LIHUE — The Hawaii Line Dance Festival is this Friday and Saturday at the Kauai Veterans Center. And it’s also a fundraiser for the Veterans Center and Museum.
It’s open to anyone who wants to learn line dancing, practice their moves or meet others who enjoy this popular style of dancing.
Two world-class instructor of line dance, Joanne Brady of Delaware and Kat Painter of California, are expected to be on hand.
“The majority of those attending right now have this passion for line dancing,” said Jeffrey Callejo Jr., an organizer with Kauai Line Dance Group. “There’s a camaraderie that comes along with that.”
From 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, there will be dancing and lessons.
The main event, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, will include workshops, performances and open line dancing.
Last year, about 115 dancers from cross the state came out for the annual event, which was held at the Lihue Neighborhood Center, so it was a bit crowded.
“This year we decided to turn it into a two-day event,” Callejo said.
And while it’s generally been limited to dancers, it was decided to open it to the public.
A larger venue was found, too, at the Veterans Center. The fundraising goal is $25,000.
Callejo expects to see mostly intermediate dancers there, “but we will have beginners there,” he said.
Three instructors are coming over from the Big Island, while one is coming from Oahu.
Line dancing was a craze in the 90s and quickly cooled off, so it’s not as hot as it once was in the U.S., but remains popular in the United Kingdom.
An annual line-dancing celebration was held in Las Vegas in September, featuring six days and nights of line dancing. Callejo was there and won first place for choreography in his division.
He has choreographed two new dances that he said will be unveiled this weekend.
Cost is $15 for Friday, $30 for Saturday and $40 for both nights.
Register at bit.ly/2PLUBhB.
For information contact Callejo at tjre@hawaiirr.com