A Quick Look on The Wasabi for January

The WASABI Band still on fire and blazing through the month of January 2012. Get a load of Doreen's e-mail.
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Line Dancing with Sandy Zook

Okay, Line Dancers, here's your calling to shine and slap those boots before saying adios to 2011. Friend Sandy Zook has got the Palladium locked in this Friday (Dec. 30) 9AM to 2:30PM for Beginners to Intermediate Line Dancing. See her e-mail for more info.

IBDI Inaugural Ball 2012

Aloha Students of Dance,
     If you are holding tickets to the IBDI New Years Dance at the Pacific Beach Hotel for this coming Saturday, you gotta be the lucky ones. I'm not sure if there are anymore tickets floating around at this late date but you can try contact any IBDI member. If not successful, then there is still time to get on board for the IBDI Inaugural Ball at the Pacific Beach on January 20, 2012. Scan over Lynn Nakamura's e-mail that follows or bettah yet...contact her for tickets.............

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Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
from: Frank & Lani

Well, another year is almost pau and it's time to wish everyone "Hau'oli Makahiki Hou" and good health for the coming new year. Also a time to start crafting a new year resolution. It's been a whirlwind 2011 for Lani and me. We've met many new faces who have become our friends (we hope they regard us as their friends also) during our journey to promote ballroom dancing. I was in deep thoughts while scrounging for a genuine resolution for 2012 but then I began thinking...hey! we had fun in 2011 and if it ain't broke, no need to fix it. The new year is a good time to think about the naughty things (couldn't think of any at this time) and all the nice things we did during the past year. Now, Lani and I gotta trust we have the strength to continue to do all the nice things and still have fun in 2012.

Ringing In The New Year with Divino Ritmo

 Aloha Students of Dance,

Photo of Lucas Jaime
courtesy Marie Laderta

    Divino Ritmo is welcoming the New Year with their year-end Social Dance at the Cupola this Tuesday. Good time to say farewell to the Rabbit and get in tune with the mighty Dragon. There's more thunder coming from my friend Marie Laderta. So read on--------
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Dance Magic 808 Dance Classes

Frank's note: Please surf to Dance Magic 808 website for Registration Forms. Mahalo.
                     Left click to zoom in.

Starlight Dance Party and More hosted by Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy

Aloha Students of Dance. If you are or planning to be on the Valley Isle on December 21, you might want to contact Dance Professional Rita O'Connor for more info on the Starlight Dance Party and the Christmas Morning Special. (see e-mail address and phone number at end of this blog) Photos by Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy.

Maui, Hawaii –Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy hosts an evening with Dance Professional, Rita O'Connor and a FREE night of dance classes in Salsa & Quickstep starting at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. The "Starlight Dance" after-party starts at 8:00 pm saying "good-bye" to 2011 and "hello" to the upcoming arrival of 2012! The entire evening is FREE and open to the adult community!

This gala evening event at the Kihei Community Center is a pupu potluck and everyone's encouraged to participate! You don't need to dress up, but if you'd like to be in festive-wear, please feel free to do so! The educational 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dance school welcomes outside financial donations to continue to support their efforts to bring professional instruction in partnership dancing to the island of Maui. Mayor Alan Arakawa previously commented: "it's always a treat to learn about another success story in our community - [the Academy] is clearly a testament to the enjoyment your students must find in the Ballroom dancing experience. My congratulations on your accomplishment...!"

Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy Makes Christmas Morning Special for Keiki of Homeless Resource Centers

Maui, Hawaii – As part of Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy's yearlong charitable mission, the non-profit annually hosts a drive for wrapped gifts which are donated to the Ka Hale A Ke Ola and Na Hale O Wainee Homeless Resource Centers so that the children can wake up to the magic of the holiday season! Academy Dance Professional, Rita O'Connor remarks “that for the past ten years, the Academy has provided every needy child at the Homeless Shelter(s) with a gift from Santa.” If anyone from the Maui community would like to make a donation of a wrapped gift for a child at the Homeless Resource Centers, they may bring them to the Kihei Community Center on Wednesday evenings through December 21st.

For more information about the Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy or the “December 21st Holiday Dance Classs & Party,” email ritaoc@hawaii.rr.com or call 879-0055 or visit their website at www.AlohaBallroom.com.

Gary Moore Coming To East Honolulu

From da Leeda of WASABI Oldies Band, Doreen Nakamoto...........

Hey all you fans of good ole rock your socks off dance music by the likes of Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, & Elvis...if you missed seeing Garry's performance with us at Dot's in Wahiawa bcz it was too far a drive for ya, now's your chance! You must've all heard by now that Garry really rocked that stage at Dot's, and the energy was running HIGH that night. Well, here is another opportunity for you to catch Garry in action as he will be stopping by St. Louis Alumni this coming Thursday, December 8th, to grace us with his presence on stage! BTW, it's Garry's birthday that day, and he'll be celebrating with his family, but he's kind enough to share his day with us, so let's all show him the LOVE!!!

Mark that calendar of yours, and come on down to St. Louis Alumni this Thursday, December 8, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. It's gonna be a night to remember!
Love from me & da boyz,
Doreen

P.S. NO FORGET, WE'LL BE AT DOT'S IN WAHIAWA AGAIN THIS COMING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, TOO! This venue is getting to be THE HOT SPOT in Central Oahu, and we love it! Tell one & all to join us there, too!

A Quick Look @IBDI

Aloha Dancers,

       Just a quick reminder of IBDI events for this month and in January. No forget the IBDI Christmas Dance at the Palladium on Saturday December 17 also. Thanks to Nancy Shen and Marsh Ninomiya for sending the info. You might want to surf over to Dance Magic 808 Website for info on an upcoming Dance Workshop in December sponsored by IBDI, too.  Good bio on the dance teacher by Lynn Nakamura.

Last Call For Hawaii's Own Broadway Production

Photo courtesy Marie (center)

Aloha Students of Dance,

   Before I go into the meat of my dear friend Marie's e-mail on "Last Call", here's a call for "Last Tuesday" at the Cupola for November.  Da guys and gals at Divino Ritmo have been busy preparing for the "Big Show" at the Sheraton Waikiki come this Saturday but they haven't forgotten their "last Tuesday" social dance at the Cupola this Tuesday at the Honolulu Design Center. Same good deal.....open to the public and admission is free. Party starts at 7PM and dancing till 10PM.

  Here's Marie's e-mail on "Last Call".............................

Aloha LAST CALL for Hawaii's own BROADWAY Production to Kick Off the Holiday Season!
By Marie Laderta

"THE CALL of BROADWAY," by Divino Ritmo

Folks, we are on our way to sweep you off your feet, we hope. At least that is our goal, to entertain you in the grand ol' Broadway style... Presented by Lucas & Yanna of Divino Ritmo Dance, "Neon Lights," THE CALL OF BROADWAY, in addition to being a chance to showcase the students, is also a dance production aimed at entertaining and razzle-dazzling you! The best adrenaline to kick off your holiday season! Come encourage our students, see the results of their hard work, come dance with us on our floor at the Sheraton Waikiki and let us take you away to 42nd Street!! Lucas & Yanna will top off the evening with their own professional show. Lots of general dancing in between.

WHEN: Saturday, Dec 3rd

WHERE: the Sheraton Waikiki Ballrooms

TIME: 6pm doors open; 7pm sit down dinner; 8:00p Dance Show begins

Tickets: $95 front row/ $85 all other rows (limited tickets left)

For more info contact: Lucas Jaime, (917)568-3173; divinoritmo@aol.com

Yanna Samkova, (732)499-0407; Yannajs@gmail.com

Correction: USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball

Ticket purchase deadline for the USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball has a minor change. See accompanying e-mail from Glenn......

Happy Holidays,
I had previously erred on the last day for purchasing a ticket (Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 30th) to our Classic Holiday Ball in December.The last day to purchase a ticket will be on Tuesday afternoon, Nov 29th.

So hurry and get your tickets ($10 presale w/ dinner) by Tuesday afternoon if you can, or you will be missing out on a fabulous dinner/dance with exhibitions by amateurs from various Honolulu ballroom clubs. Tickets purchased at the door ($10 @ door no dinner) entitle you to an evening of fun and dancing with light refreshment after the show. Dinner will begin at 6:00 pm and will be an epicurean event never to be compared with.

Enjoy the solos, formations and show dance exhibitions performed by our wonderful amateur dancers from Honolulu. As always, come and enjoy the best music and sound system in Honolulu, by USA Dance’s own Dee-J, GaryK. See you at the (USA) dance.
Glenn Okazaki
USA Dance Honolulu

Dance Magic 808 Christmas Party

Hi All,

Poster courtesy Dance Magic 808

You are all invited to attend Dance Magic 808′s 1st Christmas Party at Hale Ikena, Ft. Shafter. Your friends are also invited. Seating is lmited so please rvsp and make payment no later than Friday, Dec. 9.

We would like to recognize all our instructors who taught this year, so if you are available, we hope that you can join us in celebrating and acknowledging our hardworking instructors and all our volunteers.

Dance Magic 808′s 1st Christmas Party

Date: Thursday, December 15, 2011

Place: Hale Ikena, Ft. Shafter

Time: 5:30pm – 9:30pm /dinner from 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Cost: $25 / includes buffet dinner, exhibitions, and lots of general dancing

RVSP and Payment due no later than Friday, Dec. 9, 2011

Music: Henry Rimas

Menu: Tossed Green Salad with Dressing, Macaroni Salad, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Poi, Steamed Rice, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Long Rice, Shoyu Chicken, Kalua Pig, Haupia, Fresh Pineapple, and Coffee & Hot Tea.
You can purchase alcoholic beverages at Mulligan’s Grill & Bar and bring it into the banquet room. There normally is a “Happy Hour” price for alcoholic drinks before 6pm.

Please make payment to: Dance Magic 808
Mail to: 1676 Ala Moana Blvd. #1101, Honolulu, HI 96815
Payment can also be made at class on Wed. night, Nov. 30, at Hale Ikena.
No tickets will be given out. We will have a namelist and seat assignment will be based on first come basis after assigning the seats for the instructors and volunteers.
Thank you for your support this year.
Richard & Lynn Nakamura
http://www.dancemagic808.wordpress.com/
cell: 808-372-2256 (Lynn)

Reminder: USA Dance Classic Holiday Ball

Another great event is coming your way to the Palladium. It is USA Dance Honolulu’s Annual Classic Holiday Ball, scheduled for Friday, December 2 nd 2011. This year, our showcase will feature local amateur talents from various clubs here in Honolulu. The cost for a ticket is $10 presale w/ early dinner, or $10 at the door, cookies only.

Dinner service will start at approximately 6:00 pm and will be served on the ‘lanai’, overlooking our scenic Waikiki and the tranquil waters of the Ala Wai Canal. J We will prepare a succulent grilled steak and chicken dinner complimented with moist grilled vegetables on the side, all grilled with olive oil, and gently placed over a bed of rice…(It’s already making me hungry)… Dessert will be served during intermission at approximately 8:00 pm. Dessert will be cookies selected from one of our wonderful cookie outlets available in Honolulu. Also available with your dessert will be the aromatic flavor of ‘Folgers’ coffee blend and a refreshingly cold drink of H2O spiked with a hint of lemon. What a wonderful way to compliment your evening of dancing and dining.

Our ticket sellers are already out there, busily introducing our upcoming event to all of you ballroom dancers. Don’t hesitate, because these tickets are going out fast. In order to qualify for the great dinner we are preparing, you really have to purchase your tickets early.Last day to purchase tickets will be at noon on Wednesday, November 30th.
Mahalo,
Glenn Okazaki Pres.
USA Dance Honolulu

WASABI @Dot's In Wahiawa

Please join us at Dot's in Wahiawa this coming Saturday, November 26th, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Milton's birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day, so we're celebrating his birthday at Dot's on Saturday cuz he cannot compete with the Turkey. Nothing real fancy like KingPins Harvey's Kanreki celebration last Friday, but I guarantee you it'll be a great night. I've ordered red velvet cupcakes for everyone, and we have a special set featuring Garry Moore. This will be a "dress rehearsal" for Garry as he sings tunes by Little Richard, Elvis, & Jerry Lee Lewis. Garry's doing a special show for a private function in December & WASABI will be his backup band, so this'll be a good time to get in a practice show. Hope everyone can make it. UH has a home game that night, so I know some of you are abandoning us for football! =( . But that's okay...I hope you all get rained on! LOL.

Love,
Doreen

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The 63rd Narcissus Coronation Ball

Aloha Students of Dance,
This might be a bit early since it's not gonna happen until next year in January but I gotta tell you that this Narcissus Coronation event is Big Time. Here's a rare chance to see the Queen's Court perform in a dance routine with their escort. But first thing first: you gotta let the Chinese Chamber of Commerce know that you want to attend by sending a check to them or to Lynn to register. Neva can tell what the total number of guest they'll accept before closing the registration. Checkout the following e-mail from Lynn Nakamura for more info.
(Left click on flyer to zoom in or right click to print)

Hi All,
If you are available on Saturday, January 28, 2012, you won't want to miss out on attending the 63rd Narcissus Coronation Ball. There will be dinner, a program, and lots of general ballroom dancing.
.
The Mistress of Ceremony for this event will be Stephanie Lum, of KGMB and KHNL. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii always have a nice program and there is lots of ballroom dancing after the program ends up until midnight. We've been volunteering our services to teach the court and their escorts the waltz for 10 years and have performed for this ball several times. We always try to support them whenever possible


Cost to this grand event is $68 a person. It went up only $1 from last year. (Please see attached flyer)

We are putting together some tables and if you would like to join us, please advise us and send us a check payable to: Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. The latest date to submit your request to us is Thursday, January 12, 2012. Our address is 1676 Ala Moana Blvd. #1101, Honolulu, HI 96815. You can either mail the check to us or give the check to us whenever you see us but do so no later than January 12, 2012.

You can also submit your own request directly to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. You might want to notate on your reservation form to seat you close to the dance floor. Due date if sending directly to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is January 18, 2012.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii normally do not print tickets but did so last year for us. We don't think they will be printing tickets this year. Your check or credit card payment is your receipt. They will have your name listed on their registration sheet at the check-in desk.

Mahalo for your support.
Richard & Lynn Nakamura
Dance Magic 808
www.dancemagic808.wordpress.com
cell 372-2256 (Lynn)

Line Dance Party @the Palladium

Okay, Line Dancers! Here's your chance to "Party" with Hawaii's successful and popular Line Dance Teacher and really have some fun at the Palladium .  Long time friend Sandy Zook is hosting the "Come Dance With Us" on December 10th. Check out her e-mail and  poster for more info. (Left click on poster to zoom in or right click to print)

Aloha,
If this is a duplicate - sorry - please think of it as - I think of you a lot.  

Barry Durand (organizes World's Line Dance Competition) was going to come to Hawaii on Dec. 10th. He's unable to come until spring.

Since I rented the Palladium, I decided to have a Line Dance Party any way. I hope you can come. I would like to do oldies. I don't have a play list yet - so if you have requests, please let me know.
Thanks,
Sandy
988-1818

USAD Hustle Workshop

Okay, dancers! I finally got a brief history on the Hustle, the dance of the 70's from my friend Marie. Does Marie dance the Hustle? You bet she does! She and husband Paul danced some dazzling Hustle moves at the Kauai Ballroom Dance Club Anniversary Ball last month in Kauai. Here's her story.....

GET DOWN with Lucas Jaime at USA Dance's Hustle Workshop
By: Marie Laderta

Glenn Okazaki hit the nail on the head when he described the hustle as "this ever popular retro-dance of the 70's.". He sure is right about that!

Hustle's evolution is amazing when you consider that in such a short span of dance history, from the 70's to today, it has moved as a dance form from a disco/social in the 70's to being a part of the American rhythm style in many of today's ballroom competitions including the Hawaii Star Ball!

During its infancy in the 70's, even though the hustle was taught in many forms (4- count hustle, the old Latin Hustle or Rope Hustle), the most entertaining style was done by club dancers and competitors in New York who performed the 3-count hustle (& 1-2-3). Later, other dance styles such as American Smooth (traveling movements & pivots), and other Rhythm dances were incorporated.

In fact, whenever I have a chance, I always compete in ballroom hustle in both Pro-Am with Lucas and amateur couple with my husband Paul. It is a refreshing break for us in the competition because it allows for a bit more freedom of movement & variation than the more disciplined syllabus figures in Latin. Not to mention that I get to learn and dance the hustle with my teacher, a former Hustle Champion, who grew up with this genre of dancing in New York with the likes of "Hustle-great" Billy Fajardo.

So come on down to the Ala Wai Palladium on Saturday, November 19th and watch Lucas "get down" with the Hustle at USA Dance's workshop.

WHERE: The Ala Wai Golf Course Palladium
TIME: 12:30p Registration, 1:00p Workshop
COST: $10 for USA Dance Members
$20 for Non-members

For more information, call Glenn Okazaki at 428-1704.

DANCE! DANCE! DANCE! December

Aloha Students of Dance,
A whole lot of dance venues scheduled for December. So here's a recap of what's in store for your enjoyment to keep on dancing.....
(Left click on poster to zoom in then click on original for close-up).

Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 – USA Dance – Classic Holiday Ball @ the Palladium – 6pm – 9:30pm – Exhibitions & Refreshments. Advance Cost $10 Steak & Chicken dinner (for tickets – call Lynn Nakamura 372-2256)


Saturday, December 3, 2011 - Divino Ritmo "Neon Lights" The Call of Broadway - Sheraton Waikiki Hotel 6Pm-11:30PM. (Scroll down to previous blog for more info)

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 – Pan Pacific Ballroom Dance Society – Christmas Dance @ the Palladium – Cost $8.00 bento served at 5:30pm
Exhibitions & Door Prizes (for tickets – call Lynn Nakamura 372-2256)

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 – 5:00pm – ??? Dance Magic 808 Christmas Party at Hale Ikena, Ft. Shafter – please rsvp if you plan to attend, seats are limited. There may be a minimal cost – planning to have pupus but not definite yet – will advise you next week. Contact Lynn Nakamura at 372-2256


Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 – International Ballroom Dance, Inc. (IBDI) @ the Palladium – 5:30pm-10:00pm – Cost $10 bento at 5:30pm. Exhibitions, Door Prizes & Refreshments (for tickets – call Lynn Nakamura 372-2256)


Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 International Ballroom Dance, Inc. (IBDI) New Year's Eve Dance. 6PM-Midnight. Pacific Beach Hotel.

Hawaii Swings 2011 Workshop @The Palladium

Aloha Students of Dance.
More Dance Workshop at the Palladium featuring Robert Cordoba and Deborah Szekley on the Hustle, Nightclub 2 Step, West Coast Swing, and Styling coming your way in December. But you gotta sign-up before the deadline of November 26 to be counted. See poster for more info. Please contact Carolyn Noah for additional info.
(Left click on poster to zoom in then click on original for close-up)