La Rumba

La Rumba has evolved into one of the most beautiful dances in World Social Dance, for the looks, feel and the music. The music has been combined and separated from the Bolero. Much of the difference can only be applied to the speed, Same music, Bolero, slow. Rumba faster. The terminology that has has been used by historians is quite diverse with many identical items having many terms and many different items have the same term. This can be quite confusing.

"Many social dancers believe that when they get on the dance floor, their connections
to the rest of the world may be washed clean of preconceptions and fears.
When they dance, they can enjoy the luxury of being themselves.”

The name of the dance evolved from the Spanish word, Rumbo. "Por ese rumbo," means, "like that," "similar to," "somewhat," and which was applied by the Spanish sailors to all the similar dances in the Caribbean. Later on Rumbo evolved from the dance to mean "party" or "spree." The music developed much more in Cuba. It is secular, with no religious connections. Over time, rumba ceased to be simply another word for party and took on the meaning both of a defined Cuban musical genre and also of a very specific form of dance.

"Frenesi" by Artie Shaw

The term spread with the music to the US in the 1930s to the faster popular music of Cuba (the "Peanut Vendor" was a classic),  It was used as a catch-all term, rather like salsa today. The term is also used in the international Latin-American dance syllabus, where it is a misnomer, for the music used for this slower dance is the bolero-son, much slower. Ballroom rumba is basically son and not based on the authentic folkloric rumba.The Africans in the Caribbean fell completely in love with it and developed many new sounds in the music and many new moves in the dance.

Book not recommended: "The Cat's Revenge" by Claude Balls

La Rumba

La Rumba has evolved into one of the most beautiful dances in World Social Dance, for the looks, feel and the music. The music has been combined and separated from the Bolero. Much of the difference can only be applied to the speed, Same music, Bolero, slow. Rumba faster. The terminology that has has been used by historians is quite diverse with many identical items having many terms and many different items have the same term. This can be quite confusing.

"Many social dancers believe that when they get on the dance floor, their connections
to the rest of the world may be washed clean of preconceptions and fears.
When they dance, they can enjoy the luxury of being themselves.”

The name of the dance evolved from the Spanish word, Rumbo. "Por ese rumbo," means, "like that," "similar to," "somewhat," and which was applied by the Spanish sailors to all the similar dances in the Caribbean. Later on Rumbo evolved from the dance to mean "party" or "spree." The music developed much more in Cuba. It is secular, with no religious connections. Over time, rumba ceased to be simply another word for party and took on the meaning both of a defined Cuban musical genre and also of a very specific form of dance.

"Frenesi" by Artie Shaw

The term spread with the music to the US in the 1930s to the faster popular music of Cuba (the "Peanut Vendor" was a classic),  It was used as a catch-all term, rather like salsa today. The term is also used in the international Latin-American dance syllabus, where it is a misnomer, for the music used for this slower dance is the bolero-son, much slower. Ballroom rumba is basically son and not based on the authentic folkloric rumba.The Africans in the Caribbean fell completely in love with it and developed many new sounds in the music and many new moves in the dance.

Book not recommended: "The Cat's Revenge" by Claude Balls

Competitive Ballroom Dancing

By Ralph Richardson, Lahiana
As a Social Phenomenon:

This merely develops a critique of Competitive Ballroom Dancing as a social phenomenon from an anthropological perspective and that of a non-dancer. In order to do it, this theme is concerned with interrelating dance with anthropology. The concepts of how people express themselves and communicate in society provides the study with the scope to explore certain issues. The first aspect shows how a person would prepare to be a dancer in competition, this involves, among other things, learning to dance, finding a suitable partner and the overall appearance of the dancer.
 

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they

are great because of their passion. ” ― Martha Graham

Secondly looking at competition, which involves sport and dance, judgement and perception of how the dancers and spectators view it. The embodied content of the competitive dancer is seen as an important issue, since it can affect how the dancers dance and how the dance is perceived, despite the fact that competitive ballroom dancing is such a highly formal, structured and rule-governed form of dance. And there are many that can enjoy the game of dancing according to some one's rules. Ritual and performance theories integrating different tendencies are juxtaposed with what appears to happen in this form of dance.

"The Last Waltz" by Englebert Humperdinck

In addition various types of altered state of mind are examined, in view of comments made by dancers about how they feel when dancing even though most participants enjoy it. Furthermore this thesis explores an understanding of how important this form of dancing is to its participants and how the activity can be a life-long pursuit whether as a dancer or subsequently as a spectator. It also illustrates the extent to which younger people enjoy an activity where there is great emphasis on being fit and how they have come to link it with sport. For me, I will continue to prefer the social dance which we do now and I am able to dance at social dance functions equally well as in the night club circuit. In the Hawaii we just need more places where we can dance and we will have more dancers.

"If you are not a thinking person, to what purpose are you a person at all?

West Oahu Looking Good

The famous Rock step (also called the break step) will always be with us and many social dancers are well aware of it. The name refers to the rocking action during the move, the weight is transferred from one foot to another and then back. It is a very basic move to music and used in most dances in the world. Very probably evolved from the original even step. left, right, left etc. Then in changing direction to step backward, there was noticeable dance move. The Rock Step.

“Social dancers find that the dance moves are theirs. They make the moment important,

vital, and worth living. They listen to the music and do not let it slip away unused.”

Most often it is a two-step dance move executed in two beats of music. There are two basic versions, rocking back and rocking forward. They may start with any foot. In rock back, the dancer steps backwards with full weight transfer then transfers the weight back to the front foot while keeping it in place. In rock forward, the dancer steps forward with full weight transfer then transfers the weight to the back foot while keeping it in place.

"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell (1981)

Submitted by Maile Yagi

No truth to the rumor of a keg of beer.

In some dances, such as East Coast Swing, the partners rock from opposite feet in opposite directions. The leader rocks backward, the follower rocks backward, both doing the basic step sequence: "rock step, slow step". And in some slower dances they will do a chasse instead of the slow step. There you have the most basic dance moves in perhaps 1000 dances. More than that? I wont argue. The most important thing is to enjoy moving to your favorite music.

Book, not recommended: "I Was Prepared" by Justin Case

Starting Good

We shooting crap here, 7 - 11, today's date is the 7th and we look forward to the big party on the 11th. Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club. Meanwhile we have much to do. I am seeing more men use the alternative basic in Rumba. It looks like they start to dance International, but then they lead the lady into the cross body lead and the ladies are wonders at doing the follow so gracefully. Try it just for the sport, you don't do a "one" count with the right foot. You break wherever the accent is and most of the Rumba music in the US is accented on the one count. A simple rock step (quick, quick) and slow step and just go with the rhythm and dance American Style.

“Social dancers believe that our bodies are a sacred temple A place to dance and connect with people. We are not getting any younger, we might as well keep the body stronger.” 

Social dancing contributes to the build-up of muscle strength because the act of dancing forces a dancer’s muscles to resist against their own body weight. Dance will help you develop more muscle strength in your arms, legs and core as your learning continues. Endurance is the capability of your muscles to work harder and longer without succumbing to fatigue. Social dancing for fun and as exercise is particularly effective at building up your endurance. As you work on your dance steps, you are conditioning your muscles to perform these feats with less and less fatigue. And the added benefit is that you’ll look and feel stronger and toned.

"Stranger In Paradise" by Frank Sinatra

We are getting better at contact with possible dance groups that we can help. I just personally do not want to interfere. Anybody that wants some blogging, just invite me and I will make every effort to blog'em. Anyone that does not have a web site will be more than welcome. And if you have a Web site you should find out the difference with a Blog site. We do not offer an "instead of" your regular public relations. Blogging is usually an "addition to." I know I repeat myself but in blogging the reader/dancers are the ones that make the final rules and we try to be very current.

Political Parties

"However they may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled

men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves

the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have

 lifted them to unjust dominion." ~ George Washington

Update

The beginning of the year almost always looks hopeful and 2019 looks hopeful for all the dancers on Oahu. Communicating with each other on this entire island is somewhat difficult but it is being done now by various means. Blogs are more personal, direct and more current communication, They leave an opening for comments in each blog and they are receptive to more formal answers and opinions in the blog itself. With enough information coming in to share with the readers, the hits can go through the ceiling. Blogging is much different than anything we have come across before.

“Social dancers hear the music and dance with hopes
and sing along with the possibilities.”

The modern Rumba - Bolero music is in my opinion the most beautiful music in the world. And the dance that moves to that music is the most pleasant moving to music in existence. It is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that evolved in the Caribbean as a combination of the musical traditions of the original inhabitants of the Caribbean. The movements and the music had existed for a millennium before the first illegals arrived. It was not brought over by the slaves and it had more influence by the Europeans in their dance and music.

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

Received from Maile Yagi

“Lord I thank you for the gift of breath, eyes to see, ears to hear, tongue to taste,

nose to smell; mouth to speak, face to smile, voice to sing, body to dance,

legs to walk, mind to think and hands to write.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

Update

The beginning of the year almost always looks hopeful and 2019 looks hopeful for all the dancers on Oahu. Communicating with each other on this entire island is somewhat difficult but it is being done now by various means. Blogs are more personal, direct and more current communication, They leave an opening for comments in each blog and they are receptive to more formal answers and opinions in the blog itself. With enough information coming in to share with the readers, the hits can go through the ceiling. Blogging is much different than anything we have come across before.

“Social dancers hear the music and dance with hopes
and sing along with the possibilities.”

The modern Rumba - Bolero music is in my opinion the most beautiful music in the world. And the dance that moves to that music is the most pleasant moving to music in existence. It is a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance that evolved in the Caribbean as a combination of the musical traditions of the original inhabitants of the Caribbean. The movements and the music had existed for a millennium before the first illegals arrived. It was not brought over by the slaves and it had more influence by the Europeans in their dance and music.

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed

Received from Maile Yagi

“Lord I thank you for the gift of breath, eyes to see, ears to hear, tongue to taste,

nose to smell; mouth to speak, face to smile, voice to sing, body to dance,

legs to walk, mind to think and hands to write.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita