is apt at the moment. I have zero experience on movies.

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique.

Just like everyone else."

CDC WARNING

From: Richard Takahata

To: Board of Directors
Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club

SUBJ: CDC WARNING on Corona Virus (COVID19)

The subject warning has been released to the media and public - a community outbreak here in the US, is only a matter when not if, so be prepared... significant disruptions can be expected

ABC News Prime, 2/25/20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byU_N9iHBFY

I recommend cancelling public events voluntarily ( self-quarantine), or else face a rapidly increasing risk that this disease will force us to, while attracting media attention which could be highly negative and threaten our existence as a community organization - for having ignored this warning and not acted responsibly and proactively to protect our members and organization. The consequences of a community outbreak happening as a result of one of our events would be overwhelming and could destroy our club. The news media has provided many real life examples, worldwide for us to learn from.

The State has already admitted they have no test kits for COVID 19 and have to send test samples all the way to Georgia with a delay of 1 week or more for the results. There's no community testing possible to identify infected persons faster and take more proactive action. And even then, the test results could still be false negatives and require multiple retries to verify the test - more delays. In China they are going right to doing X-Rays of the patients with symptoms, because testing is too slow and unreliable.

The State has also admitted they can NOT do it all alone, and must rely on the public to act responsibly, stay informed and to cooperate and take action to both prepare and to take preventative and protective measures in a timely way. We have the freedom and responsibility of control over our own lives, and to help each other.

Right now time is on our side. That advantage is decreasing the longer we wait and do not take action and the threats and risks increase, each DAY - the new media has been reinforcing that, 24/7/365. Once we see real incidences of infected members or friends, it will be too late to act and more infections could happen with increasing disruption, and God forbid, the death of one or more members, because health facilities and services could be rapidly overwhelmed in a large outbreak. Outside forces will have to move in to take over control.

Taking quick voluntary preventative and protective actions sooner could result in fewer lasting and less serious impacts on our club and community, and could lead to an eventual return to normalcy and resumptions of our club activities with less damages and complications to have to correct or be burdened with - a happier and more secure future, as the result of being more proactive.

Richard

CDC WARNING

From: Richard Takahata

To: Board of Directors
Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club

SUBJ: CDC WARNING on Corona Virus (COVID19)

The subject warning has been released to the media and public - a community outbreak here in the US, is only a matter when not if, so be prepared... significant disruptions can be expected

ABC News Prime, 2/25/20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byU_N9iHBFY

I recommend cancelling public events voluntarily ( self-quarantine), or else face a rapidly increasing risk that this disease will force us to, while attracting media attention which could be highly negative and threaten our existence as a community organization - for having ignored this warning and not acted responsibly and proactively to protect our members and organization. The consequences of a community outbreak happening as a result of one of our events would be overwhelming and could destroy our club. The news media has provided many real life examples, worldwide for us to learn from.

The State has already admitted they have no test kits for COVID 19 and have to send test samples all the way to Georgia with a delay of 1 week or more for the results. There's no community testing possible to identify infected persons faster and take more proactive action. And even then, the test results could still be false negatives and require multiple retries to verify the test - more delays. In China they are going right to doing X-Rays of the patients with symptoms, because testing is too slow and unreliable.

The State has also admitted they can NOT do it all alone, and must rely on the public to act responsibly, stay informed and to cooperate and take action to both prepare and to take preventative and protective measures in a timely way. We have the freedom and responsibility of control over our own lives, and to help each other.

Right now time is on our side. That advantage is decreasing the longer we wait and do not take action and the threats and risks increase, each DAY - the new media has been reinforcing that, 24/7/365. Once we see real incidences of infected members or friends, it will be too late to act and more infections could happen with increasing disruption, and God forbid, the death of one or more members, because health facilities and services could be rapidly overwhelmed in a large outbreak. Outside forces will have to move in to take over control.

Taking quick voluntary preventative and protective actions sooner could result in fewer lasting and less serious impacts on our club and community, and could lead to an eventual return to normalcy and resumptions of our club activities with less damages and complications to have to correct or be burdened with - a happier and more secure future, as the result of being more proactive.

Richard

Dance Class and Party

Oahu is becoming central in social dancing in the entire Pacific. And the social dancers are becoming aware of their place in the dance scene in the Hawaiian Islands. The dance blog sites and the dance web sites will be cuuxial in disseminating the dance information. It is evolving to the good.

"Some people succeed because they are destined. Most succeed because they are determined."

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

Dance Your way to the Salsa Beat

Learn how to salsa dance and expand your social circle at the same time at Zack's Dance Loft happy hour dance party. Teacher Zack will conduct a salsa lesson for complete beginner dancers. After the lesson, socialize and practice with Zack and your fellow students while enjoying complementary wine and spirits.

The Dance
Salsa is a popular social dance throughout the world. Salsa dancing can be divided into several styles defined by the geographic region from which they come; Cuban style, Kali style, Colombian style, palladium style, LA style, NY style, and more. It is normally a partner dance and can be danced either in open or closed position. Salsa can be also danced individually as a line dance.

The Event
At this event there will be a a 1 hour dance class. Complimentary wine and spirits will be available while you are socializing and practicing. Beginners and intermediate dancers are welcome, and you don't need a partner. Zack, who has been featured in New York magazine, will guide you step by step as you dance to the energetic rhythm of the beats. This may be Hawaii's Best.

The Classes
These classes are designed for the beginners. At these classes you will learn new moves, techniques, and complete beginner level choreography, which will help you to develop different skills. Most important, no commitment to a fixed schedule is necessary. Each class is designed to allow you to get a taste of the dance in a beautiful studio with a fun atmosphere.

"The harder you work for something, the greater you'll feel

when you achieve it. Go ahead, dream bigger."

Dancing Anew

There are dozens of social dances available on Oahu if you count the fad dances. Each one of them is very likely to improve your cardiovascular strength. Although one workout will do wonders, making it a habit is the best way to get lasting results. Most social dancers take a class once a week and go to a social once a week. Perhaps it’s the quality of the dance experience that brings individuals back to the dance floor and pushing their body a little harder each time. They are having fun moving to their favorite music.

"Social dancers think that no matter what, they should be themselves

and enjoy their time dancing and being nice to the world!"

Country Dancing is a fine style, with its different ramifications, Waltz, Line, Two step etc and to their own preferred kind of music. They set up the correct ways of dancing their style to facilitate dancing with each other. Sounds all right to me. Standardizing the steps for instance has for decades been done in all kinds of social dance. Facilitates the lead and follow for everyone, just wanna move to the music. However you are not likely to find Salsa, Tango or Viennese Waltz danced here, it is accepted that way and no one complains.

"My Molokai Woman" by Willie K

According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

 "Truth never envelops itself in mystery, and the mystery in which it is at any

time enveloped is the work of its antagonist, and never of itself."

My Neice Yvonne Writes

Thinking of you❤️  How are you doing ❤️  And how are you feeling❤️ It’s Sunday the 23rd of February 2020 already💥💥💥.   Sending you pictures of 2 outings that I had with your sisters .. Eleanor and Mother ❣️❣️   These were 2 days that they both were feeling rather good🙏🏻🙏🏻   Some days are better than others❤️   I love you ❣️❣️ Please Take care of yourself🙏🏻🙏🏻

"Nostalgias" por Placido Domingo

 

"My Molokai Woman" by Willie K

"Waikiki" by Amy Hanaialii

“Most social dancers like the dreams of the future

much better than the history of the past." 

From my Neice Yvonne

Thinking of you❤️  How are you doing ❤️  And how are you feeling❤️ It’s Sunday the 23rd of February 2020 already💥💥💥.   Sending you pictures of 2 outings that I had with your sisters .. Eleanor and Mother ❣️❣️   These were 2 days that they both were feeling rather good🙏🏻🙏🏻   Some days are better than others❤️   I love you ❣️❣️ Please Take care of yourself🙏🏻🙏🏻

 "Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes" por Jorge Negrete 

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

 

And I thank Yvonne and everyone in the pictures, a feast for my eyes to see the relatives. I will make another blog, "Town Dancer" tomorrow for the other half of the pictures. Here, all I can do is avoid being a burden to my nurses and my weekly helper which are furnished to me free. Happy Days, everyone. Love to all, Uncle Joe.

From my Neice Yvonne

Thinking of you❤️  How are you doing ❤️  And how are you feeling❤️ It’s Sunday the 23rd of February 2020 already💥💥💥.   Sending you pictures of 2 outings that I had with your sisters .. Eleanor and Mother ❣️❣️   These were 2 days that they both were feeling rather good🙏🏻🙏🏻   Some days are better than others❤️   I love you ❣️❣️ Please Take care of yourself🙏🏻🙏🏻

 "Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes" por Jorge Negrete 

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

 

And I thank Yvonne and everyone in the pictures, a feast for my eyes to see the relatives. I will make another blog, "Town Dancer" tomorrow for the other half of the pictures. Here, all I can do is avoid being a burden to my nurses and my weekly helper which are furnished to me free. Happy Days, everyone. Love to all, Uncle Joe.

Latino

By Raphael Gonzalez, Waipio

Latin Music and Dance has been in the US since the latter part of the nineteenth century. Of course just as show business. And it came in pretty solid in the twentieth century to be danced by the locals. In the late 40's it had Rumba, Samba and Tango in very heavy. In the 50's, a hybrid of the old fast Rumba and Swing, the Mambo became the most esteemed Latin dance in the US. It had the seductive qualities of all the popular Latin dances, and it began with the break of the rock step on the second beat of the phrase, which was easy enough when the accent was on the second beat.

"Social Dancers know that dancing is the world’s second most popular indoor sport."

But it required some dance talent to perform when the accent in the US was on the first beat. Many learned to break on the one. The phrase, "Mambo on the 2" arose to clarify the music. The mambo’s rhythmic originality reflected the influence of swing and jazz on the music and dance of native Cubans. The freshness of the mambo rhythm emerged as a platform for artistic creativity in American and Latin music and it became a television showcase for rock and its teenage fans. The new LP record format made rock music cheap and plentiful.

"Que Rico El Mambo" por Perez Prado.

With TVs in every home, teenage baby boomers had easy access to their own music and dance, and for the first time, youth dictated American taste. These established the Rumba solid in most dancer's repertoire and allowed the introduction of complete new creation by the American Teachers, the Bolero. This fit in very nicely with the slower playing of the bolero music. The same identical music a little faster was danced in Rumba. The results are that Rumba is danced by everyone, and few dance Bolero and usually omitted in most dance functions

"Could be all lies and jest, still, a person hears what they want to hear,
disregarding the rest and arguing with a fool proves there are two."

The Latest

With only me blogging, this blog not doing so good. Of course I borrow from everybody. What a difference it would make with just a little more feedback from a few of our reader/dancers, willing to stick their two cents in for the benefit of all. The only blight on our horizon is the horrible Rail Disaster. Already screwing up the works in the Pearl City area and they are just getting started. But the Big Bucks in Profits mean everything to some. The residents of these communities be damned. The Users? Worth even less. It's the dough, Moe.

"What is told in the ear of a person is often heard miles away."

Calvin and Hobbes doing the new Mililani Stomp

The night clubbing community can be expressed as the people attending a certain venue with most clubs having some kind of theme or target audience. Sometimes referred to as the Peripherals, the Fad dances are part of it. Swing, Salsa, Tango, Country dancing are usual and it is natural that visitors would have something in common. Therefore, a type of temporary community is formed in these clubs. People may go to nightclubs to pronounce their style and personality. And nowadays a Fad may last ten years or more, - Lambada?

"Sweet Someone" by Don Ho

"Every story has an end but in our social dancing, every end is just a new beginning."

Seniors Club at MTA

Received from Richard Takahata:

As a community organization WBDC can be supporting better communications and taking actions to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus disease and keeping everyone informed and doing their part.  Its a constantly changing threat environment that no one organization, like our government agencies can handle alone - we all have to be part of the solution and staying alert.

A simple rule is to wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially before eating.

The Seniors Club at Mililani Town Association is distributing flyers from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) like the attached files to actively inform members at their meetings.

We are stronger, acting together.

Richard 

We can all help, even if only to share good words.

 

"It may be true, that the weak will always be driven to the wall, but

it is the task of a just society to see that the wall is climbable."

The Waianae Coast?

Social Media has been defined as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content." I have proven to my own satisfaction that the success of these blogs will be in the regularity of the Information Contributors and the Guest Bloggers. Dance Social media on Oahu depends on a variety of views from everyone in the dance scene. Individuals and social dance clubs will share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content.

 "Social dancers are well aware that social dancing has no standardized
 teaching or learning curriculum, so what's doing?"

 

Most videos have very good examples of basic figures danced with style. So beginners should not be too greedy to jump into variations before they understand how they are developed from the basic figures. They can still look good when they dance the basic syllabus figures well. Variations are also better danced with a fixed partner as both dancers must understand how the variations are transformed from the original basic style. But social dancers on Oahu can move to our terrific music with just basic movements done over and over in sheer joy.

"Shores Of Haleiva" by Loyal Garner

Of course many dance videos of dancing are increasingly going for LAGS. Their intentions are to get you looking fancy in no time flat. But take it easy, look around, ask around and you will gradually learn that there are first things first and if you really like the music, your dances can be quite enjoyable along the way. The blogs are still in process and I have put "Dance And Live" on hold for a couple months. I am sure that the best blog will be independent this year. We have a ways to go.

"Some social dancers believe that everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear. And that the roots of education may be bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

Line Dancing

On Oahu, it is all over, and some even with their own clubs. In social dancing it has become in interesting "intermission" dance. Fun for everyone, except for the law against men dancing line dance. I have no idea as to the length of the jail term. Basic line dances focus on movements of the legs and feet, with more advanced dances including the arms and hands. The movements of a line dance are marked as "counts," where one count generally equals one musical beat. A particular movement or step takes place at each beat. A line dance will have a certain number of counts, meaning the number of beats in one complete sequence of the dance which is repeated.

"Social dancers realize that we not clones. Each one of us dances

slightly different from each other and there is the intrigue,"

For example, a 64-count dance would contain 64 beats. The number of beats does not necessarily equal the number of steps, however, as steps can be performed between two beats or over more than one beat. Line dances are made up of a certain number of steps, with each step identified by a catchy name. The Texas Two-Step, the Tush Push, the West Coast Shuffle, the Redneck Girl, and the Boot Scootin' Boogie are all well-known line dances still performed in country-western bars today. Because its steps are simple and don't involve dancing with a partner, line dancing is ideal for singles and people who don't normally dance.

"The Cha Cha Slide"

Line dancing is taught and practiced in country-western dance bars, night clubs, social clubs, and dance halls around the world. One of the most popular line dances performed today is the "Cha-Cha Slide," whose easy-to-follow steps are dictated right in the lyrics to the song, though you may be unfamiliar with certain moves like the Charlie Brown. The "Cupid Shuffle" also became largely popular at high school dances in the early 2000s and is still played in clubs. Wherever the line dance originated, one thing's for certain: this easy-to-learn group dance format isn't going to lose any fans anytime soon!

"Pure truth, like pure gold, has been found unfit for circulation, because people have discovered that it is far more convenient to adulterate the truth, than to refine themselves."

Dance Jargon

Dance; For a couple millenniums, it was known as any physical movement to music or rhythm. However, in the past century it went through the process of redefinition by different dance groups in the world. Specially the ones that developed an elitist attitude. They belonged to a special group and they danced according to their rules They knew when they are dancing "correctly." Those other people over there, are not really dancing. Social dancers understand that these people wish to be different from us - and we acquiesce.

Dance Fever: A benign illness that hits most social dancers at different times and in varying degrees. "Just Gotta Dance." There is no known cure, you just gotta dance it out.

Dance Floor: In Night Clubs and Restaurants it is a designated place where people can dance. In our regular dance functions, it is THE FLOOR.

"Good social dancers do not forget small kindnesses and do not remember small faults."

Dance Instructor: An experience dancer who teaches in a systematic way such as dance classes in dance clubs, studios and privately. They can provide the students with knowledge of the proper styling and the history of the dance. The students have the opportunity to know, understand and appreciate the particular dance in its context.

Dance Teacher: Not quite synonymous with Dance Instructor. All you have heard, "Anyone can teach anyone a dance step". or another quote, "Anyone can learn a dance step." The proper styling? Now that is quite a different matter. However good dance teachers usually help good dancers.

Dance Workshop, Amateur: A modern form of street dance club. A social gathering of dancers roughly the same level of expertise to help each other in perfecting the steps and patterns which they already know. They may also use DVDs to introduce new movements to their repertoire. They can develop into some of the best of the social dancers.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

Dance Workshop Pro: A Professional will review the better way of moving to music to regular dancers for a fee.

Demonstration: An explanation by example to show a particular pattern or style of dance. Very effective by those that are not very good teachers but have a history of being good dancers.

Disco: Evolved from Latin Challenge position in dancing in the US. The young dancers separated and stayed that way doing their own thing. At the time Records were used in Night Clubs and Disco means Record in Spanish. It has since evolved into several genres for the young and not considered as part of our recreational partner dancing.

Discography: The systematic study and cataloguing of phonograph records, albums, Cassettes and/or CDs. Ranges from the small collector to the Big Time DJs.

"Social dancers know that there are two ways of spreading light:

to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

Dieter Pfister

RE: Friday Night Fever
Received from Richard Takahata

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a present.

Life is short, and time is very precious. Dieter's sudden passing, this past weekend is a new reminder not to take each day for granted. It makes me very thankful for everyone that came to Friday Night Fever, the day before he passed and enjoyed having music, dancing, fun, and a great time together at this special event - time well spent and lived through sharing. We can all look at and remember how Dieter lived that example, with his wife Gloria in the many years they supported and helped to lead and organize our Wahiawa Ballroom Dance club for the benefit and happiness of many.

Dieter and wife Gloria -- Dieter, Maile and Leland

Dieter and Gloria, former President of Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club, at The Roaring 20s, 1/10/20

I hope Dieter is enjoying all of the fun, merriment, music, and dancing up in the big Oktoberfest in the sky, and raising his glass high and giving a toast and cheers to the great master of ceremonies up there.

Thank you Dieter, may we live and work better together and help each other to live meaningful and happier lives, however and while we can.

Richard

"Most of us know enough about loss to realize that we never stop missing someone - 

we just learn to live around the big space of their absence."

"Walk Through Paradise" by Melveen Leed

Received from Samir Teves

Aloha Jeb,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my dance event in your blog. Attached is the flyer.
Sent from my iPhone

"Yes, this is my life, I am 94 years young and I fully realize and accept that

as I approach the final curtain, it is now ending one minute at a time."