Visalia Smooth Dancers
Ballroom dancing since 1975
Luau Dinner-Dance July 2026
Tamara and Hitomi greet arrivals with Mark
Sukhdeep Earl
Norma Matt
Tamara wins a door prize
Mark and Adelle
Sallie, Jim and Sue
Sukhdeep Linda
Larry Sukhdeep Linda
Photos by Lew Griswold, Craig McNeilly, Sukhdeep Grewal, Margaret Moholt, Michelle Peters
One lucky winner per table claimed the centerpiece. Sukhdeep, with Randy
Margaret & Marivel show pineapple and tiki doll
Samba dance lesson
Dean and Cheryl
Eileen teaches the Samba
Randy Sukhdeep Lew
Tom and Sue
Ed Susan
Sukhdeep Kathleen
Alice thanks Linda for the great dinner
Karl and Linda take a bow for all their hard work preparing dinner. Linda holds a plant -- a thank you gift from Commitee Chair Manuel.
Diane. So many desserts
Marivel shows her raffle winnings
Cheryl Sallie
Wendy Florence
Danny and Laura
Dance friends visit
Bill Alice Susan
Norma Mary
Sally
Michelle and friends share a table
Kelly
Jim and Sue
Fresno dance friends
Lydia & Steve
Cindy & Henry
Carolyn Carol
David and Carol
Michelle Ahmed
Tim Matt
Craig Linda Kathleen Dan
The Committee:
Tamara, Hitomi, Manuel, Marivel, Larry, Mary, Suhkdeep, Maria
July Dance Report
July 2026
What a great event!
Upon entering the hall of the Veterans Memorial Building in Exeter for the annual July luau dinner-dance, all members and guests were welcomed by Tamara Galli and Hitomi Ramirez at check-in. Flower leis were laid out for all to wear. With music rolling softly into our ears — tunes chosen and played by our very special DJ John Guttierrez — a fun evening was about to unfold.
A tropical vibe filled the air thanks to all the lovely Hawaiian shirts and colorful flowing tropical dresses. Also, many ladies wore flowers in their hair.
Committee members set the tone as each person was all decked out in Hawaiian prints, multicolored leis and festive flowers in hair and hats. It was all very pleasing to the eye and helped us escape for an evening into the musical, magical world of dance. One could almost feel a light breeze upon the cheeks, which made us all forget the very hot weather just outside the building.
Centerpieces of palm trees, fresh fruits and flowers graced each table, all framed by colorful tablecloths of yellow, red, green and orange, plus matching napkins. Palm trees and flowers graced the stage as well, and there were Tiki dolls on the tables.
A dance lesson – the Samba taught by lovely Eileen – emptied many chairs and made the dance floor active. The hour went by fast.
This set the stage for general dancing. We danced to an amazing array of tunes – waltz, tango, foxtrot, country, rhythm, Latin etc. Dancers showed off their moves and steps, and the more seasoned dancers were very
patient in leading newcomers, and everyone felt involved and included.
The scrumptious dinner of lovely salads, tropical fruits and flavorful chicken (prepared by the amazing Karl Richards) was organized under the expert supervision of Linda Guttierrez.
Sukhdeep
The dessert table proved to be a draw due to the array of cakes, pies and flan. It was a clear winner, with many circling back to taste some more.
The door prizes were thrilling as usual. Guests and members took their prizes home. The centerpieces also served as door prizes, with one person per table claiming the tropical fruit trays and adding to the excitement.
The 50/50 raffle was happily won by Marivel.
Thank you to the committee for all the hard work. Committee members received so many compliments.
The Luau Dance committee was composed of Manuel Madrid (Chair), Tamara Galli, Hitomi Ramirez, Sukhdeep Grewal, Marivel Villarreal, Larry Brown, Mary Brown, Maria Helm, John Guttierrez (Music) and Linda Guttierrez. Karl Richards deserves a special thanks and recognition for the multiple hours he spent working so diligently to make everything special.
A very special thanks to all the club members and guests for sharing their enthusiasm on a dreamy evening filled with the warmth of friendships old and new.
– Sukhdeep Grewal
Lew Griswold
