Sal Goes to a Hula Lesson

Since the ukulele is a Hawaiian instrument, it makes sense that a ukulele group should be able to play a Hawaiian song or two.  With that in mind, four intrepid members of the Performing Flea group (subsidiary of the Cleveland Jumping Fleas) spent an evening with Dahmia -- a hula teacher extraordinaire.  Of course Sal came along to join in the fun.  Dahmia had agreed to teach us the hula hand motions for the song Beautiful Kauai.  We enjoyed a meal together and then Dahmia showed us the motions, and very kindly allowed me to videotape her with my phone so we could refer back to the recording when trying to remember what to do later.  She also had lots of fascinating tales to tell about the hula training program she attended.  You can find out more about her in this article from Cleveland Magazine. 

Dahmia and Sal

After the lesson I asked everyone to pose with Sal.  Of course Dahmia's ukulele had to be in the photo, too!  I'm usually camera-shy, but in this case I figured out a silly way I could be in the shot, so I decided to go for it.  I stood at the other end of the looooong conference table in the room and took a photo of the rest of the gang on either side of the mirror at the other end of the table.  From left to right:  Lisa, Nicole and Sal, my reflection, Bruce, Dahmia and her uke.

We had hoped to break out Beautiful Kauai at our next Singalong performance, which will be July 8th at the Middleburg Heights Library.  On reflection (pun intended -- see photo above), however, we realized that there is no way we will be able to do the song justice in the three remaining rehearsals we have -- considering that there are lots of other songs to work on, too.  But we will learn it!  And it will be awesome!

I asked Dahmia for her contact information -- thinking that some Travels With Sal readers may be interested in getting in touch for lessons.  You can e-mail her at Dahmia@hotmail.com   She teaches Middle Eastern and Polynesian dance each Thursday through the City of Wickliffe Recreation Department.  She also teaches and facilitates at girls' nights, weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays.  

Aloha!