2011 HBDA Telemark Ball

Last Saturday, on March 5, 2011, the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association had their annual Telemark Ball. This event featured performances by their instructors or Telmarks, and brought in the new Queen of the Telemark, Gregoria Carreon.

Debra and I arrived early to get a good seat and we arrived just in time to see the Telemarks getting in a final rehearsal for their line dance. There were some serious faces - they wanted to make sure that they got it right for the performance later in the evening.

Fortunately, we were early enough to secure a couple of good seats and I was able to get some pretty good shots of the performances. Don't forget to click and enlarge the images.

We put our belongings down on our seats and went out and had our bentos. While we were eating, the crowd started to grow and soon the floor was full of general dancers.

Jack Legal, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening started the program, projecting his broadcaster-like voice. The show was about to begin.

The Telemark Ball is a fundraiser to support HBDA's corps of instructors. Every year, the Telemarks select a Queen. The reigning Queen from last year was Rose Andres. She would be one of the first couples to dance. She'll be followed by the new Queen of the Telemark, Gregoria Carreon, escorted by her husband, Daniel Carreon.

To begin the program, there was the procession of the Queen's Court, with flagbearers, Jensen Ross A. Fontanilla and Tiana Paranada Reyes. The Scepter Bearer was Tiana Paranada Reyes, and the Crown Bearer was Christian Jacob Paranada Ribao.

Following the procession of the Queen's Court, all the Telemarks were introduced, the Assistant Dance Directors, Rotating Dance Directors, and, of course, Dance Director and Associate Director, Benny and Faith Agbayani.

Following the Telemark line dance, first to perform were Roselily Andres (2010 Telemark Queen) with Esmeniao Andres, performing the Viennese Waltz. What a stunning dress.

One of the highlights of the evening was the incoming Telemark Queen, Gregoria Carreon performing a Waltz with her escort and husband, Daniel Carreon.

The new Telemark Queen, taking her walk around the ballroom followed by a dance with the Dance Director.

Mark and Patty Dela Cruz performing a Samba.

Rotating Instructors, Melvin and Cynthia Chow performing the NiteClub Two-Step.

Rotating Instructors, Mike Agor and Marcia Sorbo performing a Rumba choreographed by Doug Kessler.


Rotating Instructors, Theo and Diana Behic, performing the Fox Trot.

Assistant Dance Director, John Kotake & Rotating Instructor, Karen Kotake performing a NiteClub Two-Step.

Assistant Dance Director, Romeo Quemado & Rotating Instructor, Miriam Quemado performing a Tango choreographed by Al Franz.

Rotating Instructors, Albert Lui and Shu Weng performing a Quickstep choreographed by Al Franz.

Assistant Dance Director, Melvin Camat & Rotating Instructor, Susan Masumoto, performing a Rumba.

Dance Director, Benny Agbayani, with Associate Director, Faith Agbayani, dancing a Waltz together.

The Telemarks performing a parting Waltz at the conclusion of the performances.

There was lots of general dancing for all to enjoy.

There was a lot on the program at the HBDA Telemark Ball. I hope I got everything right. If I made any mistakes, in properly naming the performers and their performances, I apologize and hope my pictures make up for any errors.

Oh, and check out the short video clip of the Telemark line dance. Sure looked like a lot of fun!

With Aloha,

Calvin & Debra