Street Dancer

By Wilson Okumura, Lualualei

I think that the easiest and most fun way to get into ballroom dancing is the street dancers way, through Night Clubbing and Line Dancing. And we sure need more street dancers and Night Clubs that can sell other types of drinks besides alcohol and water.  Street dancers develop the most natural styling in the world. They feel good and they can look good. None of this "store bought" stuff. You can see good street dancers everyday in your life at any Salsa dance.

"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do."

Night Clubs: First for men is to find a lady willing to dance with you on a Night Club floor. That is not as difficult as it may seem. If you can strike up a conversation first, it would help. You can start the slow dances and using only the walking style. For sure, don't look for an accomplished dancer. Look for one that is struggling just like you but enjoys moving to music. Sloppy? Don't worry about it, that's it. That is Da Beginning!

The main thing is the enjoyment of moving to music, and of course the different moves that allow you to enjoy it even more. Many moves will be repeated in sheer joy over and over again for the rest of your life. And you will be well on your way to what has been known as "Social Dancing."

"With Plenty Of Money And You" by Tony Bennett.

Line Dancing: For learning steps and routines. No need for partner, and it requires learning a routine which does not cover too many measures and is repeated over and over again until the end of the song. Not having a partner is some advantage for you can accent the movement anywhere you wish and develop your own style as long as you are enjoying the music to the max.

Fortunately, the music is somewhat similar to ballroom. Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Samba. All of them and then some. Learning to enjoy some of the different rhythms is essential to becoming a good Universal dancer. Look for dances which have one basic rhythm movement. If they have too many "Mickey Mouse" movements it becomes "show business."

You will learn the walking steps, which are very few in Line dancing. The rock step with a slow step and the chassė. A  rock step with either one or two chassės. That will just about cover your basics in line dancing and you can move into ballroom very easily.

Supplement this with the American Style of Dance that you can learn just about anywhere on this Island and you have it made in the shade.

You want to compete? Your best bet is International Style. But if you want to do it "correctly" it's gonna cost. That is a bit different kind of fun. It just ain't Da Reel Teeng.

Pub's Note: Last call for the Holly Jolly Trolley Ride. Get your tickets before November 14 for only $38, after that the regular $45 will do.

 "It wouldn't be so bad if civilization as we know it were only at the crossroads. But we are in one of those cloverleaf jobs."