Hawai'i Gardenia Circle

The Hawai'i Gardenia Circle with a new board of Directors ran an event at the “Palladium”, Ala Wai Golf Course Club House on Friday evening March 12.
The evening was a success with around 400 dancers attending. So congratulations are due to the new board. In addition to the general dancing (good music provided by Daniel Ng assisted by Warwick Sergeant) there were 3 solo exhibitions followed by a “Latin Festival” which was a mock Latin competition and was nicely organized by Gayle Kawahakui. MC duties for the evening was handled very nicely by David Mayman who looked and sounded very professional (of course – he is English!!).
The first solo exhibition was by Richard and Lynn Nakamura. I had asked prior to the event who would be doing the solos and when I was told that Richard and Lynn would be performing I immediately responded with one word – “quickstep!” I suppose one day we will see them do another dance. As far as their performance is concerned they use a lot of Promenade Runs, Scatter Chasses, Coupes, Pendulums which are great crowd pleasers but are not that difficult as long as the partnership dance them together which Richard and Lynn do - they are well rehearsed in these figures. I do wish Lynn would improve her top line to match that of Richards. Both of them need to keep more contact and watch their footwork on Progressive Chasses, Forward and Backward Lock Steps and Locking Actions such as Pepperpots. Their lowering action after 1-3 of Natural Turn needs a lot of work. Otherwise an entertaining show.
The next couple on gave a performance of Night Club Two Step. I am sorry that I did not get their names and there was no printed program for reference however their performance was musical, as this dance should be, and very interpretive with very nice work from the Lady (of course the Man was leading!).
A Foxtrot/Waltz medley was the final solo performed by Michael and Trudy Uechi. Trudy looking elegant in a beautiful ballgown, and Michael resplendent in tails! Their routine included some very nice variations and they danced well. This couple has developed a very good top line but I would like to see a softer arm and shoulder line from Michael. He appears to be a little “too set” and I think more CBM, especially on outside partner steps, would improve. There was loss of contact on some figures and I think Trudy needs to use more foot pressure. I would also have like to see more contrast in Rise and Fall between the Foxtrot and Waltz.
The “Latin Festival” mock competition followed. “Competing” were Amateur couples as well a Pro/Am. In the Cha Cha Cha we had 9 couples, Rumba 11 couples, Samba 8 couples, Paso Doble 4 couples, Jive 5 couples and a Mambo with 6 couples. Only 1 couple danced in all 6 dances so if it had been a real competition then they would have won and congratulations would have gone out to Calvin and Debra Ota!
It was nice to see Renna and Sergio Villanueva dancing with various students. These two professionals have come a long way in the past couple of years. Well done! Some of the couples really do need to work on their timing – especially in the Cha Cha Cha and Rumba. If you are out of time in a competition you really cannot be considered. One couple really went overboard on their choreography with gyrations and posturing and waving of arms that bore no relationship to the dance being danced – out first round! Overall I felt that the best couple (who did not dance all the dances) was Edwin and Charlotte (sorry I did not get your last names). They showed good technique, leg, foot and ankle action and choreography that was suitable to them. Well done!
Two last comments. Performers dancing at the Palladium need to be aware that the lighting is very bad especially with a dark section in the middle of the ballroom. Therefore costumes should be a light and/or bright color for both the Man and Lady. The Man wearing a black shirt, black pants with a Lady wearing a dark colored Latin costume will get lost in the middle of the Palladium! In an actual Latin Competition couples must remember to use turning actions in the Cha Cha Cha, Rumba and Jive. Remember that the Man is wearing a number on his back and the Judges usually stay put on the side of the floor. You want the judges to see your number so keep turning!