Wanna Learn The Quick Step?

Then read on the following e-mail from Prez Glenn Okazaki of USA Dance Honolulu................



Hi All,
Next Saturday’s class will be the Quick Step. Class starts on Saturday, August 6 and continues on August 13. Classes begins the same time and at the same place. See poster for the specifics on venue and costs. It will be an exciting amalgamation of runs, pepper-pots and chasse’s, by special request.

I think it goes something like……hopity, hopity, jump, skip and hop.
See you there at the Quick Step. I know all of you will love this run.

Glenn Okazaki
USA Dance Honolulu

A Gentle Reminder

Friday August 5 is rapidly approaching and this is a gentle reminder that BANTAY BATA at the Pacific Beach Hotel is just around the corner. Last years fundraiser was a sellout which was filled with entertainment and exhibition dancing. Many local celebrities and a sparkling array of local showcase dancers were on hand. Tickets to DANCING IN PARADISE PROJECT FOR BANTAY BATA are presale and no tickets will be sold at the door. Last years Bantay Bata was a huge success that I've included photos of some of the key people that made it so.

Fall 2011 Session @Ali'iolani CSA

The Summer 2011 Session CSA Ballroom Dancing classes came to a close last week and now Lani and I are looking forward to our Fall 2011 Session at Ali'iolani CSA. We had decided to close the Kaiser CSA dance class for the Fall and open a Monday night dance class at Ali'iolani CSA. Our Summer Session Wednesday night Kaiser CSA and Thursday night Ali'iolani CSA classes were a mixture of Absolute Beginners and Advanced students. So we decided with the approval of the higher-ups at the Kaimuki CSA Complex to open an Absolute Beginners Dance Class on Monday amd continue our Thursday night class with Beginners-Intermediate students. As in the past, numbers in enrollment play a big part on whether a class will be held or will be cancelled. So far, our classes have been in the Green Zone.

Hawaii Star Ball/USA Dance Honolulu

Aloha,
Hawaii Star Ball is right around the corner and USA Dance is reserving tables for Wednesday evening, September 28. On that evening Victor Fung and Anastasia Muravyeva will be doing a 5-dance International Ballroom Show. If you are not familiar with Victor and Anastasia, they are world finalists and ranked #3 in the world. I have seen their latest show and let me tell you, it is exciting and captivating and will keep you in awe.

If you would like to sit at a USA Dance table for this event, please email me. This is for Wednesday evening on September 28. Cost for the evening 7 course Chinese dinner, show & competition is $95 per person. (I believe that it is a buffet dinner.)

Aloha,
Glenn Okazaki
USA Dance Honolulu

(Left click on photo to zoom in)

Dinner and Dance @Hale Ikena

Aloha Students of Dance,
The new dance organization Dance Magic 808 is hosting their second Social Dance on Thursday August 28 at Hale Ikena, Ft. Shafter. It's an informal affair to dine, dance, and socializing with friends. No problem on getting entrance into Ft. Shafter. All you'll need is driver's license for ID and a current auto insurance card. Here's Lynn's e-mail for more info.
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Hi All,
We are again having our social dance at Hale Ikena (airconditioned) and if you are available and would like to join us, please email us or give us a call. It's open to our students, friends, and their friends.

If you are coming, we would like to know if you plan to have the Mongolian Dinner (65 cents an ounce) which includes a choice of either white rice, brown rice, fried rice, or noodles and ice cream or if you would like to order something from Mulligan's, see the attached menu. For those of you who weren't here for our first social dance, there is no pressure to purchase a meal. If you want something to eat, you can purchase it from Hale Ikena or Mulligan's. It's just a nice informal setting to have dinner and dance.

We would like to know in advance so that the staff at Hale Ikena can be better prepared this time to handle our crowd. The last time we had approximately 110 people in attendance. We also need to know how many tables and chairs to set up. We might have to limit the number of people so if you plan on coming, please advise us asap. It'll be on first come basis.

Date: Thursday, July 28, 2011
Dining starts from 5:00 pm - 7:30pm
General Dancing from 5:30 pm - 8:45 pm or maybe until 9 pm
Short exhibitions from the students and solo exhibitions from a couple of instructors

Our friends, Derek & Keiko Oh will be bringing their Japan fund-raising bags for those of you who ordered the bags and will bring extra for those of you who would like to purchase one. It's a really cute bag. The cost of the bag is $10 and that amount will go towards their fund-raising efforts to help the people of Japan. Derek & Keiko are spending their own funds to bring the bags to you and are not making anything from the sale of the bags. Thank you Derek & Keiko for your efforts and kindness to help the people of Japan.

This will be a very informal evening with lots of fun, good food, great company, and lots of dancing.

If you've already advised us, you can disregard this message.

See you soon.
Richard & Lynn
cell 372-2256 (Lynn)

Hawaii Gardenia Circle Grand Ball

It's being billed as Hawaii Gardenia Circle (HGC) Grand Ball, but it is also the HGC 20th Anniversary Dance at the Palladium on August 27. Gosh, it's been nearly two months since making small talk with Gayle K. and Reggie G. Last time was in May in Las Vegas for the IBDI Dance Extravaganza. Anyway, HGC have a Mock Competition on tap featuring International Standard and American Smooth. Should be a thriller showcasing both styles of dancing. For more info and ticket sales, please contact Gayle K. at 223-8052.
(Left click on poster to zoom in)

Dancing for Health & Wellness at Divino Ritmo's D-DAY at the CUPOLA!

Aloha Students of Dance,
Divino Ritmo Social Dance moves to Wednesday, July 27...for this month. Check out the e-mail and article sent from my friend Marie Laderta. Photo courtesy of Yanna Samkova.
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Hiya Frank:
Thank you once again for the opportunity and for the helping hand to get the word out. Unbelievable, I am ahead of schedule! Here it is, the Cupola Article:

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Divino Ritmo jumps on this month's National Dance Day band wagon at its CUPOLA social dance next WEDNESDAY, July 27th, 7-10pm.

Cupola is on the 2nd floor of the Honolulu Design Center, corner of Piikoi & Kapiolani, at 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. As always, admission is FREE with ono grinds and drink available for purchase throughout the evening!

"So You Think You Can Dance" Executive Producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe has declared July 31 to be National Dance Day. The idea of National Dance Day is to bring about public awareness and attention to dancing as a medium to promote better health and wellness nationwide! The National Dance Day initiative focuses on encouraging the nation, young and old, individuals, families, organizations and communities to come together through the creative expression in dance and body movement!


But don't be confused. While the official day declared is July 31, Lucas & Yanna are
celebrating National Dance Day on WEDNESDAY, July 27th, and NOT on their usual Tuesday. It will be back on Tuesdays again in August. Just for this month, their social dance will be on Wednesday.

Nigel Lythgoe has said that the goal is to "prove that the Power of Dance can MOVE an entire country! So we urge you to get off your okoles and put on those dancing shoes and hele on down to the Cupola next Wednesday to shake them booties.....

WARNING:......this dance may be addictive and may contribute to a contagious Joy in your health and well-being! So, are you inspired to dance for this day? It's hard to deny dancing is fun and one of the best forms of exercise! Come and be infected by the joy & wellness of dance at the Cupola next week and have a good work-out at the same time!

For more information, contact:
Lucas: divinoritmo@aol.com, ph: (917) 568-3173;
Yanna: Yannajs@gmail.com, ph: (732) 499-0407

USA Dance Mock Competition

Bantay Bata's "Burn The Floor"

WOW! Another HOT venue coming up in August at the Pacific Beach Hotel. It's a worthy fundraiser for Bantay Bata. Lani and I attended last year's Bantay Bata Dinner and Dance and it was a scorcher...a real Hot one. This year's "Dancing In Paradise Project for Bantay Bata 163" is expected to "Burn The Floor" also on August 5th. All tickets to this event are Pre-sale...no tickets sold at the door. So if you want to be part of this worthy cause please contact Buffy at 284-2395, Paz at 428-3308, Marie at 222-3721, or Lynn at 372-2258.

Maraming Salamat to my friend Marie Laderta for providing the following info:

Hi Frank:
Finally, I have the write-up for Bantay Bata and a photo to go with it which I am sending under a separate email.
Many thanks for you support in promoting this fundraiser.
I hope you and Lani can come as my guests. Let me know your availability. As a small token of apreciation, Paul and I would very much like to host the both of you. I will mail you your tickets once you confirm your availability to attend.
Huge Mahalos again,
Marie


BANTAY BATA's "Burn the Floor" at the Pacific Beach!


On Friday, August 5th, 2011, the Gonzales Band known to us all as Jesse, Buffy & Jesse, Jr., together with their committee members, Eric Barsatan, Paz & Raffy, Dolores, with friends Paul & Marie Laderta, will be hosting this year's "Burn the Floor" to raise money for the children of the Philippines.

This year's Bantay Bata fundraiser will be held again at the Pacific Beach Hotel. Doors will open at 6:00pm. Tickets are $55 each including dinner and show, and can be purchased from the Gonzales at phone numbers: 926-4414 or 284-2395, or from Marie Laderta at: 222-3721.

Bantay Bata means "child watch" in the Filipino language, and this non-profit organization's international flagship program is dedicated to fundraising to benefit the children who suffer from malnutrition and child abuse. The Bantay Bata is largely a child abuse rescue operation that responds to an average of 15,300 calls for assistance per year. The program assists more than 21,000 children and families in relocation communities and feeds at least 4,400 severely malnourished children. Last year, thanks to many of your generous support, Bantay Bata Hawaii raised $5,000. Our goal this year is to exceed that.

When people like YOU in our dance community take what they love to do, ie. dancing, and choose to do it for a good cause, it makes the act of giving more meaningful. It is our hope that your participation and support of this fundraiser will bring more awareness to the plight of these needy children.

Please join us on August 5th for Bantay Bata's "Burn the Floor!"

IBDI 50th Anniversary Dance @The Palladium

Gotta thank Marsha for shining more light on the IBDI 50th Anniversary Dance at the Palladium on Saturday August 20. Here's a treat for those who cannot make it to the Pacific Beach Hotel on Friday, August 19....


Hi Frank,
Thank you so much for promoting IBDI.
Just a small correction to your info about the IBDI 50th Anniversary.
The Saturday, Aug 20th dance is also a 50th Anniversary Dance with the Japanese Professionals and heavy pupus catered by Tsukiji for a steal at $10.00!! Great opportunity at an affordable cost for many retirees on fixed incomes and others who are unable to afford $65.00 (or more like $130.00 with a spouse or date). It won't have the ambiance of the hotel but it'll be a great event.
Smiles,
Marsha

So What's Cooking @IBDI?

Well the heat was on last night at Renna's and Sergio's Samba Variation dance class (at least for me and maybe a few others) in the Palladium's Ewa Ballroom. Trying to imitate their moves in an uncharted territory gave me some trying moments. The spirit was willing but the legs were rebelling. Fortunately for Lani and me Sergio and Renna are excellent instructors and the remaining 10 minutes time got me back on track. Whew! Talk about surviving a wringer on the sixth lesson. Next week Monday will be our last lesson for this term and then the Student Party the week after.
Coming up for the next (4th) Term will be:


And no forget IBDI 50th Anniversary Ball at the Pacific Beach Hotel on August 19 and a replay on August 20 at the Palladium. Got some Professional Dancers from Japan to perform in the Showcase at both venues. For more info and ticket sales, you can contact
Renna at: (808)284-3619,
Marsha at: marshanino@yahoo.com,
Lynn at: travelynn@hotmail.com,
Grace at: (808)348-8337 or (808)680-7838

Kauai Ballroom Dance Club 7th Anniversary Ball

Aloha Students of Dance,
Just got this e-mail and poster from Ellen Kitabayashi of Kauai. The Kauai Ballroom Dance Club is hosting their 7th Anniversary Ball, October 22nd on the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai. If you're island hopping in October, here's one venue you'd want to journey to. Lani and I met Ellen and her husband Ken at the IBDI Las Vegas Dance Extravaganza in May. They both are dance instructors for the Kauai Ballroom Dance Club (Lihue Chapter) on Kauai and are not strangers to Honolulu dancers. They have brought their dance formation team to participate in showcases for some of Honolulu's dance clubs' anniversary balls. Here's what she wrote..............

Hi Frank:

Finally our poster for our Anniversary is ready. Could you please put it in your blog for us. If anybody wants tickets, they could email me. Lynn Nakamura also has tickets for our ball.

Thank you for advertising our ball.
Ellen Kitabayashi

ed note: You can contact Ellen at: ellen.kitabayashi@hawaiiantel.net
and Lynn at: (808) 372-2256
(left click on poster to zoom in)

IBDI Monthly Social Dance

More Info on Upcoming Events 2011

Aloha Students of Dance. Here's more light on some of the dance events scheduled for 2011 and submitted by my friends Richard and Lynn Nakamura. Please take note on the introduction of the new dance group: DANCE MAGIC 808. Dance Magic 808 have International style and American style dance classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights at Hale Ikena in FT. Shafter. Please contact Lynn for more info on the dance classes.
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Upcoming Events for 2011

Please try to make it to some or all of the functions/events listed below. It’ll be a lot of fun and you can try out the steps you’ve learned or just come as a spectator. There is no pressure to dance. We just want everyone to have a lot of fun.

Thursday, July 28 – Dance Magic 808 End of Class Social Dance at Hale Ikena, Ft. Shafter (more details later) Save this date. There will be some exhibitions by the students & instructors and general dancing. If you want, you can purchase a meal or snack or drinks or just come for the dancing.

Friday, July 1 - IBDI Social Dance at Palladium /Cost $3.00 for members & $6.00 for non-members. Good time to practice what you've learned. We'll be there if you need help. We have to practice too.

Saturday, July 9 & Friday, July 22 - Pan Pacific Social Dance at Palladium /Cost $3.00 for members & $6.00 for non-members. Come out and dance. We'll be there if you have questions. We'll be practicing for July 23.

Saturday, July 23 – USA Dance "Mock Competition (Latin & Ballroom)" at Palladium. Cost $8 in advance/$10 at the door. Ed & Candy Matsuda and Richard & Lynn Nakamura will be participating in the mock competition. It'll be an exciting evening with the mock competition dancers in their sexy latin outfits & beautiful ballgowns. Please come out and support us and USA Dance.
See Lynn Nakamura (372-2256) for tickets or email Lynn at travelynn@hotmail.com

Friday, August 5 – Bantay Bata Dance (Fundraiser for Orphans in the Philippines) Location: Pacific Beach Hotel – cost $55.00 Time: 6:00 pm - ? /dinner buffet, exhibitions, & general dancing. Please come and support this worthy cause. We would like to make at least a table or two.
Richard & Lynn Nakamura will be performing a solo quickstep.
See Lynn Nakamura (372-2256) for tickets or email Lynn at travelynn@hotmail.com

Friday, August 19 – IBDI 50th Anniversary Ball at Pacific Beach Hotel – cost $65.00 Time: 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm Dinner Buffet, Showcase by Professional Dancers from Japan, General Dancing. Some IBDI members come to our classes. Let's attend this dance function and give them our support. We are taking names to make up the tables. See Lynn Nakamura (372-2256) for tickets or email Lynn at travelynn@hotmail.com.

Saturday, August 20 – IBDI Social Dance at the Palladium / Cost $10.00. Please come out and support IBDI.

Saturday, August 27 - Hawaii Gardenia Circle "Mock Competition" at the Palladium. Save this date, more details forthcoming. Richard & Lynn Nakamura will be participating in this mock competition and ask for your support of them and for Hawaii Gardenia Circle Dance Club.

Friday, October 28 – Pan Pacific’s 37th Anniversary Ball at Pacific Beach Hotel – cost $55.00 Time: 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm Dinner Buffet, Exhibitions, General Dancing. Their president attends our classes. Mark your calendar and let's start making some tables for this dance event. Let's support this dance club too. See Lynn Nakamura(372-2256) for tickets or email Lynn at travelynn@hotmail.com

Note: Richard & I (Lynn) are friends with most of the people at the different dance organizations and we like to support them whenever we can. Everyone loves to dance and we want to give our students and friends an opportunity to attend these dances. Just in case you didn't hear about it, our dance group is called Dance Magic 808.