Contra Dance in Hawai'i
Come join the Fun!
Traditional, Celtic/Irish Live Music
by our fabulous band Whiskey Starship
O'ahu Dances
● First and Third Saturdays of each month.
● 7:00-9:30 pm at Paradise Park, 3737 Manoa Road. See picture and map below.
● 7:00-9:30 pm at Paradise Park, 3737 Manoa Road. See picture and map below.
● Parking is along the main roadway immediately in front of the building entrance. The dance will be in the hall on the ground level.
● Live music is provided by Whiskey Starship.
● No dance partner or experience is required.
● Dress is casual; wear comfortable no-scuff shoes.
● Great exercise! You may want to bring a water bottle, or you can buy bottled water at the snack shop.
● NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: if you haven't Contra danced before, try to get there 15 minutes early for the dance orientation. The first part of the evening is especially good for getting a feel for what it's all about. The caller will explain and teach all the moves for every dance, all evening. All dances are taught and new dancers are welcome to jump in at any time.
● All dances are free! We depend on donations from dancers and friends to support this fun and healthy activity. Click here for a donation form.
● For more information or to arrange special events, contact:
Bob Crone
phone (808) 262-5277
email bobcrone@earthlink.net
● Live music is provided by Whiskey Starship.
● No dance partner or experience is required.
● Dress is casual; wear comfortable no-scuff shoes.
● Great exercise! You may want to bring a water bottle, or you can buy bottled water at the snack shop.
● NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: if you haven't Contra danced before, try to get there 15 minutes early for the dance orientation. The first part of the evening is especially good for getting a feel for what it's all about. The caller will explain and teach all the moves for every dance, all evening. All dances are taught and new dancers are welcome to jump in at any time.
● All dances are free! We depend on donations from dancers and friends to support this fun and healthy activity. Click here for a donation form.
● For more information or to arrange special events, contact:
Bob Crone
phone (808) 262-5277
email bobcrone@earthlink.net
Help Dennis, Please!
Dennis Suyeoka, a member of our contra dance band, Whiskey Starship, was rushed to Queens Hospital in early January with difficulty speaking and controlling his muscles. As the condition worsened over the course of a week he was placed in intensive care with a diagnosis of Botulism.
Although he has improved since then and was released from the hospital on January 16, he still has difficulty talking due to limited control of his facial muscles. He is expected to make a full recovery but faces several months until he reaches that point.
For his "day job" Dennis owns and operates Coffeeline, a coffee shop and gathering place just off the campus of the University of Hawaii. Due to his limited insurance coverage, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover his medical bills and basic living expenses (utilities, cell phone bill, groceries, internet, etc.) over this long recovery process. Also, to maintain Coffeeline, the rent for the past 3 months has been covered to ensure it is still around when Dennis is ready to return.
So we are requesting members of the contra dance community to go to his Go Fund Me page (https://www.gofundme.com/dennis-coffeeline-needs-your-help) and donate what you can to help Dennis out. He really needs it and will greatly appreciate it.
Although he has improved since then and was released from the hospital on January 16, he still has difficulty talking due to limited control of his facial muscles. He is expected to make a full recovery but faces several months until he reaches that point.
For his "day job" Dennis owns and operates Coffeeline, a coffee shop and gathering place just off the campus of the University of Hawaii. Due to his limited insurance coverage, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover his medical bills and basic living expenses (utilities, cell phone bill, groceries, internet, etc.) over this long recovery process. Also, to maintain Coffeeline, the rent for the past 3 months has been covered to ensure it is still around when Dennis is ready to return.
So we are requesting members of the contra dance community to go to his Go Fund Me page (https://www.gofundme.com/dennis-coffeeline-needs-your-help) and donate what you can to help Dennis out. He really needs it and will greatly appreciate it.
-- Special Announcement --
Contra Dancers of Hawaii will have a third contra dance in April, on Friday April 26. The dance will be from 6:30 to 8:30 pm under the stars at the beautiful Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe in conjunction with a Bluegrass Hawaii weekend campout (see http://www.bluegrasshawaii.com/binkapr19.html for information about the campout). Our regular band, Whiskey Starship, and our regular callers will be there. Also Darrow Hand, our former caller who moved to the mainland, will be visiting and will also call at this additional April contra dance.
DIRECTIONS TO GET TO HO`OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens located in Kaneohe is located off of either Likelike Highway (best route from Honolulu) or Kamehameha Higway. On Likelike Highway look for the sign for a right hand turn to Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens shortly after the intersection with Kahekili Highway. On Kamehameha Highway look for the sign for a left hand turn to Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens a block before the intersection with Likelike Highway. Once turned off of either highway, follow the signs to entrance gate to Ho`omaluhia.
ENTRANCE AND EXIT TIMES AT HO`OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS: Ho`omaluhia closes at 4:00 pm every day and the gates are closed and locked at that time. However, there are two other gate openings that are important for us. The gates reopen from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and visitors (i.e., us) with parking passes may come and go. Once in the park, proceed to Bluegrass Hawaii campout at the Kahua Nui camping area. Also, the gates reopen once again from 9:00 to 9:15 pm for exit only. Thus, the contra dancing is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to align with these gate openings for entrance and exit.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION: In order to enter Ho`omaluhia between 5:30 and 6:30 pm you will need to call ahead to the Visitors' Center (phone number 233-7323) for a parking pass sometime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on Friday, April 26, and ask them to leave your parking pass with the security guard at the gate. During the phone call you will need to provide your license plate number, make of your car, number of people in your party and the name of the campground you are going to (Kahua Nui). Also let them know you are with Bluegrass Hawaii. Then, if you arrive between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, the guard will let you in.
RULES OF THE PARK: Also, please kokua and follow the rules of the park ---
- Do not park on the grass. Vehicles must stay on paved road and parking lots at all times.
- Alcohol, fireworks, firearms, generators, amplifiers and electric plug use is not permitted.
- Fires are not allowed outside of designated areas.
- No pets. No ball playing or similar activities.
- Collection of any plants, fruits, flowers, seeds and/or other plant parts is not permitted.
- Do not tie, nail or attach anything to trees or structures.
- Swimming or wading in the lake and streams is not permitted.
- Please respect, comply and follow the rules and directions from the Botanical Gardens staff.
DIRECTIONS TO GET TO HO`OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens located in Kaneohe is located off of either Likelike Highway (best route from Honolulu) or Kamehameha Higway. On Likelike Highway look for the sign for a right hand turn to Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens shortly after the intersection with Kahekili Highway. On Kamehameha Highway look for the sign for a left hand turn to Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens a block before the intersection with Likelike Highway. Once turned off of either highway, follow the signs to entrance gate to Ho`omaluhia.
ENTRANCE AND EXIT TIMES AT HO`OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS: Ho`omaluhia closes at 4:00 pm every day and the gates are closed and locked at that time. However, there are two other gate openings that are important for us. The gates reopen from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and visitors (i.e., us) with parking passes may come and go. Once in the park, proceed to Bluegrass Hawaii campout at the Kahua Nui camping area. Also, the gates reopen once again from 9:00 to 9:15 pm for exit only. Thus, the contra dancing is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to align with these gate openings for entrance and exit.
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION: In order to enter Ho`omaluhia between 5:30 and 6:30 pm you will need to call ahead to the Visitors' Center (phone number 233-7323) for a parking pass sometime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on Friday, April 26, and ask them to leave your parking pass with the security guard at the gate. During the phone call you will need to provide your license plate number, make of your car, number of people in your party and the name of the campground you are going to (Kahua Nui). Also let them know you are with Bluegrass Hawaii. Then, if you arrive between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, the guard will let you in.
RULES OF THE PARK: Also, please kokua and follow the rules of the park ---
- Do not park on the grass. Vehicles must stay on paved road and parking lots at all times.
- Alcohol, fireworks, firearms, generators, amplifiers and electric plug use is not permitted.
- Fires are not allowed outside of designated areas.
- No pets. No ball playing or similar activities.
- Collection of any plants, fruits, flowers, seeds and/or other plant parts is not permitted.
- Do not tie, nail or attach anything to trees or structures.
- Swimming or wading in the lake and streams is not permitted.
- Please respect, comply and follow the rules and directions from the Botanical Gardens staff.
Other Dancing in Hawai'i
There are several folk dance groups in Hawai'i: International Folk Dancers of Hawaii , Mandala International Folk Dancers, and Hawaii Israeli Recreational Dance. In addition there are Square Dance clubs, as well as Scottish country dance and Scandinavian dance groups. There are also plenty of opportunities for Swing, Country Western, Latin, and ballroom dancing. The DanceHawaii web site has information on all sorts of dance, from contra through country to rave.
For English Country dancing on O'ahu, contact Ed Grant at englishcd@yahoo.com or 808-372-9018.
You can also check the entertainment sections of local papers.
For English Country dancing on O'ahu, contact Ed Grant at englishcd@yahoo.com or 808-372-9018.
You can also check the entertainment sections of local papers.
Dance Vacation Weeks in Hawai'i
George Marshall often organizes a Tropical Dance Vacation in Hawai'i in the early spring.
Booking Bands
For information about the band Whiskey Starship and to book engagements, contact Abby Brown - Irishflutehawaii@gmail.com
For information about the Kaimana Ceili Band and to book engagements, contact Wilson Pang - wpang@gte.net
For information about the Kaimana Ceili Band and to book engagements, contact Wilson Pang - wpang@gte.net
What is Contra Dancing?
● The Honolulu Star Bulletin article about contra dance, including pictures of a Hawai'i dance
● A Contra Dance Primer, a brief introduction for beginners
● Gary Shapiro's What is Contra Dance?, a longer introduction to contra
● A Contra Dance Primer, a brief introduction for beginners
● Gary Shapiro's What is Contra Dance?, a longer introduction to contra
Contra Dancing on the Web
● New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA), a beautifully designed site with a Yahoo-ish index of folk-oriented links.
● The Contra Corners site, of the Louisville Country Dancers, has a nation-wide index of dances and dance links.
● The Country Dance and Song Society is the major membership organization for contra dancers: mail-order store, newsletter, camps, and workshops.
● Best of the Web - Contradance - a helpful resource for researching contradance on the Internet.
● Contra Dance Links - an incredibly detailed site maintained by Charlie Seelig, with information about contra dancing in the United States, Canada, and the World. The site includes links to web pages for contra dance organizations, bands and musicians, callers, festivals, and other resources, and also has schedules for dancing--all by region. Check it out!
● The Contra Corners site, of the Louisville Country Dancers, has a nation-wide index of dances and dance links.
● The Country Dance and Song Society is the major membership organization for contra dancers: mail-order store, newsletter, camps, and workshops.
● Best of the Web - Contradance - a helpful resource for researching contradance on the Internet.
● Contra Dance Links - an incredibly detailed site maintained by Charlie Seelig, with information about contra dancing in the United States, Canada, and the World. The site includes links to web pages for contra dance organizations, bands and musicians, callers, festivals, and other resources, and also has schedules for dancing--all by region. Check it out!
The Contradancers of Hawaii's Collection of Dances and Tunes
● The Hawai'i collection of traditional contra dances and English country dances, with tunes you can play on your computer.
The collection includes:
● The country dances in Pride and Prejudice, from the 1995 A&E/BBC production of Jane Austen's novel.
● The Hawai'i collection of tunes in abc format
● Other sources of traditional music on the Web
● Other collections of contra dances on the Web
The collection includes:
● The country dances in Pride and Prejudice, from the 1995 A&E/BBC production of Jane Austen's novel.
● The Hawai'i collection of tunes in abc format
● Other sources of traditional music on the Web
● Other collections of contra dances on the Web
Contradancers of Hawai'i is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the Country Dance and Song Society.
Website maintenance: Dick Burson
Last revised: April 22, 2019
Last revised: April 22, 2019
