Wine

The new century and Wine seems to be the increasing choice of drink for dancers. You just sip, sip and sip. Many seem to know the different classes of wine and even the differences in smell. Dancers have had a long time reputation of not being drunks. They drink but usually responsibly and that is to the good of everyone.

"I got started dancing because I knew that was one way to meet girls."
~ Gene Kelly (1912-1996) American dancer

Wine has a long history dating back about 8,000 years (along with agriculture) and is thought to have originated in present day Georgia (Russia) or Iran. It took about 1500 years to get to Europe. It became very common in classical Greece and Rome. In early Greece, 20000 Greek men and wine in the afternoon, evolved the entire Western concept of ethics that we know today.

"Days Of Wine And Roses" by Andy Williams

Wine has also played an important role in religion since ancient times. The Greek God Dionysos and the Roman God Bacchus represented wine. Wine has played an important role in ceremonies in the Christian religion such as mass. And wine was drunk at the Last Supper.

Forty years ago, I could see empty hard liquor bottles at some of the social dances. And always a few beer cans but no evidence of wine. Now. not many drinkers at the socials but it has become apparent in Night Clubs and Da Big Shows in Waikiki. There must be other reasons why wine is becoming "acceptable," One of the marks of a certain type of a bad person is one that cannot give up a thing themselves without wanting every one else to give it up too.

From the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam, one millennium ago.

Come, fill the cup, and in the fire of Spring

Your Winter garment of Repentance fling:

The Bird of Time has but a little way

To flutter - and the Bird is on the Wing.

Looking Good

I tried the first comeback blog for trial couple weeks ago and got some hits. So I hope to get it rolling in December with some regular Guest Authors. And I believe I will probably will get most from my other social media. This Blog will be just bigger that Oahu Dancer on Facebook. It will cover dancing, music, food and drink. Of course the Guest Authors will stick their own things now and then which is perfectly acceptable. And 90% of the readership will be from Oahu. I will try to blog at least once per week. This is all preliminary and changes will be made according to Guest Authors. I can do it with three,  but six would be ideal.

"The truth may not lead you to where you thought you were going,

but it will always lead you somewhere better"

A dance opinion may be supported by facts, in which case it becomes an argument, although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. In our social media, we will continue to establish some better understanding of our dance scene. Opinions rarely change without new arguments being presented. So in our blogs we need more honest dance opinions from different viewpoints. It can be reasoned that one opinion is better supported by the facts than another by analyzing the supporting arguments. For now we cover what must to write. Later we must cover the feedback.

 "With A Song In My Heart" by Mario Lanza

Dance is your pulse, your heartbeat, your breathing. It’s the rhythm of your life. It’s the expression in time and movement, in happiness, joy, sadness and envy.

The Palladium

The Palladium now seems to be rolling again, It’s administered by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, which does not limit its use solely to ballroom dancing. What may be still most irksome to the ballroom dancers, however, aren’t the line dancers, swing dancers, Scottish folk dancers or other dancers who have staked claims to the space. It’s the non-dance groups competing for the Palladium’s coveted time slots. We shall see.

"Ka Nohona Pili Kai" by Keali'i Reichel

Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association, (HBDA), is still the largest ballroom dance organizations on Oahu. HBDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, teaching and encouragement of ballroom dancing. They have their own studio in Aiea. HBDA offers both American and International style of ballroom dance and they can get a nice crowd at the Palladium.

 "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond

   “Dance for yourself. If someone understands,
 good. If not, no matter.”