By Edna Ethington
Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club’s March Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A in Cerritos on March 20, 2019, was filled with a variety of songs and dances that members and customers could enjoy from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Starting with everyone singing of “America the Beautiful,” different groups in the club and individuals performed songs and dances of their choices or related to the theme of “Irish songs.”
The first group to perform was the A’ala Park Serenaders who sang an Irish Medley of songs. They were followed by David and Edna Ethington leading the singing of another Irish song, “The Gypsy Rover,” and the Bruno and the Brunettes singing “McNamara’s Band.” Bruno and the Brunettes were dressed in green and white for St. Patrick’s Day.
Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club’s Co-Presidents, Liberty Santiago and Carol Roxas, taught anyone who wanted to learn, the steps to the line dance “Stealing the Best,” that looked like an Irish jig. A few brave customers and members tried to do the line dance.
There was a Hawaiian segment of the entertainment with Hula Kupuna Hedy Harrison Anduha singing two songs in Hawaiian and leading the club’s Na Kupunawahine in dancing to song “Island Style.”
Hedy’s husband Larry Anduha joined in the fun and sang “Return to Me” accompanied by Bette Kurihara on ukulele. Larry also attempted to sing a duet to “Sweet Someone’ with Hedy.
A surprise addition to the program was that of Glenda Ujii leading the singing the Japanese song, “Sakura” for cherry blossoms. She was accompanied by Bette Kurihara, Kyle Izumihara, and Marion Tesoro as they celebrated the first day of Spring. Members participated by singing the song and doing the hand motions related to the song demonstrated by Glenda.
Other surprise additions to the program were Tahitian dances performed by two granddaughters of members, David and Edna Ethington’s granddaughter, Celeste, and George and Meling Agcaoili’s granddaughter, Lehua. Lehua had come with her family from Florida to celebrate grandfather George’s 80th birthday. They both danced beautifully to Tahitian drumming.
During the open microphone time, Hedy Anduha volunteered to lead the singing of two fun songs, “Spam, Better Than Ham” and “Spam Musubi.” It made people want to go home and make Spam Musubi. Hedy Anduha’s talents as a singer and dancer were greatly appreciated.
Edna thanked Chick-fil-A for their hospitality and support of Da’ Hawaii Seniors Club’s Irish Spirit Night. She introduced Marion Tesoro as the organizer of the next Spirit Night in April, which will be on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Chick-fil-A Cerritos. The theme of the April Spirit Night will be rainy day songs, oldies, and favorites. Marion asked if anyone had the music for “Easter Parade” and people put on bonnets or hats, they might have an Easter Parade.
The evening ended with everyone standing in a circle, holding hands and singing of “Hawaii Aloha” and “Aloha O’e” and wishing Aloha to all.
Photos Courtesy of Edna Ethington and Julie Koga
