Tuesday, October 9, 2012

2012 Hawai'i Star Ball by David Easa

Hawaii Star Ball – 2012
Geoffrey kindly asked me to write something about the 21st annual Hawaii Star Ball 2012.  I could have referred him to what I wrote two years ago in 2010 about the same.  This is excerpted below mainly in attempt to keep your attention.
FROM 2010:  Geoffrey Fells IS the Hawaii Star Ball and this last week, the 19th consecutive yearly ballroom competition premier event was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It seems that Geoffrey has perfected this event. Indeed, this year’s event was clearly modeled after last year’s event, which was modeled after the year before and so on and so forth. In addition to the competition and the wonderful professional dance show, this included a little Chinese – Lions dance, a little Japanese – Taiko Drums, a little Hawaiian – hula, local entertainers and singers, and much more.
The Venue: While the Hilton Hawaiian Village remains a very splendid venue for the event, it had its pluses and minuses…….
 The ballroom was roomy and adequate, the dance floor in its uncut version was of decent quality although there was some rough edges inevitably present in dance floors made up of squares pieced together resulting in slightly uneven seams.  It was certainly an advantage to have the entire dance floor to use for all heats………...
The Competition: From the weight of the competition schedule booklet, it appeared that the competition was slightly smaller than last year; We will not rehash the possible reasons for this, but would rather conclude the obvious….the national economy is still unhealthy and Hawaii is a far and expensive destination for those interested in competing from the mainland who have so many choices to consider almost on a weekly basis. Still it was disappointing not have all of our professional dance instructors in Hawaii really involved in supporting this event, which would partially compensate for the seeming reduction in mainland participation………
I could have also referred him to comments included in my personal blog that were recently published, and modified somewhat below.
I had a particularly good time this year.  I was most happy to receive positive comments about my Chairman's Waltz Solo with Yanna………
Divino Ritmo Dance Studio – Lucas Jaime and Yanna Samkova - won top Studio award for the 5th straight year!  In fact, 5 out of 9 categories in the Winner’s Circle were populated by Divino Ritmo teachers and students.  Congratulations to Emi Matsuoka and Bella Boyer!  What is particularly sad about this is that Divino Ritmo was the ONLY Honolulu based dance studio represented in this list!
Professionals and world rhythm champions Liana Churilova and her partner Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine were simply magnificent. I was totally mesmerized by Liana's dance ability, style, flexibility and perfect execution and musicality.When she is competing, her competitors look like amateurs dancing in slow motion by comparison. She is simply one of the most fabulous dancers ever to step on a dance floor, something that she has accomplished in her short life of circa 18-20 years.
And I suppose, to be honest and complete, I could and maybe should include this last comment that were also included in my blog.
Seems like the HSB is headed south unless some changes can be made.  The event was pretty much the same as the year before……
I do not relish nor do I have the background or experience to comment on the factors leading to the progressive deterioration of the Hawaii Star Ball in terms of attendance and participation.  Many folks who attended have made their own observations and conclusions.
The fact is that WE – the dancers in Hawaii - all have something to lose without the HSB, and so we owe it to Geoffrey to chime in and provide our view on how to redirect the downward trajectory to an upward direction.
Having competed in at least 3 mainland competitions a year these last few years, I have a growing appreciation for the differences in approach that organizers take in showcasing their event.  Students have many choices over the year to attend many competitions in nearly every city of importance in the country and we should not forget Canada.
But Hawaii is a special place that should not need marketing to attract dancers to participate in the HSB.  Other venues are much more challenging.  The ailments that plague the HSB are fixable, and there is no reason that we should accept this state of lethargy and despair as a sign of impending doom.  Rather we should consider it a hiccup….up…up…up.
Folks, tell Geoffrey what you think will make HSB better.  Geoffrey, it’s time for you to seriously elicit and consider as many opinions as possible especially from those who have unwaveringly supported your event, the Hawaii Star Ball, over the years.
Geoffrey, I believe you agree that the HSB is up for a makeover.  I think you now agree that change is needed….in format? In venue?  In amenities? In dinner choices? In entry categories?  In vendors?  In marketing the event?
What’s exciting is that we can look forward to those changes with a renewed spirit and interest.  And with innovation and hard work, we are rooting for you to redefine the HSB, and for the reincarnation to be likened to a Toyota Prius, rather than a Ford Edsel.
David Easa

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