CBM and/or CBMP?

There seems to be a great deal of confusion among, not only students, but instructors, teachers and professionals who have not truly studied the Technique of Ballroom Dancing.

So, I will try and help some of the helpless on this very subject!

CBM – Contra Body Movement. This is a body action. It is used naturally everyday when we walk. Watch somebody walking naturally and you will see his or her arms swinging naturally forward and back. As they step forward with, say their right foot, their left arm swings slightly forward. This is naturally created through a normal slight rotation of the human body. Watch a troop of soldiers marching and you will see this same movement but slightly more exaggerated.

In dancing, CBM is used only on forward and backward steps usually when turning. Example – first step of Natural or Reverse Turn in Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep. Without CBM you are pushing your partner or being pushed instead of dancing past your partner or allowing your partner to dance past you. The technical definition of CBM is – “A body action. The turning of the opposite side of the body towards the moving foot which is moving forward or back, generally to initiate turn”.

The opposite of “CMB” is “Side Leading”. This is used naturally whenever you would reach forward or backward to take something from a shelf or even to shake hands with someone. The technical definition is “ taking the same side of the body either forward or backward with the moving foot”.

CBMP – Contra Body Movement Position. This is a foot position and not a body action.. “A foot position where the foot is placed on or across the line of the supporting foot, either in front or behind to maintain body line.”

This creates the allusion of CBM being used! This is not usually a natural everyday movement – unless you are a Fashion Model on a Runway, but there are everyday situations were you would naturally step across the line of your standing foot. There are five (5) dance situations where CBMP is used. (1) All partner outside steps as man or lady (except the 3rd step of the Fishtail in Quickstep). (2) All pivots. (3) All promenade figures. (4) Tango Left Foot Forward Walks and Tango Right Foot Backward Walks. (5) The only step that does not fall into the above 4 situations is the last step of the Change of Direction in Slow Foxtrot and/or Quickstep.

There are times when CBM and CBMP are used together. Example - the first step of all Natural Turns in Waltz and Quickstep as Man and Lady when the first step is outside partner on step 1 or the second step of the Closed Promenade in Tango as Lady.

“Side Leading” is often used to denote a preparation step for an “outside partner” step. Example: Second step of the Feather Step in Slow Foxtrot or third step of Running Finish in Quickstep.

The next time you are in class or on a private lesson ask your teacher/coach/instructor to explain the CBM and/or CBMP techniques – it is a very, very important part of great dancing and should be understood by all good teachers and dancers.

Memoirs Showcase at Sheraton Waikiki

Memoirs Showcase re-living the Magical Memoirs of the Golden Era of Dance was held this past Saturday evening at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova are to be congratulated on running this first time event. I felt that it was very successful for them despite some minor hiccups.


Upon arrival outside the Ballroom there was a long line of attendees waiting patiently to find their table assignments. Several had forgotten their numbered tickets or were asking for tickets that were being held for them, this seemed to slow up the proceedings. Once in the ballroom we found that podium area had been decorated by large cut out figures of dancers, which made for an interesting series of entries onto the dance floor by the couples dancing exhibitions. Paul Laderta was responsible for this neat and unique arrangement. Emi Matsuoka provided beautiful table arrangements. David Ostler did an excellent job with the lighting and his wife Ellen together with Leilani Aimoto took good care of the front desk registrations. I also give a great deal of credit to two ladies who have generously supported Lucas and Yanna throughout this event – Maria Handl and Marie Laderta.

The three-course sit-down served dinner was exceptional. My only concern was the fact that only fish (which was excellent) was served for the main course - not everyone likes just fish.

The general dance music was good but what little there was of it could have been better.

The MC! Well I think Lucas and Yanna must have a re-think on that. The introducing of each of the exhibitions was precluded by a sometimes-lengthy explanation or history of the dance. This made it more interesting but the monotony of the MC was not inspiring the audience to become involved. Was that why the audience was so very quiet with polite applause that the beginning and the end of each routine?

Following an excellent dinner there was an impressive total of 17 exhibitions, a drawing for door prizes, Honolulu City Mayor Mufi Hanneman doing a short speech and singing a song, and then the presentation of Dance Achievement Certificates to all participants. During the presentation of Certificates there were so many dead spots of silence – the DJ could have provided background music and played it softly during the announcements and brought up the volume a little for the actual presentation and photograph sessions. After the presentation several people left not realizing that Lucas and Yanna were going to perform. Theyonly did three of their spectacular numbers and dropped their Theatrical Routine because the evening was running so late. This was disappointing. I think that the timetable needs to be re-thought. Is it really necessary for a student to do two numbers?

It was good to see so many local professionals supporting this event. I think that all professionals should support each other’s showcases but that is not often the case.

I must say that I am very happy that Lucas and Yanna have made their home in Hawai‘i and are helping to develop a higher standard of dance through their knowledge and proficiency. I look forward to seeing even greater things from them both. Congratulations to them both and all of their students!

Now onto my critique of the exhibitions!! Oh my goodness what am I going to say? Hang on and know that I am trying to be constructive and not destructive. Some may think otherwise but that is their problem!

First let me comment on the two exhibitions that were not from Divino Ritmo Dance. Stanley Munesato and Karen Miyahara danced an International Waltz (teacher Akiyohsi Sugino) with good choreography, timing, and control. Choice of music was excellent and Karen’s dress was perfect. I understand that the floor was “sticky” which explains why they were picking up their feet. Both need to try and open up their top line. Stanley needs to use his left side more and Karen’s footwork was not the best!

Professional Albert Franz with student Theresa Yi also danced an International Waltz. Theresa looked far more comfortable with Albert than when I saw her the last time with another Professional. Albert has always had the gift of making his partners look good! Theresa must try to use more foot pressure and use her feet, instep and ankles more.

Noreen Ho with Lucas danced an International Rumba. The presentation was very good but I would like to have seen more basic work and less “two figures and then a line”, “two figures and then a line” etc. Noreen should know that heel leads are not permitted in Rumba so she should try to use her instep and ankle more.

Rolando and Gloria Padasdao danced a Tango that seemed to incorporated American, International, and Argentine Tango. The attire was very appropriate, the footwork was not bad but could have been better and Gloria needs to show a much better dance position.

Next Moneque Dejesa and Lucas dancing a Mambo or was it Salsa. I kept seeing them on the 1 beat and then on the 2 beat. Was it supposed to be this way?

Paul and Marie Laderta gave a very convincing performance in their Bolero. Marie looked great in her white costume. Paul leads his lady well and Marie follows beautifully but their arms and foot placements sometimes look a little untidy.

Cole Horibe and Yanna Samkova then danced an International Cha Cha Cha that I felt was too short – I just began to enjoy this performance and then it ended. This, for me, was the best performance during the First Act.

Maria Handl danced an American Foxtrot with Lucas. This was a fun routine depicting two hobos. Maria’s nose fell off and that disturbed Lucas more than it did Maria! Well-danced but Maria must watch her footwork.

Formation Team “Hairspray”. After seeing this at the Hawai‘i Star Ball I was looking forward to seeing it again. Well, I don’t think it really came off as planned. Only 5 couples this time. But they put their best effort into it and it was OK.

After the Intermission.

Amy Do and Helen Lai with Lucas doing a three-way Rumba/Cha Cha Medley. I remember these two sisters (to me they look like twins!) dancing a similar routine many years ago with Bill Kerfoot and I must say that was the best. Tonight one of the young ladies was constantly catching up or lagging behind. This really could be an excellent routine but it needs more care and rehearsal.

Now a Tango Medley with Marie Laderta and Lucas. Marie’s costume was so appropriate for this number. An interesting routine that I think was new to her. It needed more rehearsal. The choreography seemed to be first and foremost in Marie’s mind and it was not coming naturally. I think she is getting too much too soon. I don’t think I saw one heel lead during the entire performance. I know how dedicated Marie is to dancing and I encourage her to push herself to go further because I know she can do it.

Jackson Cho and June Choong dancing an International Samba. You both danced a very good routine that shows a great deal of promise from you both. But you both do need more rehearsal and practice. Your Samba action at time was very good and then it went off. Jackson needs to use his hips more. Try to accent the 2nd beat of the Samba more strongly.

Rea Cormick danced a Theatre Arts routine with Lucas. The beginning was just beautiful; Their lifts at times were controlled and artistic until the last one. Rea must be disappointed at that but she was a true competitor and artist and carried it well. Their entry off the floor was just wonderful. Congratulations.

International Jive was next with Jones Valenzuela and Yanna. This young man is so enthusiastic about his dancing and it shows. He really does try to give a good performance (he does just that in the Formation Team!). However I saw him looking at Yanna when doing side-by-side groups to see if he was with her – he was! I was not convinced that the tempo of the music was really Jive – it seemed more like EC Swing.

Another routine from Maria Handl with Lucas – this time a Bolero. This nicely danced by a very elegant lady whose costume was very appropriate. Again I think that the choreography was a little too high for her standard. She really needs to work on eye contact, foot pressure and footwork using the instep and ankles more.

Next a Rumba from Paul Laderta dancing with Yanna. Paul is an excellent student and partner and is aware of his lady whether it is Marie or Yanna. He shows them both off so well and that adds to his presentation to the audience. Good show.

Last on was Ellen Ostler dancing a Hustle with Lucas. Ellen is the consummate performer having personality and eye contact on the dance floor. Her Hustle technique is as I remember it was way back in the 60’s and 70’s. It is a pity that she was not able to show more Hustle and fewer lifts. Otherwise an excellent performance and I would say the best one of the Second Act.

Having said all that I would like to congratulate all of the students for participating in this Memoirs Showcase. I know it takes a great deal of courage to get out there, but you all did it and you all are a great credit to your teachers, Lucas and Yanna.

World Professional Latin Championship

The World Professional Latin Championship was held this past weekend in Blackpool, UK, following the Annual Closed British Championships.
Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko our US Champions took second place to Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis (from Poland). Our second place US couple Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova place 6th in these finals. The Paramanov's, the Canadian Champions reached the semi finals (top 12).

Ohio Star Ball

It is disappointing to note that the Ohio Star Ball, which has been televised by PBS Boston for many, many years, was not recorded this year. Therefore the 2009 event will not be seen on your PBS station next year. Funding was the problem, which is understandable during these economic times. Also note that the Hawai‘i Star Ball also was not televised by ‘Ōlelo this year. So to see these types of world-class competitions you will have to be there.


Winners of the Professional Ballroom (Standard) this year at Ohio were the current World Champions (who performed at the Hawai‘i Star Ball in 2008) Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova, 2nd were Igor Litvinov and Julia Ivleva, and 3rd Urs Geisenhaimer and Agnes Kazmierczak. Igor Litvinov danced with his student at the Hawai‘i Star Ball three years ago and Urs and Agnes performed at the Palladium for USADance several years ago.

Winners of the Professional Smooth were Tomas Mielnicki and JT Thomas who did the show for Hawai‘i Star Ball this year.

In the Professional Latin Division Delyan Terziev and Borianna Deltcheva, who performed at the Hawai‘i Star Ball in 2008 were the expected winners because their two main rivals Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko, Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova this past weekend were representing the USA at the World’s Latin Championship in Blackpool. However they must have been very disappointed to be placed second being beaten by Roman Kutsky and Anna Kovalova. Into third place were Thomas and Isabella Landowski (this couple also performed at the Palladium a couple of years ago for USADance). On an interesting note none of these three couples received a majority of 1st places from the 19 judges. In order to win a dance they must have a majority (10) of 1sts. The winners actually won on 1st and 2nd places from the 19 judges!

The final event was the “America’s Best” competition. All four Champions from the International Ballroom and Latin and American Smooth and Rhythm compete against each other for this title. Winners were Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova (Ballroom), 2nd were Tomas Mielnicki and JT Thomas (Smooth), 3rd were Roman Kutsky and Anna Kovalova (Latin) and 4th were Jose DeCamp and Joanna Zacharewics (Rhythm).

The “America’s Best” title was created by PBS in order to compete against TV reality programs such as “Dancing with the Star” or “So You Think You Can Dance”

Events and Competitions

The Ohio Star Ball is now well underway and the “Big Night” will be on Saturday November 21 when PBS will be televising the finals of all the Open Professional events to discover “America’s Best”. I will let you know when PBS will be showing this event.
The results are coming out of Ohio very slowly! The Ohio Star Ball is now home to the Pro/Am World Championships. In the American Smooth World Pro/Am Championship at the “C” age levels there was an outstanding entry of 55 couples (this has to be the largest ever pro/am multi dance event) and it was won by Beverly Moore with teacher Alain Doucet from Canada – this is the first time the American Smooth Pro/Am winner was not from the USA. The American Smooth “A” age division was won by three people! Yes, three! Laurie Meer with teacher Mazen Hamza took top honors and Laurie is six months pregnant! In the American Rhythm “B” level Olivia Anderson with teacher Forrest Vance became World Rhythm Champions – Olivia and Forrest competed this year at the Hawai‘i Star Ball. There were no competitors from Hawai‘i.

So what is coming up on the competition scene? The oldest competition in the USA will be held November 27 –29. It is the 49th Annual California Star Ball being held at the Radisson Hotel, Los Angeles Airport and is organized by John Morton and Gitte Svendsen. In the past several Hawai‘i competitors have danced in this event. Check their website www.californiastarball.com

Next would be the Holiday Dance Classic on December 9 – 13 at Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Wendy Johnson, Mary Murphy and Sam Sodano, organizes it. You can check the website: www.holidaydanceclassic.com

Internationally there is the Australian Dancesport Championships being held in Melbourne December 11 – 13. They have an enormous panel of judges both overseas and Australian. Jenny Rosenfeld is included who judged for Hawai‘i Star Ball when we were at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel and will possibly be judging for us in 2010! Also included is Leanne Bampton who is a frequent visitor to Hawai‘i. You can check their website www.theaustraliandancesportchampionship.com.au

Not a dance competition or event but an important date for me will be December 22 when I will be having my knee replacement surgery at Kaiser. Can’t wait to get it over with!

I think you all should be aware of The Philippine Star Ball, which is in its third year of running. It is being held on February 13, 2010 at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Manila. The Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines, Inc is presenting it in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Republic of the Philippines and The First Gentleman Foundation Inc. A beneficiary is KYTHE an organization helping children with cancer. There were a group of local dancers attending last year and I know that there will be local attendees this year. Check it out www.philippinestarball.com or contact Michaela ‘Pinky’ Puno via email at: - mpuno@aol.com or Michaela.puno@gmail.com

Technique and Tips

I have been asked to occasionally write up something about Ballroom and/or Latin Technique and discuss common mistakes and how to correct them. Wow, now I wonder where I should begin! Well now let us start with the some of the basic principles in the Ballroom section. First of all we have Basic Natural Turns and Basic Reverse Turns. Natural Turns turn to the right or clockwise and Reverse Turns turn to the left or counter clockwise. In the Waltz and Slow Foxtrot the Basic Natural and Reverse Turns have six steps or foot positions – on the first three steps the man dances around the lady and on the second three step the lady dances around the man. In order to progress counter clockwise around the ballroom (L.O.D.) all Natural Turns must be danced towards the outside of the ballrooms and all Reverse Turns should be dance toward the center of the ballroom. Both of these turns are connected by (a) in Waltz, Closed Changes (b) in Slow Foxtrot, Feather Step or Three Step.

In the Quickstep the Natural Turn can only be danced at a corner but if danced with hesitation then it can be danced along side of the room or at a corner. The Reverse Turn, known as the Chasse Reverse was modified several years ago and the Heel Pivot on the second half was replaced by the Progressive Chasse – otherwise it would still have 6 steps or foot positions. Note that the basic Quickstep of Quarter Turn to Right and Progressive Chasse follows the same rule of progression – you start facing the outside edge of the ballroom, you step forward and make a quarter turn to the right, you then step back toward the center of the ballroom and make a quarter turn to the left.

In the Tango there are 3 Reverse Turns having six steps – the Basic Reserve Turn, Reverse Turn Lady in line, and Reverse Turn Lady outside. There is NO Basic Natural Turn in the Tango.

Viennese Waltz? Well we will save that one for another time!

Any questions or requests or to book a private lesson please contact me (808) 955-3134 or email gmfells@msn.com.

Ohio Star Ball Championships

In 1978 one of the United States Professional Latin Champions, Mr. Sam Sodano, asked me to help with a one-day competition in Columbus, Ohio. I was the Chairman of Judges at this small event. I continued to be the Chairman for 28 years as it grew from that one day event to a six day marathon that it is today. I retired as the sole Chairman of Judges 4 years ago. The Ohio Star Ball starts today Tuesday November 17 and will run through Sunday November 22. It is the World's largest Pro/Am competition but it also runs Professional, Amateur, and Collegiate events. The World's Professional American Smooth and Rhythm Championships are also now part of this prestigious event. There are usually around 17,000 entries. The timetable is run to the second, usually starting around 7:00 am each day and finishing around 1:00 am the next morning. The Saturday evening is the most exciting with PBS Televising for America's Ballroom Challenge and the crowning of America's Best. There will be 70 judges working in panels of 3 judges to 17. Three separate ballrooms are used to run this event which now uses 3 Chairman of Judges. There are 3 MC's, 7 Scrutineers, 2 DJ's, 9 On-Deck Captains and a program that looks like a telephone directory!
I will keep you posted on any interesting results.

A New Partnership for Victor Fung?

It has been rumored that Victor has already been trying out with a new partner. Apparently this new partner could be Anastasia Murayvyeva. Anastasia dancing with Mikhail Avdeev took third place (next to Victor and Anna) at the United States Dancesport Championships this past September. Interesting to note that seeing Victor and Anna have split the second place couple invited to represent the USA at the next World Professional Standard Championships would have been Mikhail and Anastasia! Who knows how this will work out. It would be possible for the NDCA could appoint Victor and Anastasia as our second place representatives rather than go to the fourth place couple from the US Championships, Igor Litvinov and Julia Ivleva.

Debby's Holly Jolly Trolley

Yes, it is getting close to that time of year again for the 11th Annual Holly Jolly Trolley on Saturday December 5th from 7:00 pm till 12:30 am.
Join the Dream To Dance group for a fun filled evening of singing, dining, music, dancing at various locations aboard the trolley and sharing of the holiday spirit with everyone.
So All Aboard the Jolly Trolley
Over 100 people are expected so an RSVP is needed.
Call Debby for information, tickets ($42) and reservations (808) 372-5572.

The Gardenia Circle reorganized

The Gardenia Circle was formed several years ago and I believe that Mr. Akiyoshi Sugino was one of the people responsible for its foundation. Mr. Ivans Yim was the President for quite a number of years.
Recently the “Circle” has fallen behind the other dance clubs and was considered defunct. However at a very recent meeting it was decided to re organize the Gardenia Circle under a new President - Mr. Ivan John and possibly a new Board of Directors. Ms Nancy Luckie is one of the Board Members and as soon as I learn of the other of Board Members or other related information I will let you know. In the meantime events scheduled by Gardenia Circle at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club House (aka The Palladium) will continue to be held. If you want further information you can contact the new President Mr. Ivan John at (808) 224-9465.

“Memoirs”

On Saturday November 21 2009, Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova are presenting their Divino Ritmo’s First Annual Grand Ball in Paradise at the Sheraton Waikiki from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
They invite you to come re-live “The Magical Memoirs of the Golden Eras of Dance” featuring a:

•  Graduation Ball with sit-down Dinner and Dance
•  Solos by Divino Ritmo Dance Students
•  Junior Divino Ritmo Dance Company Ensemble
•  Spectacular Show by Dance Champions Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova!

Tickets: $95 front row or $85 all other rows.
What to wear? – The Ladies, gowns or cocktail dresses; for the Gentlemen, suits or ethnic wear.
For reservations and tickets and further information email or call:
Lucas Jaime – divinoritmo@aol.com or (917) 568-3173
Yanna Samkova – yannajs@msn.com or (732) 499-0407
Marie Laderta – marie.c.laderta@vzw.blackberry.net or (808) 222-3721
Maria Handl – mariahandl@yahoo.com or (808) 227-7711

See you all there!

Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed have split

The following is a statement received from Anna Mikhed: -

"I have thoroughly enjoyed these 6 years of dancing with Victor. We have grown together as partners and individually. There was no incident that took place, just a recognition, perhaps mostly by myself, that our paths in partnership and dancing were going in different directions.
I have been thinking for some time that we need to, at least for now, explore our own ways of dancing. Victor and I will remain friends. I am sure you will be seeing great things coming from both of us in the future."
Sincerely, Anna"

It is rumored that Victor has already tried out with a new partner

Performing at the White House.

This maybe is old news but it has been brought to my attention that a ballroom dancer who was a resident and took lessons in Honolulu, and often returns, danced that the White House in Washington DC. His name is Todd Borzych and he was at UH, danced at the Hawai‘i Star Ball as an amateur many years ago, took lessons with Al Franz. He often returns to Hawai‘i.
The occasion was a cocktail reception hosted by the State Department at the White House on July 27th to wrap up a foreign diplomatic corps convention. Four professional couples were chosen and asked to dance simultaneously a Tango during the reception. The couples selected were Hamid Taba and Tammy Droddy dancing an International Tango, Todd Borzych and Migle Gineityte dancing an Argentine Tango, Garry Gekhman and Irina Sarukhanyan dancing a Theatrical Tango, and Daniel and Silke Calloway theatrically latinizing their International Style program.
I was delighted to note that Daniel Calloway was one of the chosen. I had trained Daniel in his early years for his professional degrees with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. He eventually became, at the age of 22, the youngest Fellow of the Society.
This group of dancers actually formed their own “mini diplomatic corps” with six different countries of origin among the eight performers.
The four couples had the opportunity to have a short rehearsal with the scarlet-uniformed Marine Corps Band for their three secret, surprise performances. The music: ”Jalousie”, “La Cumparsita”, and “Por una Cabeza”.
The four couples mingled with the diplomatic guests as if they were diplomats but at the assigned moment an intern took the jacket of each of the gentlemen performers, the music played a Tango and the four couples emerged from nowhere and danced a Tango much to the delight of the audience including President and Mrs. Obama.
On an interesting note each couple was introduced to the President and First Lady and stood between them for a photograph. However, Garry Gekhman slid past the President to stand next to Mrs. Obama, re-engineering the protocol into the boy/girl/boy/girl arrangement of dance competitions. The First Couple resisted at first but saw the harmless intentions and quickly yielded. Something to talk about for some time.
There is a short video recording of one of the three sessions and can be viewed on youtube.com when you type in “Dancing the night away at the White House” or it can be accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/tango-dancing-at-the-ambassadors-reception.

Ballroom Dancing Storming through Asia - follow up

As a follow up on “Ballroom Dancing Storming through Asia” I emailed Marcel De Rijk regarding Hawai‘i Amateur couples and/or California couples joining the WDC Asian Amateur League.
I have known Marcel, personally, for many years from the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s when he danced with his sister Ratna. They represented The Netherlands at many world championships and in 1972 they were finalists. I always connect with them both every year at the British Championships in Blackpool. Marcel is now the Vice President of the WDC and President of the Dutch Professional Dance Sport Federation, International Adjudicator and Trainer. His maternal grandfather was from Indonesia so it is natural that he now calls Indonesia his second home. He owns and runs a Hotel and Spa on the beautiful island of Lombok, just a 25-minute flight from Bali.
His reply from my email stated that the competitions under the Asian Amateur League are “Open to the World” so that Hawai‘i and Mainland couples are all welcome to join and take part in any of the WDC Open Asian Amateur Championships.
They organize these competitions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Marcel De Rijk’s own event in Indonesia will be held July 3 and 4, 2010 on the beautiful Island of Lombok (Last year there were 14 countries represented).
To get an idea of Lombok and Marcel's hotel, Puri Mas Resort & Spa check his website www.purimas-lombok.com. When you go to his website make sure you check out “About Us” and “Specials – Holiday and Dance”

“Ballroom Dance Storming through Asia”

This was the heading of an article that appeared in Edition 2147 of “Dance New” a UK Dance Newspaper.

It goes on as follows: -

“Launch Of the New WDC Asian Amateur League”

The World Dance Council (WDC) is made up of 59 Member Countries (Ed note: the National Dance Council of America NDCA represents the USA on this Council) and is recognized throughout the world as the leading international organization representing Dance Schools, Dance Clubs, Medallist Dancers, Amateur Competition Couples, Pro-Am Competitors and Professional Dancers.

The WDC Professional Top Couples are undoubtedly the best dancers in the world.

The WDC Championships and Dance Festivals are renowned internationally and judged only by WCD Professional adjudicators, many of whom were Top Professional Dancers in their own right.

In Asia the number of Amateur Dancers has been increasing tremendously over recent years, and the local and international competitions organized under the umbrella of the WDC Amateur League (WDC-AL) is escalating.

Due to the popularity of dancing within Asia, the Asian organizers of the WDC-AL competitions are excited to announce the launch of:

“THE WDC ASIAN AMATEUR LEAGUE”

This new league as part of the WDC-AL is developing a new prestigious Amateur Competition Series Open to the World.

“WDC-AL ASIAN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES”

From 2010 six countries will join this new series, they are: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

The President of the World Dance Council, Mr. Donnie Burns MBE, is proud to see the movement of dance spreading into Asia and growing so rapidly in popularity.

For all your queries and to join the WDC-AL Asia contact: Mr. Marcel De Rijk, Vice President WDC at Email: asia@wdcamateurleague.com.

"A Little Bit Country....."

Again it was a Showcase to enjoy put on by Kesler & Co. at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Friday November 6th.

Doug’s Showcases are always great fun and attract an appreciative audience. Many attendees dressed for the theme of the evening, which added to the easygoing informality of the evening. The buffet food was the usual fare – good but not great. The MC had been brought in at the last minute, which possibly explained the strange pronouncing of names, and the long pauses during his introductions. As usual door prizes are given away during the exhibitions to give the performers a break to change. The ballroom was, as always, decorated beautifully in the theme of the event with wonderful centerpieces on each of the tables. There was lots of general dancing with great music provided by Star Pointe Mobile Disco. Doug was the consummate host welcoming everyone and thanking everyone for their support.

So, onto the evening exhibitions of which there were a total of sixteen danced in three parts.

Opening the evening was Connie Carroll dancing a Hoe Down with Mr. Kesler – what a great opening number for the evening – filled with fun and energy.
Next Mike Agor and Marcia Sorbo dancing a Rumba. Very nice matching costumes, danced a really good routine with good timing. Marcia must watch those heel leads!
Jane Roland then dance a Swing with Mr. Kesler that was well put together but needed a little more care. Jane is tall and elegant and has the potential but she needs to relax and enjoy and smile.
Dave and Connie Carroll danced a Waltz to “Carolina Moon”. This was Dave’s very first showcase. It started off so good and then…thank goodness to Connie. Beginner’s nerves? However Dave kept smiling all the way through. Good show Dave, look forward to seeing you again next time.

Lyla Berg and Mr. Kesler danced a Cha Cha and a Viennese Waltz. Lyla is an experienced performer and it shows. Her presence and showmanship on the floor is great (she did so well at the Hawai‘i Star Ball this year). Her Cha Cha showed good use of feet and legs but I would have liked to see more hip action. Her Viennese Waltz was musical and had feeling but footwork could have been better – heel leads on “1” please.

Renna and Sergio Villanueva presented a new formation routine – “Pink Panther Theme” with some very interesting choreography that kept audience attention. Great costume changes. This will be another “winner” along with their “Lion King” routine.

Mark and Patty Dela Cruz danced a Foxtrot routine that was cute and had personality plus. It was well danced but at times the timing was a little suspect.
Kent Shinomae and Sierra McDermott danced a Cha Cha. Here we have a young couple with so much potential. I hope they keep up the good work. Kent has good body rhythm and leg and foot action that needs a little more discipline. Sierra is an excellent partner for Kent but needs to give more foot pressure and be a little more positive and assertive.

Next, Ivan John and Nancy Luckie. Well now, what can I say? This has to have been the top exhibition of the evening. Ivan was a Wolf and dressed for the part, Nancy was Little Red Riding Hood and also dressed for the part. What entertainment! For me the highlight of the evening. What about the dancing? Well I was being entertained by their routine I really didn’t look too closely – but did I see a heel when it should have been a toe? Who cares – a really good showpiece choreographed by Doug.

April Patricio danced a Tango with Mr. Kesler. April danced as a junior competitor many years ago at the Hawai‘i Star Ball when it was held at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. It was great to see her so grown up and dancing in a very elegant black gown. She has great coordination and control. Her high kicks were great. The choreography was beautifully phrased to “Santa Maria” Even though she made a little mistake it was an excellent performance.

Stacy Naipo and Winston Myers performed a Waltz that had excellent content. This couple has not had a great deal of experience in performing at showcases and I must say that I was impressed with their performance this evening. Stacy looked so elegant in her black gown. Winston is a perfect partner for Stacy they are so well matched. Stacy needs to work a little more on her footwork and so does Winston who also needs to relax his shoulders and stand up a little more.
Debbie Nobler danced two numbers with Mr. Kesler – First a Swing which was so well rehearsed with excellent timing and second a Foxtrot with some great lines and excellent footwork that created good movement. I was a little concerned about Debbie’s Foxtrot costume.

I have left till last the two exhibitions danced by Doug Kesler and his lifetime partner of 21 years, Robert Timosko. They danced together a Swing number to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and I must say that Doug did an excellent job as follower but remember that Robert was leading! They both closed the Showcase dancing a Bolero to “Islands in the Stream” and again this was an excellent presentation by both of them.

Congratulations to Doug and his students for a wonderful evening of camaraderie, good music, and entertainment. We all look forward to your next showcase March 2010.

Ten Reasons to Dance – David Easa MD – November 2009

The following article was sent to me by student David Easa MD asking if I would post it in this blog. David is a student of the Divino Ritmo Dance Studio in Honolulu. He competed at the Hawai‘i Star Ball with his teacher Yanna Samkova in Pro/Am Ballroom, Smooth, and Rhythm from Newcomer division through Open Bronze. He took home an impressive 38 First Places! I find the article well written with some interesting content. Read on: -


Fellow bloggers: I wrote this letter to a medical colleague almost one year ago (12-08) after my first mainland dance competition which was two months after my first Hawaii Star Ball. I just tucked it away in my electronic files, as it indeed satisfied my creative craving to articulate and make sense of what was then a very new and exciting adventure. I recently came across the letter while searching for another file, and after reading it a few times and paring it down in size, I decided it may be of interest to a few readers who may be in the same relative position in life and who are also trying to understanding the role and importance that dancing has taken in their health and happiness. And maybe this is an appropriate contribution to the new website inaugurated by Geoffrey Fells, Dance News of the Pacific.

Dear ………
We’ve spent our lives utilizing completely different skills than in dance. As intensive care physicians and academicians, our career has been spent treating acute and chronic conditions of the newborn, running from bedside to bedside, performing emergency procedures, talking straight to parents worried out of their minds about their babies, dealing with nurses and other colleagues, presenting arguments and ultimatums to hospital administrators to improve the facility and commitment of resources, teaching young doctors, students and fellows, in competitive scholarly activity, etc, etc….. Not many of these roles required any real social skills beyond persistence, hard work and honesty. Smiling was not part of my medical curriculum, nor was gently ushering anyone into the intensive care unit like a restaurant hostess. Yes, gentleness and tack was necessary when dealing with other humans, but in relation to work related issues, critical information usually travelled downstream from me or you to others, at least until I got home and was returned back to earth by my wife who was King of the Easa house, and my kids whom I attended to like a servant. For 25-30 years, this was my life. Probably this profile, while not exact, is not too much unlike your life as well…think about it!

Dancing did not come to me as an epiphany. I was at some drug company sponsored meeting and a short and much older neonatology fellow who was one year ahead of me started dancing at a reception with all of the young ladies who attended, I think he was dancing mostly East Coast swing, while I was guzzling beer jealously at one of the tables. I will spare you indentifying him by name but he was a very good doctor and ended up being very successful in his practice and ended his career as a medical school Dean. He was also a good dancer; although I’m not sure I could identify one at that time…he nevertheless impressed me. Anyway, I was enraged with an instantaneous jealous desire to trade places with him for that evening.

Later while passing through Seattle on my way home from another medial meeting, I was wandering the hallways of the Ramada Inn that I had an overnight in to find a large ballroom of senior citizens dancing ballroom at some sponsored event. The grace and purposeful and coordinated movement between dance couples, even the ballroom dance music awoke a part of my soul that I never knew existed dazzled me. And everyone seemed to be having fun.

The next step I will describe quickly as it is both a reminder of my wife’s life and also her death. I announced shortly after the Ramada Inn experience that I wanted to take dance lessons with her. She was understandably pleasantly surprised….as most women like to dance….and she had some experience taking ballroom lessons as a teen ager in North Carolina. Our choice for instruction was the Hawaii Ballroom Association program where we met a bunch of wonderful students and amateur instructors and still keep in touch with those still alive. One interesting tidbit was that one of the female instructors of a wife/husband team, the Mita’s, turned out to be both my kids’ 2nd grade teacher at Kainalu Elementary School in Kailua. Indeed, I felt like I was back in 2nd grade when it came to learning to dance. In any case, the lessons at Keolu Elementary School in Enchanted Lakes were short lived when my wife came down with breast cancer and this started a final all consuming four year nightmare punctuated by emotional turbulence, intermittent hope and terminal despair. I am still not over it; it has created a permanent emptiness for which recovery is not possible.

So as the story emerges, dance for me was part of my healing process. I danced with Scherer – my wife – before she died, and so I would continue this after her passing. But I do not wish this reason upon you or my worst enemies. So here it finally is – 10 reasons why you should dance. None of them are particularly insightful taken by themselves, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

1. Fun: Dancing is fun, and you meet nice people who might even become new friends.

2. Exercise: You can actually burn calories and instead of running on the treadmill or breaking your knees on pavement, you can stay trim dancing while enjoying the moment.

3. Diet: if you regularly dance including some nights, you will find that you cannot eat as much…. think about exercising on a full stomach, and your new focus of activity will reduce the tendency for you to engage in long dinners with lots of food and alcohol as your only evening social outlet.

4. Brain food - Learning: Dancing for both men and women takes brain power – you need to learn the rules of each dance and then a bunch of steps and routines.

5. Body food – Learning: Dancing teaches you a lot about your body, the concept of center, core, and you can discover and enlist muscles everywhere that you never knew existed…. for example, I can’t believe all of the muscles in my feet that I call upon to maintain my balance and keep me from falling. Dancing creates balance and good posture, flexibility and overall strength. Why walk the remainder of your life hunched over with contractures, when you can look and move like Fred Astaire!

6. Musicality: Not all sound is equal; some like a baby’s cry induces a strong visceral reaction, while the right type of music (each person is unique) creates calm, serenity and at times a state of euphoria.

7. Hobby: Everyone needs something to do outside of work; dancing is something you can do forever from whenever. At this week’s Holiday Classic in Las Vegas, I witnessed 10 yr olds dancing competitively as well as those in their ninth decade.

8. Girls/Boys: Some people are lonely and you can meet lots of people and maybe your new wife/ husband on the dance floor. And dancing is recommended if you’re prone to promiscuity (just a joke…relax).

9. Intangibles: Music and dancing is so different than anything I’ve ever done in my life, uses parts of my brain and body that I never knew existed and calls for skills that I had not developed in my moderately long-lived life. There are different intangibles for each and every person; you have to discover them through your own self-reflection.

10. Spend your money before you die: Finally, dancing competitively is expensive, so if you want to spend your last dollars on yourself to prevent your kids from inheriting your remaining dollars, I guaranty you, you can spend an unlimited amount of money in ballroom dancing: taking lessons; buying unnecessarily inflated tailor made dance attire (I call them costumes), and traveling to dance competitions (especially expensive for Hawaii residents – you don’t know what a bargain the Hawai'i Star Ball is for Hawaii residents until you venture out to the mainland). Don’t worry if you have lots of money, seriously minded folks engaged in ballroom dancing will succeed in helping you unload.

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

David Easa MD

"E Komo Mai"

Well now, this is a test. This will be my first article on this new blogsite. Not sure how it will go.
First of all thank you to all of you that emailed, or telephoned to express your disappointment that I would be “retiring” from blogging on some of the “local” blogs. I realized that while a few dancers in Hawai‘i would be pleased by the fact that I would not be reporting my thoughts anymore there were so many of you who actually enjoyed my comments – both positive and negative!
It seems that even those that I was critical of could not wait to see what comments I had to make about their performances.
So I will try and continue. However I do hope to report on dance activities in the Pacific Rim as well as the Mainland USA, Canada, and Europe.
This weekend is Doug Kesler’s Showcase at the Pacific Beach Hotel – Friday November 6th – 6:00 pm till Midnight. Tickets are $65. Doug’s showcases are always fun and they always have a theme and this will be “A Little bit Country, a little bit Rock ‘n Roll”. So let’s see what happens. Hope to see you all there.
Geoffrey Fells
(808) 955-3134
(808) 371-8042 C.
gmfells@msn.com