Dance Fusion

Fusion Dancing became specially true in the Latin Dances over a century ago. In the US, Latin dancing was taken over and reprocessed by the professionals in the US, and many dances went into oblivion. Fortunately many of the basics remain. Rumba evolved in the Caribbean into a fusion with the Spanish bolero. The local Rumba in Cuba had been danced fast, and the newly arrived Spanish bolero was slow. The new fused "Son" at midways in speed emerged and the old Rumba was relegated back to the sticks.

"Social Dancers believe that a simple definition might be that

social dances are not usually complicated.

What was exported was not the "Rumba" but the Son. Fusion, change and interpretation were different all over in the US. A good example was the Rumba basic step. The original Caribbean was the rock step and a slow step in the Indian style and used throughout the Caribbean in many dances, the Calypso, Beguine, Montuno etc. Also the slow step was done with a two count Toe, Heel, very predominant move in North American Indian dancing. Instead of just stomping down, they toed on one count and the full foot on the next count.

"My Molokai" by Willie K

The English picked up on the rock step but most everything else was designed for the European dancers. In the US. Arthur Murray. having the advantage of knowing more about dancing than anyone, did not like the rock step, specially because it began on the two count. And for sure those heathens did not know anything about dancing. So for the American audience he designed the basic square step, Slow, Quick, Quick that began on the one count. And it is still taught in all the Arthur Murray studios including Oahu.
 

"Great things never come from comfort zones.
Dream it. ... Success doesn't just find you."

Pandemic, last part.

Received from Richard Takahata:

Testing and testing methods are subject to human errors and mistakes, which only favors the virus, and makes our problems much worst. People tested false negative, get a free pass out of jail/quarantine and get to run out free to only to infect more people, before they finally feel truly ill - too late for everyone else that got infected. Thats a way you get community spreading here in Hawaii and in many other places, and why all these closures could last longer and longer - till get it right, or we finally get a vaccine, in two years?

China News - they claim that new COVID19 cases stopped weeks ago at 80K+, and is impossible to verify. Their previous curve of new cases would have them at over several millions of cases by now and still growing - not what their Glorious and Beloved leader wants the world to know - that COVID19 is winning in China. Unfortunately, we started a month late in this country and COVID 19 is now in all 50 states and getting more firmly entrenched. The death rate will continue to rise in spite of Trump stating that the Trump Plague has been contained. May God help us all.

"It is because of hope that we suffer, but it is through hope

that we will change things for the better."

pandemic 5

Received 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byU_N9iHBFY

RE: COVID19 Closures and Reduced Operations at MTA, 3/17/20

https://www.mililanitown.org/presidents-announcement/

Could it last longer and longer?
Yes, and here's why... ( warning - contains opinions as well as facts, which are subject to verification)

COVID19 Update
by Peak Prosperity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmhsNdW24BM

- without a vaccine, all of the other choices are bad and get far far worst and costlier, the longer we delay taking correct actions - emphasis on CORRECT, because the virus doesn't give second chances if you get it wrong the first time. Once its in control, you don't get another chance to get it right - very unforgiving.

Non-pharmaceutical Interventions - NPIs
social distancing
self-isolation
cancel gatherings
close schools
testing* Testing, TESTING - share this information quickly and accurately

From the video - this analyses shows what NPI options our leaders have for dealing with COVID19 - it reflects estimates of how many cases/deaths could occur for the social-economic benefits gained by various combinations of NPIs they choose - they and all other world leaders are gambling with lives

Here are the various "bets" and their estimated outcomes in case/death growth.

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday

you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” ― John Lennon

With no vaccine, you can either have more cases and people die now to rapidly achieve herd immunity or completely isolate and contain for fewer deaths now and use a vaccine for immunity much later - leaders and countries are choosing between bad and worst choices - there are no good choices left ... its TOO LATE

So how long will this take? - While the disease is in control, isolation and lockdowns will take as long as needed to get to a vaccine, or by achieving natural herd immunity by having the majority of us catch the disease and either recover or some die from it.

Wearing a mask and eye protection offers some protection, if you have to go outside for essential tasks and avoid the disease, and then keep up with NPIs till you can get vaccinated - if you can last that long. And then there are lots of other bad choices to deal with - massive social/economic disruptions, high unemployment, mounting bankruptcies, costs going up and up, huge bailouts to failing companies, more quarantines, delays and more delays in everyday life - higher and higher stresses that can kill you too.

Having a clearer understanding of what is driving the future of all our lives will help you to be better prepared and not so stressed out. Why I started doing that several weeks ago to help us prepare for this day.

Richard

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest.

I do not judge the universe."  ~ Dalai Lama

 

pandemic 5

Received 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byU_N9iHBFY

RE: COVID19 Closures and Reduced Operations at MTA, 3/17/20

https://www.mililanitown.org/presidents-announcement/

Could it last longer and longer?
Yes, and here's why... ( warning - contains opinions as well as facts, which are subject to verification)

COVID19 Update
by Peak Prosperity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmhsNdW24BM

- without a vaccine, all of the other choices are bad and get far far worst and costlier, the longer we delay taking correct actions - emphasis on CORRECT, because the virus doesn't give second chances if you get it wrong the first time. Once its in control, you don't get another chance to get it right - very unforgiving.

Non-pharmaceutical Interventions - NPIs
social distancing
self-isolation
cancel gatherings
close schools
testing* Testing, TESTING - share this information quickly and accurately

From the video - this analyses shows what NPI options our leaders have for dealing with COVID19 - it reflects estimates of how many cases/deaths could occur for the social-economic benefits gained by various combinations of NPIs they choose - they and all other world leaders are gambling with lives

Here are the various "bets" and their estimated outcomes in case/death growth.

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday

you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” ― John Lennon

With no vaccine, you can either have more cases and people die now to rapidly achieve herd immunity or completely isolate and contain for fewer deaths now and use a vaccine for immunity much later - leaders and countries are choosing between bad and worst choices - there are no good choices left ... its TOO LATE

So how long will this take? - While the disease is in control, isolation and lockdowns will take as long as needed to get to a vaccine, or by achieving natural herd immunity by having the majority of us catch the disease and either recover or some die from it.

Wearing a mask and eye protection offers some protection, if you have to go outside for essential tasks and avoid the disease, and then keep up with NPIs till you can get vaccinated - if you can last that long. And then there are lots of other bad choices to deal with - massive social/economic disruptions, high unemployment, mounting bankruptcies, costs going up and up, huge bailouts to failing companies, more quarantines, delays and more delays in everyday life - higher and higher stresses that can kill you too.

Having a clearer understanding of what is driving the future of all our lives will help you to be better prepared and not so stressed out. Why I started doing that several weeks ago to help us prepare for this day.

Richard

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest.

I do not judge the universe."  ~ Dalai Lama

 

Pandemic Update

From: Richard Takahata <godancing.wbdc@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 19, 2020 at 7:11 AM
Subject: Fwd: MTA News

To: WBDC Board

Looking at the recent actions taken by the Mililani Town Associations (MTA) Board of directors for how they have been reacting to the COVID19 crises can demonstrate the level of openess and transparency they are using to reach their membership of over 17,000 households. It can demonstrate the level of professionalism and the depth of resources they have in analysing and evaluating the situation and the long term plan of actions needed. Its useful to compare this to what the city and other organizations are doing and to take and adapt the best of those ideas to use for our own community.

Understanding why is an important to gaining valuable insights into not only taking actions today, but for planning and preparing for the future. Attached is the rest of the discussions that help you to understand both why and how long this crises could last, and what those plans and actions could be...

That forward look is based on only what we know today, and can change constantly with new information and analyses. A well known fact about viruses is that they can mutate and change - into either beneign/safer or much more dangerous forms - thats what could happen later in the fall and into winter, have more consequences.

The bigger picture is that what we try to do at the level of WBDC is teaching us also about what to do for the other parts of our life, family and community - its a two way street with information and lessons learn flowing each way to make our lives better.

Everything is connected, until you to decide to break some connections for valid reasons - thats happening throughout the world now, in order to control the spread of COVID19.

Richard

PS - go back and recall my first letter to you all on 2/25/20, when I first started to bring this matter to your attention - I was serious and sincere back then, and am more serious than ever now...

"Social dancers know that when our people lose their hope of a future and purpose,

they will surely watch them die a slow death in front of them."

Moving Right Along

There has always been dancing in Honolulu and when Aiea Ballroom had it's first spinoff it was HBDA in Honolulu. And there have been dozens of other groups of people with their own idea of what a good dancing group should be. It has always been social dancing but there there has always been that slightly different viewpoint in handling the entire scene.  It continues to differ, all from each other and.Ballroom has had a mixed history. It has always felt that it was simply on a more elevated status than  just being a "street dancer." Learning the American Style of dance has been beneficial, overall, for the social, recreational dancers.

"Social dancers do make the effort to be polite and

thank their dance partner after the dance."

Now in the last few decades we had a huge influx of Latin fad dances, Lambada, Reggaeton and Macarena came and went, - nice but not the Da Reel Teeng. We now have a mixed terminology and hoping for the best for all.Salsa, Bachata, Merengue. Social dancers have also set up the accepted ways of dancing their styles to facilitate dancing with each other. And with dance teachers being what they have always been, the steps get fancier and more difficult and are definitely getting more into the Gold level and beyond. This contributes to the obsolescence of the style and is eventually supplanted by another dance.

"Hanalei Moon" by Loyal Garner

But these are the under thirty dancers as a rule. Sorry, no Waltz, Polka or Tango here either, it is accepted and no one complains.Then we have the International clubs, that have as their agenda the promotion of the International style of dance. They profess to dance it "correctly," and it is reasserted quite frequently. I have never heard anyone say that they dance it "correctly" according to their style. The implication is that by default, anyone not dancing their way is dancing "incorrectly." The height of arrogance.

"Stay Safe, let us remember that life gives no guarantees. It is uncertain and unpredictable.

It becomes our duty to make the most of each day for everyone. Stay Safe."

Da Mayor

Received from Richard Takahata:

On Monday, 3/16, the Mayor closed all city meeting and recreational facilities to indoor activities, which include ballroom dancing till May. WBDC will not be able to hold any events at Wahiawa Rec Center till then.

As the PANDEMIC develops, its highly likely this closure will continue and applies to other organizations and community places for meetings. The Mililani Town Association and various churches are examples where that has also happened.

Sunlight contains UV radiation which naturally inactivates viruses, so being outdoors in purified fresh air is safer for activities. Continue to social distancing, self isolation, and stay home till the danger passes.

Richard

PS - masks - wearing one offers some protection by reducing a virus dose that hits you all at once - like someone coughing near you. Small doses or virus are more easily handled by your body, than massive doses. That can buy you time before the infection peak hits you. You will naturally develop immunity about a week after the fever passes - unless you have other pre-exisiting conditions that don't allow you to develop a strong immune response. In really severe cases, some persons could could suffer long term lung damage and reduction of lung function after you recover - you'll be short breath more easily with even normal activities. That weaken state could subject you to more frequent illnesses.

“Social dancers know, that somehow, when it is dark enough,

we can see the stars and we still have hope.”

Minimum wage people do not invest their money. They can buy food, and who gets the money? The food people and what do they do with their money? They get to pay their bills too.Very few will invest it. Minimum wage people buy clothes and who gets the money? Same thing. The Clothing people and very few will invest it. They pay their rent and somebody gets the money and a few will invest it. It will eventually get to the top but we have done something for the economy and our fellow humans on this earth. Trickle Up Theory?

"Morning Dew" by Melveen Leed 

No, we don't know

Social Club, Dance Studios, Night Clubs, must prepare their businesses. All dance officers and business owners should be aware of the ramifications of Covid 19 on dancing, with information about everything from, from closing, to sick leave to sanitizing your space. The simplest thing to do immediately is just shutting down to the end of the month.You will have time to study the situation with much more correct information. And then make better decisions.

Social dancers believe that Hope is that little voice you hear whisper

"Maybe" when it seems like the whole world is saying "No."