ACADEMY DANCE NEWS - Latin and Ballroom Dancing on Maui

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CORPORATE BOARD of DIRECTORS Julie Claire Holmes, Brian O’Connor & Rita O’Connor DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES By Jack Condy, 92 years old It’s hard to believe, but the first professional dance lesson I ever took was here on Maui in 2005. I started dancing when I was about 8 years old with my Mother in Brooklyn, NY in 1921. The first dance I ever learned was an Irish Wheel, which was originally called a ‘Stack of Barley’. I would stop to the count of eight with the music <strong>and</strong> then go back eight steps. You then did a box turn <strong>and</strong> started it all over again, repeating it throughout the song. It wasn’t a difficult dance, <strong>and</strong> I picked it up fairly quickly. My mother commented on just how quickly I had gotten it. the rest. But to this day - only 80 plus years later, the Foxtrot is my still my very favorite. As I grew older during the late ‘20's we used to go to the Basketball games on Fridays <strong>and</strong> Sundays, after which they always had dancing for a couple of hours. At the time, double breasted suits were all the rage. <strong>Dancing</strong> was very popular, particularly while Prohibition was in effect. When Prohibition ended we switched direction <strong>and</strong> spent more of our time dancing in the road houses. During the Depression, though, dancing was the most enjoyable <strong>and</strong> most economical past time. During the 30's, before I got married in ‘36, we would go to night spots. My wife <strong>and</strong> I danced a great deal together. We seemed to be able to follow each other naturally <strong>and</strong> luckily for us, the dance trends as well. One evening at one of the dance halls we were approached by someone who wanted to know if we‘d like to become professional dancers. Because of the situation of the times we had to refuse. But we continued to dance, this time at the Fire Department, which was where most of the dances were held. However, it wasn’t too much later that our first baby arrived <strong>and</strong> it wasn’t too much longer after that I left for the War. During this period I learned how to Polka. While I was in the Army I was able to dance in some of the most beautiful dance halls in Europe, <strong>and</strong> that’s where I learned to do the Viennese Waltz. It was also about this time that the Jitterbug became popular. When I finally got home from Europe we ended up doing most of our dancing at the American Legion. Here it is, all these years later, <strong>and</strong> now I live on Maui. I like watching Hula at the MACC <strong>and</strong> I don't know what I'd do with my time if I wasn't part of the Aloha <strong>Ballroom</strong> Dance Academy. At the young age of 92 I'm attempting to learn the latest steps (for me at least) like the Cha Cha, Mambo <strong>and</strong> Salsa. I enjoy dancing as much as I ever did, but due to my shortness of breath <strong>and</strong> the fast moving steps, I can't always keep up with everyone. After my wife passed away I had joined a Bowling Team only to find out a few years later that I'd rather hold a soft woman in my arms than a 12 pound bowling ball in my h<strong>and</strong>. Thanks to Rita <strong>and</strong> Brian <strong>and</strong> all my new friends in the Dance Academy that keep me going AND keep me dancing. <strong>ACADEMY</strong> MISSION STATEMENT Aloha <strong>Ballroom</strong> Dance Academy is an educational, nonprofit 501-c3 corporation whose purpose is to educate the public about <strong>Ballroom</strong> & <strong>Latin</strong> dancing through professionally instructed group classes <strong>and</strong> public performances. MVVP <strong>DANCE</strong> REFLECTIONS By Gary & Geneva Thornton Academy Student, Jack Condy Photo by Dan Cunningham A few years later we moved to Floral Park, Long Isl<strong>and</strong>, NY where I was able to start attending the ‘block parties’ that were held occasionally during the summer. My sister, Ethel, who was 6 years older, taught me the dances that were popular during the time. The first one I recall was the Foxtrot, then I progressed to the Black Bottom, the Charleston, the Peabody, the Waltz <strong>and</strong> It was also during the beginning of WWII that I learned how to roller skate <strong>and</strong> eventually learned how to dance <strong>and</strong> roller skate at the same time, which included the Waltz <strong>and</strong> a Conga line. This was a great exercise in balance. The Conga line required me to kick each foot forward alternately as I was skating backwards. Luckily I never was injured. Now if you were able to do that with no mistakes the prize was free admission to the skating rink the following week. 4 Academy Students & Dance Lovers, Gary & Geneva Thornton. Photo by Rita O’Connor March 25 th 6 pm, the night of the Aloha <strong>Ballroom</strong> Dance Academy’s “Most Valuable Volunteers Party.” The guests began arriving at the home of Brian & Rita O’Connor. The red carpet was unfurled. The cameras flashed! We were ushered into the stylish front room by our hosts Brian & Rita. Brian as always
was his suave, urban self <strong>and</strong> Rita dressed in a cropped asymmetrical shoulder top of a chic intarsia animal pattern <strong>and</strong> wearing club slacks with a dropped waistline reveling cascading diamonds, as the side of her leg in peeka-boo style presented a picture of casual classic elegance. A multi-tiered domed étagère holding an exquisite collection of fine bone china crystal stemware <strong>and</strong> several beautifully sculpted crystal dancers filled one side of the room. Dual outsized shadow-boxes holding faux banyan topiaries completed the poised symmetry. Our buffet dinner began with a selection of wines: a frosty Merlot, a tangy Riesling <strong>and</strong> a sparkling apple cider. Then tomatoes, avocado, deviled eggs, olive, pickles <strong>and</strong> a variety of cheeses <strong>and</strong> meats were next. Turkey casseroles, chicken & pasta dishes, baked salmon, tarragon chicken <strong>and</strong> tomato-glazed meatloaf were just some of the entrees. The dessert table was an absolute wonder. Pineapple upside-down cake, apple cobbler, pies & cookies filled the table. At the center was the piece de resistance: a multi-tiered chiffon cake topped by strawberry mousse was a visual delight. Thank you Joe [Faiella], Wolfgang [Puck] would have been proud. We receded in the outer gardens with tables lit with c<strong>and</strong>elabra centerpieces. The sibilant sounds of a dozen conversations filled the air; “I loved Wicked”…”I can’t believe Brokeback didn’t win”…”Reese was terrific, but how about Charlize”…”George Mason?”….”How could U. Conn. Lose?”…”go UCLA!”…”when will dancing with the Stars return?” Our dinner party could only be compared to a balzacian cenacle. A light rain brought the party indoors, <strong>and</strong> now the conversation turned to our latest salsa step taught at the Academy. Mike [Mateja], Frank [Hook] & Les [Grimes] took Geneva [Thornton], Cheri [Ridings], <strong>and</strong> S<strong>and</strong>y [Hook] onto the floor <strong>and</strong> led them through a dazzling array of double h<strong>and</strong> holds, head wraps, shadows <strong>and</strong> traveling “CBLs” (crossbody leads). Rita & Brian thanked all of us for our dedication, but it is we who give thanks to them for introducing us to a world of developes, ruedas, cortes, showcase dancing <strong>and</strong> Star Balls. Rita & Brian, you have brought to us a touch of star quality. HOW TO BECOME AN MVVP Would YOU like to be invited to the next exclusive MVVP event? Then you should meet Shelley Ting, the Kihei Chapter’s Volunteer Coordinator/ Vice President. Shelley can match your talents, skills & time availability with the right area of Volunteering with the Academy! Areas of assistance are needed in: Sound system Setup/Breakdown, Floor Maintenance, Decorations, Event Set-up, Potluck Organization, Special Dance Events, Registration, Social Activities, Ticket Sales, Guest Registration, Website, Photography, Fundraising, Hostess/Greeter, Publicity, Newsletter, Office Work, Legal Assistance, Accounting Services <strong>and</strong> more! SPECIAL MVVP RECEIPIENTS The Academy recognizes the following Academy students for their outst<strong>and</strong>ing contributions during the Fourth Quarter of 2004: Gera Anderson-Diaz Rosie Alex<strong>and</strong>er Dave Archambeault Diana Baker Ron Baybayan Marty-Jean Bender Willy Bennett Gary & Ana Bl<strong>and</strong> Shel Braidman Ni Made Budiani Kyra Cadorna Cosco Carlbom Jack Condy Deanna Craig Daniel Cunningham Mike & Jeanne Doerr Cherry Domingo Diane Dunn Sunya Echternach Kitty Edwards Tom & Micki Ewing Joe Faiella David & Nancy Fairclough Steve Frayer Valerie Fukuda James Furumizo Andrea Giammattei Patrice Goodermont Dennis & Jenifer Goss 5 Les Grimes Eddie Guerrero Terry Hans Bunny Harding Ken Hayo John Hew Julie Cliare Holmes S<strong>and</strong>y & Frank Hook Alice & Richard Inouye Annie & Phil Johnson Cindy Johnson Kai Johnson Francine Kamimoto Jeanne Keating Bobbie Kopelman Gary Lite Mike & Nancy Mateja Patricia Mayfield Karen McGinnis Terri Mister Burnham Moffat Brian Nakano Lynann Nicely Brian & Rita O’Connor Kachina Palencia Milam Pender Tamara Perkins Rita Perry Lucas Peterson Carol Ann Pratt Grace Provost Steve Quigley Charlie & Cheri Ridings Ron Rinaldi Eric Roberts Daniel Sanchez Venassa Senkaya Lee Shapiro Barbara Singer Steve Slater Keoki Sousa Susan Starkey Art & Flossie Sumabat C<strong>and</strong>le Summers Francis & Etsuko Taomoto John Tattsuke Geneva & Gary Thornton Shelley Ting Jim & Sue Van Blarigan Jade Wagner Colie Warren Maggie Wong Carol Yamamura Charles & Annie Yane Al Ynigez Janet Yokoyama Larry Zolezzi MAHALO TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!!
Page 1 and 2: Academy Dance News 2005-2006 ALOHA
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Page 9 and 10: Masks, Streamers, New Orleans-style

ACADEMY DANCE NEWS - Latin and Ballroom Dancing on Maui

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