ALOHA BALLROOM DANCE ACADEMY- New Classes

Aloha you lucky Valley Islanders. Here's your opportunity to get into the groove of one of the best exercises to keep yourself young and active. It's one of the good medicine prescribed by reality TV show Dr. Oz. Check it out......

ALOHA BALLROOM DANCE ACADEMY OFFERS
LATIN, TANGO & BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES FOR JANUARY - MARCH 2011


Maui, HAWAII – The Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit features Maui’s ONLY Professionally-Instructed Ballroom & Latin Dance classes, hosts their Registration Night on Wednesday, January 5th to kick off their new dance series for January - March featuring American Tango, Salsa, & Cha-Cha! This evening will feature a pupu potluck as well as social dance and everyone interested in learning to dance is welcome to join this Guinness World Record breaking class! Dance professional, Rita O’Connor, N.D.C.A., will instruct every Wednesday evening in Kihei from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. The total cost for the 3-month course is $50 per person with a 20% OFF Special Discount if registered by January 5th (only $40 per person - less than $1.50 per class)! Open registration throughout the course. No partner necessary! Singles and couples welcome! Teens through adults! Beginners through intermediate dancers take the floor! Classes begin January 12th – students can join anytime! Visit www.alohaballroom.com or call 879-0055 for more information.
ALOHA BALLROOM DANCE ACADEMY OFFERS
LATIN, TANGO & BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES FOR JANUARY - MARCH 2011

This new dance series highlights the ever-popular Club Salsa, the snappy American Tango as well as one of the most fun dances: Cha-Cha - so sign up early to secure a space in these exciting classes! “We are trying to make partnership dancing a fun and social event for both couples and singles,” says Rita O'Connor. “It’s a wonderful way for couples to build upon their relationship and share a new activity together in a relaxing atmosphere. Similarly, singles or those without a dance partner for the evening can enjoy the company of others who want to learn to dance without feeling social pressure to have a steady partner in order to do ballroom dancing.” “Ballroom & Latin dancing has changed with the times,” Rita explains. “The success of “Dancing with the Stars” TV program has prompted a resurgence in Latin & Ballroom dancing. I enjoy featuring contemporary music selections as well as the traditional songs to make it easier for people to recognize a dance. Our students range from young adult to mature adult and crosses all cultural barriers!”

Here's the contact again:: Rita O’Connor, 879-0055, ritaoc@hawaii.rr.com
Dance Professional, National Dance Council of America

The Week That Was In December 2010

After the Dance Hawaii Instructors Appreciation Dinner on Dec. 20 at the Golden Palace, the Instructors Meeting followed on Dec. 23 at the Aliamanu Middle School. It was a semi formal meeting but followed closely according to the Robert's Rules of Order. Highlight of the meeting was the ironing out some wrinkles on the new By-laws and Procedures that govern the actions of the core dance instructors. Presiding was Dance Hawaii Prez Maurice Morita with backup from Vice Prez Jim Brierly. After discussion and inputs by the instructors, the revised By-laws and Procedures was approved and accepted. Instead of using the titles of Dance Director and Assistant Dance Director, Leaders were named. Leading the International Style of Dances are Richard and Lynn Nakamura, and leading the American Style of Dances are Andy and Monica Pascua.
Accepted as teachers in the ballroom instructor core were Patrick Watarai, Lynn Miller, Eric and Naomi Takai, and Eddie Olegario from Line Dance Instructor to Junior Ballroom Dance Instructor under the tutorship of Sally Forges. Also unanimously approved acceptance were Paul Lee, and Chris and Vicky Visoria as Dance Hawaii choreographers. After discussion of other matters, the meeting was adjourned.

On Sunday Dec. 26, Professional Dance Instructor Samir Hana concluded the final week of Cumbia Salsa at the Radford. He had taught at least 15 patterns in this Latin Night Club dance during the past 5 weeks and then added another two patterns during the first hour. We had an ono potluck dinner to honor Samir. The last hour was a review of all the Cumbia patterns Samir had taught. Samir holds private and group lessons at a studio on Dillingham Blvd. For more info please contact Samir Hana at 808-2865923 or e-mail: samirhana@hotmail.com.


Our 1st Quarter dance class at Koko Head School will have visiting dance instructors Robert and Vanelle Hirayasu teaching the Argentine Tango during the first hour. They are excellent teachers and we are fortunate that they have volunteered to bring their brand of Tango to Dance Hawaii Kai and share it with our students.

During the second hour, Lani and I will be teaching the Night Club Merengue. Please come early to register between 6:30 and 7:00 on Tuesday, January 4 at Koko Head School cafeteria.

Spring 2011 Session Schedule

Lani and I just finished the Fall 2010 Session ballroom dance class at Ali'iolani CSA last night. Our students had a two-week break due to a holiday and a Christmas Parade in Kaimuki. It turned out to be a good night of dance steps review of the Waltz and the Samba. We had time to teach a new pattern in the Waltz during the first hour, and a new pattern in the Samba during the second hour. Some of the patterns needed going over several times but that didn't faze the students. What really mattered is that they tried their best and what was more gratifying to Lani and me is that all of them went home smiling and happy at the end of the session.

The poster is just for info. The CSA has a minimum enrollment requirement of 24 students for each dance class. If the minimum is not met, then there will be no dance classes. If you plan to enroll, please do so during the registration timeline to be counted.

PSA - NON-PROFIT FREE HOLIDAY DANCE EVENT

Strictly for those lucky dancers who are on the Valley Isle or planning to be there on December 22nd. PSA - NON-PROFIT - FREE HOLIDAY DANCE EVENT & Donations for Keiki from Homeless Resource Centers & Family Life Centers (Left click on poster to zoom in)...........


FREE HOLIDAY DANCE EVENT HOSTED BY ALOHA BALLROOM DANCE ACADEMY AND GIFT DONATIONS FOR KIEKI AT HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTERS AND FAMILY LIFE CENTER ACCEPTED

Maui, HAWAII – The Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy, Maui’s world record holder and largest, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational Ballroom & Latin dance organization hosts a FREE Holiday Event open-to-the-public (adults only) on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 combined with their annual donation drive for wrapped gifts benefitting the keiki of the Hale A Ke Ola, Wailuku and Na Hale O, Lahaina Homeless Resource Centers and Family Life Center, Wailuku!

Professional Dance Instructor, Rita O'Connor (Co-Founder) will teach 2 FREE Dance Classes, followed by a FREE Dance Party at the Kihei Community Center from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm! There will be FREE Performances and FREE Refreshments, too! Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy is Co-Sponsored by the South Maui Parks & Recreation Department. Appropriate Attire Required. Everyone's encouraged to bring a wrapped gift for a Keiki ages 1 to 17 years old with the gift tag specify gender and age appropriateness. Gifts will be opened on Christmas morning by Keiki at various shelters throughout Maui!

For more information about the Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy contact Rita O’Connor at ritaoc@hawaii.rr.com or call 879-0055!

Do You Want To Dance Part 3

New Year 2011 is starting off with a BANG at the Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom featuring Dance Hawaii 2nd Anniversary & Charity Ball on January 15, and Al Franz Showcase following on January 16. This is a headsup so you can get an early start to purchase your tickets for these two events which features Social Dancing, Exhibitions, Ono Ono Buffet Dinner, Entertaining Showcases, and more. (Left click on poster to zoom in)


To purchase tickets to Dance Hawaii 2nd Anniversary & Charity Ball, please contact Prez Maurice Morita at cellphone 225-0326.

















To purchase tickets to Al Franz Showcase, please contact Gayle Kawahakui at email: gaylekawahakui@aol.com or Dance Hawaii Prez Maurice Morita at cellphone 225-0326.

Do You Want To Dance Part 2

Midweek dancing continues at the Dole Ballroom with BUMP ON THE HUMP featuring the Augie Rey Trio. Not quite in the vein of nightclub genre but more good taste of Social Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing. Wednesday December 15. Admission $5.00 Happy Hour at 5PM. Live music 6:30-9PM.

DANCE HAWAII CHRISTMAS SOCIAL DANCE ON DECEMBER 18TH AT ALIAMANU MIDDLE SCHOOL FROM 7 TO 10 P.M. Bring a $10.00 Grab-Bag Gift. MUSIC DJ WILL BE PAUL LEE.
For FURLOUGH FRIDAY ON DECEMBER 17TH, RADFORD HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT AVAILABLE BUT WE MAY HOST A FURLOUGH FRIDAY SOCIAL DANCE IN CENTRAL HONOLULU LOCATION. THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST OUTSIDE OF SALT LAKE AREA.


IBDI Christmas Dance at the Palladium on December 18, 5:30-10PM. General Dancing, Exhibitions, Door Prizes, Refreshments. Presale tickets $8 (includes bento). $8 at the door (no bento).



IBDI New Year's Eve Dance at the Pacific Beach Hotel December 31, 6PM-MIdnight. Buffet Dinner, Dancing, Favors. Tickets $60.

Stay tuned for January 2011 schedule of dance events coming soon.

Do You Want To Dance?

Appears this month is gonna have more dance events than you can shake a stick at. Topping the list is Dance Hawaii "Come Dance With Us" social dance at the Aliamanu Middle School this Saturday (12/4) 6:30-10PM. Good place to practice your dancing skills and socialize with friends and make new friends.

DANCE HAWAII "COME DANCE WITH US" SOCIAL DANCE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010
ALIAMANU MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
7:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M.
MUSIC DJ: MR. REGGIE GASCON
MONETARY DONATIONS TO BENEFIT ALIAMANU MIDDLE SCHOOL
BRING YOUR FAVORITE PUPU DISH
DANCE HAWAII TO PROVIDE ALL SERVING UTENSILS; PAPER GOODS; AND DRINKS
PLEASE JOIN US!


Headlining at the Palladium on December 3 is Dance USA Honolulu featuring guest Professional dancers Mikhail Avdeev and Olga Blinova.





HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all, and hope you have a wonderful, and SAFE, holiday season!
This month, we have only (2) public gigs...the rest are all private.
Wed. 12/08.....Dole Cannery's "Bump On The Hump" (6:30-9:00 p.m.)
Thu. 12/23.....St. Louis Alumni (6:30-10:00 p.m.)
***Please note, start times may be delayed on our weekday jobs. We all have day jobs, so we try to get to our gigs as fast as we can to setup and start playing, but sometimes it just does not work out that way, so we appreciate your patience and kindness!)
Love from me & da boyz,
Doreen


Divino Ritmo 2nd Annual Grand Ball & Showcase featuring WEST SIDE STORY at the Sheraton Waikiki on December 10. Yanna Samkova and Lucas Jaime will have special guests Professional dancers Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow showcasing in this event.

And if you can't make it to the Sheraton, there's Dance Hawaii Furlough Friday Social Dance at the Radford on December 10 from 6:30-10PM.

Rounding up the first two weeks of December is Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society Christmas Dance at the Palladium on December 11. Presale tickets $8 ($10 at the door).
Bento (served at 5:30PM), Exhibitions, Door Prizes.

Stay tuned for more dance events scheduled for this month and New Years Eve.

Health Benefits of Ballroom Dancing and More Revisited

I had this blog posted way back when I was riding high on my once owned Dancing In The Dark earlier this year. I'm publishing it again to give tribute to Dance Hawaii Kai Registra Stanley Akamine who is leaving for a greener pasture with bruddah site Dance Honolulu in January 2011. We're looking for a volunteer to fill his big shoes before the Dance Hawaii Kai classes start in early January. As I mentioned in my previous blog, Dance Hawaii is the poorest dance club on this island because all the monies collected for the dance classes is donated to the schools that Dance Hawaii hold classes. The dance instructors are all volunteers and don't get any pay. If interested in the Registra's job, please contact Maurice Morita at cel 225-0326. He can fill you in on what's to be done. And now the blog..........


Boy! I thought I read it all in this morning Honolulu Advertiser...you know...the article on "Exercise at least 1 hour a day....or the Fat wins" Then I opened my e-mail and Stan (da man Akamine) so kindly shared the following "The Health Benefits of Dancing -- Including Specific Benefits of Different Dances" written by SixWise....... Now most of us dancers are akamai to this kine thought but if not, then lend an ear. Otherwise, somewhere sometime down da road da Fat wins and Stan da man goin' say, "I told you so!" And dat's an auwe to da max!


(So) if you secretly sashay across your living room when you're home alone or long to cha-cha with your significant other, you're in luck. Not only is dancing an exceptional way to let loose and have fun, but it also provides some terrific benefits for your health. In fact, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to: Reduce stress, Increase energy, Improve strength, Increase muscle tone and coordination.


Dancing the night away can burn more calories per hour than riding a bike or swimming. And whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, classical or country, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that dancing can: Lower your risk of coronary heart disease, Decrease blood pressure, Help you manage your weight, Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips.


Specific Benefits of Different Dances
If you're looking for specific health results, here's a breakdown of the benefits of some popular dances. Just remember that any type of dancing is better than no dancing at all!


Belly Dancing
Improved posture and muscle toning
Maintains flexibility
Helps prevent lower back problems
Tones and firms arms and shoulders
Helps with weight loss
Helps prepare women for childbirth
Reduces stress


Dancing Off Those Calories
How many calories will you burn while dancing? That depends on the type of dancing. Here's a range of some of the most popular varieties, based on a 150-pound person, per hour:
Swing dancing: 235 calories/hour
Ballroom dancing: 265
Square dancing: 280
Ballet: 300
Belly dancing: 380
Salsa dancing: 420+
Aerobic dancing: 540+


Ballroom Dancing
Conditions the body
Helps keep the heart in shape
Builds and increases stamina
Develops the circulatory system
Strengthens and tones legs and body
Increases flexibility and balance
Helps with weight loss
Relieves stress


Salsa Dancing
Builds endurance and stamina
Helps with weight loss
Relieves stress
Helps you release toxins via sweating
May help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
Can lead to a reduced heart rate over time


Square Dancing
Provides cardiovascular conditioning
May lead to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and an improved cholesterol profile
Strengthens bones
Helps you develop strong social ties
Loosens and tones muscles

Physical benefits aside, dancing has a way of brightening up a person's day, says ballroom owner and operator Karen Tebeau. "A lot of times, when people come into the studio, it's because there's been a change in their life: a divorce or they've been through a period of depression. They (continue) coming in, and you see a big change. After a while, they're walking in with a sunny expression. You know it's the dancing that's doing that," she says.