Aloha Dancers,
Divino Ritmo Dance Studio is hosting their last Tuesday of the month social dance at the Cupola. I got the following e-mail from my dear friend Marie Laderta. You gotta love this gal 'cause whenever she writes, there's a storytime history...so go on and relish it. And when you're at the Cupola, please check over Paul Laderta's artistic masterpieces...the August Moon centerpieces.
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As always, much appreciated, and mahalo so much for putting this out there for us!
Marie
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August Moon at the CUPOLA
Legends say that the moon is brightest and roundest on the 15th day of the 8th moon, around the time of the autumn equinox. Legends, particularly Chinese, Malay, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Thai and Filipino also sometimes refer to the celebration of the full moon as Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival. In the Western tradition, it is also called the Hunter's Moon or Harvest Moon.
Under this bright Autumn moon, Lucas & Yanna invite you to join them and their Divino Ritmo Dance ohana, at their social dance this Tuesday, August 30th, 7-10pm at the CUPOLA! Cupola is on the 2nd floor of the Honolulu Design Center, corner of Piikoi & Kapiolani, at 1250 Kapiolani Blvd.
Admission and parking are FREE and it's open to the public, with pupus and drinks available for purchase all evening!
Most enthusiastically celebrated by the Chinese and incorporated in China as one of their public holidays, the "Moon Festival" (as commonly called by the Chinese) is celebrated by Chinese and others all over the world in a variety of regional and cultural customs. Common customs include eating moon cakes, gazing at the moon, carrying brightly lit lanterns, lighting lanterns on towers, floating sky lanterns, burning incense in reverence to the deities, barbecues with family and friends and of course DANCING, typically Fire Dragon Dances.
There are many stories and folk tales about the moon maiden and the Lady on the Moon who is reunited with her lover and husband once a year on this day of the fullest moon. Typically, the Moon Festival is known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day in thanksgiving. Those who cannot return home would gaze at the bright moonlight, reminisce and feel deep longing for their loved ones. Chinese poets have written about long lost lovers finding their way to each other, their path illuminated by the bright moonlight.
There is a famous Chinese poem written about this that I memorized as a child:
"The bright moon hangs above my bed...
The snow scattered on the ground...
I raise my head & gaze upon the bright moon...
Lowering my head, I long for my loved ones and my home..."
(Loosely translated by me)
So, please join us on Tuesday, August 30th at the CUPOLA, a day set
aside to dance, feast & celebrate in Divino Ritmo style the making &
renewal of friendships, of romantic rendezvous, and good ol' Hawaiian Aloha and Ohana!
For more information, contact:
Lucas: divinoritmo@aol.com, ph: (917) 568-3173;
Yanna: Yannajs@gmail.com, ph: (732) 499-0407
