Paso Doble Anyone?

On March 16, 1997, at the age of 14, Julián Lopez Escobar made his bullfighting debut in Texcoco, Mexico. He finished with a standing ovation and received two ears. In bullfighting, the detached ears of the dead bull(s) are trophies, which are awarded for an above average bullfight.

Approximately one year later, on September 18, 1998, Julián received

his "alternativa" in Nîmes, France.

This marked the passage from being a novillero to a full-fledged matador de toros (senior bullfighter). At age 15, he was the youngest professional bullfighter in the history of the Bullfighting sport.

"The Toreador Song" from the Opera Carmen

Julián led a toast to his father, a former novillero forced into retirement after losing his right eye in a bullfight. By the age of 17, Julián had grown to become the highest-paid bullfighter in history. Not only did his good looks and affluent background popularize him, but his skills in the ring were unmatched. Well known throughout Europe too.

"People stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up
and hurry off as if nothing happened."

But Things are looking good for Cinco de Mayo block parties on Oahur. Would be a slam dunk with a little more publicity. Kapolei would have been perfect except that the Rail Catastrophe is goofing everything up already. Chinatown is about the best. Difficult for me to get enough information, I only have the Internet.

Dancing

Social dancing on Oahu is shaping up very nicely. The dancers are beginning to realize that they can find a place where theu can dance with the freedom to drink whatever they damn well please. "I'll have a lemonade, please." And not feel like they are not wanted and just excess baggage. And not many dancers have been against cover charges. But they know what they want, not what someone else wants them to want. And they are making adjustments on both sides. And then Social Dancing may explode with action. But we can all leave the last century in the last century.

"Social Dancers know that they learn how to listen to the music
and make the best moves to enjoy it.".

This is the twenty first, and the game is going to be played by the cultural dancer's rules or not played at all. The music for this century will be Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha and Swing, fixed throughout the night. Ah yes, a little Line dance, Tango, Samba, Salsa, Bachata, why not? This is social, you name it! We don't have anyone in Washington D C or wherever dictating our dance. And most everyone will be able to dance with others in the most sociable of manners. I believe that we learn by practice.

"My Molokai Woman" by Willie K

 
Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living.... In each it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes the shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes in some area an athlete of God. - - The Chinese are making great strides in Public Transportation. The entire world is looking for ways to get the drivers of vehicles off the streets and highways and onto Public Transportation. You are not going to do it the way it is being done in Honolulu. Auwe!

“Social Dancers believe that grief will not change you, but it may reveal you.”

BYOB

BYOB on Oahu is an acronym concerning alcohol that means "bring your own booze". BYOB is mostly placed on a Notice to indicate that the host will not be providing alcohol and that customers are welcome to bring their own. This is because the establishment itself does not have license to sell alcohol. Some restaurants and business establishments (especially in areas where liquor licenses are difficult to obtain) allow patrons to bring their own bottle, sometimes subject to fees. For a restaurant with a general license, BYOB is legal in every island, and restaurants don't need to obtain a special license.

"Social Dance can teach us a lot about life."

Hawaii allows customers to bring their own bottles even into restaurants that have full liquor licenses. While it's rarely done, some restaurants discourage it by charging hefty corkage fees that can run as high as $30. Smaller neighborhood restaurants usually don't charge a corkage fee, or, if they do, it's minimal. Most will happily provide glasses and a bucket of ice. But there are many of the same restrictions imposed on establishments with liquor licenses, such as the hours that liquor can be served.

"City Lights" by Loyal Garner

The estimated insurance would cost an additional $11,000 with a liquor license. So far, the BYOB concept has worked very nicely on Oahu. Customers bring their own bottles of wine to enjoy with plates of delicious food of their choice. The same bottle of wine at a restaurant can cost three times more than it would at the store. On the other hand, many restaurateurs say they believe they have to provide alcoholic beverages for customers. Drinks can generate about 25 percent of revenue for the owner. And some restaurants have a full bar every day of the week. So let us go with the flo.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, dancers can change

dancing on Oahu. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday Luncheon at Ken and Lynette's Home. sending pics. by Iphone.

At Lynette and Ken's home.

Good Food -- Wonderful company

Stella, Me, Bill -- Ken, Lynette and Lassie

Thanks to my neice, Yvonne.

A Social

On Oahu, most social dance clubs have a "Social" about once a month, It is a wonderful way to practice new moves with other students and instructors. Parties are relaxed and casual and in West Oahu, they are focused on fun with zero stress. They play great music that includes all the ballroom dance styles and in addition they offer West Coast Swing, Night Club 2 step, Salsa and Bachata. No matter what your skill level, you’re welcome to join. Come dance with your fellow dancers! No partner necessary.

"Social dancers believe that Dancing is not just Dancing.

It may be a Magic something that sets you free." 

We have been so fortunate to get some good photos from some of the Socials I have been invited to. I make collages of six photos each and about three collages is the limit. So I have enough for several other blogs. And the hits on the counters go through the roof. Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club is leading in this department, with a large portion of the photos coming from Maile Yagi. I still leave it up to somebody to email just a few photos of any dance gang, at any location and any occasion. Can anyone guess the impact on any of our blogs for our readers, friends, neighbors and fellow dancers? Of course we must understand if you do not wish to share with our readers. that decision is strictly up to you.

"Molokai Waltz" by Amy Hanaiallii

We are still getting more readers every day and I look forward to this coming Saturday in Wahiawa. I will take my camera and pass it around. Who ever gets it can take six to ten pictures whatever and the next person can do the same.  I did not realize at the time, but everyone of those picture takers takes pictures of "their friends." Nothing odd about that, very natural and understandable. However, by passing the camera around I get a much more diverse group and those are the "dancers." Mahalo and see you all there, Saturday.

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same,"

A Social

On Oahu, most social dance clubs have a "Social" about once a month, It is a wonderful way to practice new moves with other students and instructors. Parties are relaxed and casual and in West Oahu, they are focused on fun with zero stress. They play great music that includes all the ballroom dance styles and in addition they offer West Coast Swing, Night Club 2 step, Salsa and Bachata. No matter what your skill level, you’re welcome to join. Come dance with your fellow dancers! No partner necessary.

"Social dancers believe that Dancing is not just Dancing.

It may be a Magic something that sets you free." 

We have been so fortunate to get some good photos from some of the Socials I have been invited to. I make collages of six photos each and about three collages is the limit. So I have enough for several other blogs. And the hits on the counters go through the roof. Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club is leading in this department, with a large portion of the photos coming from Maile Yagi. I still leave it up to somebody to email just a few photos of any dance gang, at any location and any occasion. Can anyone guess the impact on any of our blogs for our readers, friends, neighbors and fellow dancers? Of course we must understand if you do not wish to share with our readers. that decision is strictly up to you.

"Molokai Waltz" by Amy Hanaiallii

We are still getting more readers every day and I look forward to this coming Saturday in Wahiawa. I will take my camera and pass it around. Who ever gets it can take six to ten pictures whatever and the next person can do the same.  I did not realize at the time, but everyone of those picture takers takes pictures of "their friends." Nothing odd about that, very natural and understandable. However, by passing the camera around I get a much more diverse group and those are the "dancers." Mahalo and see you all there, Saturday.

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same,"

Social?

By Jerome Malagapo, Kalihi

Street Dance has carried over into Social dancing and most of it is no longer learned in the streets. A century ago, much of it on Oahu had been learned in house parties and local night clubs. And for a person to learn, he or she had to be around friends. It was strictly a social affair. It became somewhat uncomfortable to learn a partner dance if they were accustomed to free dancing in a singular fashion. So the hold became important in the beginning. The general rule was the partners stand about six inches apart

"Social dancers can feel a release of adrenaline when somethings did not work

and suddenly they are moving to the music just right."

Later on, it just evolved naturally. Good posture and a firm hold are the two most important features in social dance. A couple will gradually phase into moving as one, striving for a smooth and relaxed motion across the floor. Those that had taken advantage of line dancing already had an appreciation of the music and the many steps and movements to each style of music. So partner dancing becomes the learning of good hold position, and learning the lead and follow. Yes, there is a slight difference in each one of those sectors.

"Cool Water" ... Vaughn Monroe

My neice, Yvonne, my cousin, Juanita and my cousin, Stella

However, you will have good and bad examples all around you. Take a good look, you can learn a lot from just looking. One looks sloppy, you don't want to do. One looks nice, you want to do. That is cultural dancing. An added feature for learning is at one of your local social dance clubs. Besides learning new movements, you will be practicing your "hold," and you will both get better and more relaxed with time. Meeting new people is icing on the cake and you will find the whole process enjoyable as you progress from beginner to intermediate.

You will realize that this is "biggah than the bode of us."