ACADEMY DANCE NEWS - Aloha Ballroom

ACADEMY FUNDRAISER @ HAPA’S FORHAWAII STAR BALL COMPETING STUDENTSMay 18, 2003 marked The Academy’s secondfundraiser event for 2003 with Louise Lambert’s Banddonating a portion of the proceeds ($50.00) toward thecosts incurred by Academy students competing at TheHawaii Star Ball under the coaching of Rita O’Connor.Costs incurred by competitors & instructors includecompetition entry fees, admission fees to the competition,airfares & accommodations among other items.This event also marked the farewell dance forLouise Lambert (now living in Las Vegas). There was aSpecial Guest appearance by Neto Peraza, Latin vocalist &guitarist. Mahalo to everyone who came and supported usthrough this event!DANCER SPREADS HAPPINESSBy Rita O’ConnorI got a call the other day from Bruce, who doesn’tdance, but is trying to make someone else happy by seeingthat they can do what they love to do: Ballroom dancing!The caller said, “I have a new acquaintance who’sMom is undergoing some medical procedures, but thetwinkle in her eyes come back when she talks aboutBallroom dancing. I don’t know what I can do for her, but Iwant to see that she is happy & enjoying life! Do you havesomeone who can take her out dancing?”We talked a while & I thought of a few Academystudents who might enjoy sharing their passion for dance &being a special angel for someone they don’t even know!Although his dance card is always full every day of theweek, I called Les Grimes!Les was delighted to be given the opportunity tobring joy into someone else’s life through dance. He hasalready escorted this lovely lady to one of Maui’s danceevents & just knowing that Les’s heart & dance card was bigenough for one more lady, I smiled and knew I did the rightthing for the caller, the woman, Les & my own heart!Mahalo Les Grimes for sharing the Aloha spirit &your love of dance! You’re a dance angel!FAIRCLOUGH’S HOST SUNDAY EVENINGTEA DANCES!During the first 2 quarters of 2003, Academystudents David & Nancy Fairclough have graciously offeredtheir home Ballroom dance floor for Saturday evening TeaDances! Academy attendees dressed up for these specialevenings of Ballroom & Latin dance in an intimate setting.Everyone in attendance had a delightful evening minglingwith fellow dancers, while practicing social dancing on abeautiful floating floor. Space is limited and reservationsare required!Following the Aloha spirit & proper social & guestetiquette guidelines, attendees should bring pupus, dessertand/or wine for the Fairclough’s potluck table. Come danceSalsa, Ballroom, Latin & Swing! The next event at theFairclough’s Kihei home will be announced during classes!Check the Academy Dance Bulletin Board for new dates inMay!JUNE 28 th - RITA’S BIRTHDAY BASH @ KCC!On June 28 th , two days before her actual birthday,our Instructor Rita O’Connor hosted her annual BirthdayParty and invited all Maui Ballroom & Latin dancers toattend the event! Under mini-lights suspended from theceiling, dancers enjoyed the evening of dancing & ascrumptious, elaborate buffet table; diners ate out underthe stars in the courtyard! Mahalo to all the grand chefswho created the spectacular dishes!The Birthday Girl Celebrates Another Fabulous Year With HerDance Friends – Rita O’Connor (Photo by Brian O’Connor)Les Grimes Is A VERY Popular Man With The Ladies!Barbara Cannon, Sunya Echternach, Julie Katz & Lynn Schorrsurround Les Grimes with smiles & appreciation!The dance hall walls were decorated with black-&-white copies of photographs of Rita throughout her life!Academy student, Terri Williams helped coordinate the“Happy Birthday” singing and cake cutting ceremony. Rita’sbeloved, Brian photographed each of the guests with “TheBirthday Girl” and captured many of the students dancingthroughout the evening, too! A loving Mahalo from Rita toall of the dancers & friends who made Rita’s birthday avery special & memorable one!