Dance with Hui O Hula and Coconut Breeze is July 31

On Friday, July 31, LW musical band Coconut Breeze will turn Clubhouse 4 into a dance hall from 6-9 p.m. The free concert and dance party is open to all residents and their guests. Dancing is strongly encouraged.

Led by Craig Wilson of Mutual 3, Coconut Breeze has developed an enthusiastic following by performing music from many eras and genres.

Wilson, a retired architect, was once active in competitive sailing and taught others how to sail. He later became a competitive skier while attending college in Utah. Throughout his life, he has performed and traveled with different bands. Now retired in Leisure World, he continues that tradition.

The Coconut Breeze musicians bring a variety of professional backgrounds and life experiences to the stage. Mary Beth Goring, a psychologist who was born in Colombia, sings and plays guitar. Mutual 5 resident Leslie Wickman, a former aerospace engineer and current college professor who enjoys skiing, is one of the band’s vocalists. Bass player Mark Youngs of Mutual 8 is a former computer programmer and a versatile musician. Drummer Janell Hiebert, also of Mutual 8, is a newcomer to the group and an enthusiastic golfer. Kathie Moriarty of Mutual 3, a retired college professor, helps hold the entire production together as a percussionist, stagehand, organizer and loyal supporter of the band.

The July 31 evening will begin at 6 p.m. with hula dancing from Hui O Hula and audience participation. Dancer Lori “Lolo” Chamberlain will also appear as a guest singer, performing island favorites such as “Blue Hawaii” and “White Sandy Beach” with the band. Coconut Breeze will perform from 7-9 p.m.

The Coconut Rockettes will add even more energy to the evening. The group includes Moriarty, Rose Fitzpatrick of Mutual 15 and Phuoc Germine of Mutual 1. Fitzpatrick is a retired journalist who enjoys Leisure World classes and believes in pursuing leisure with a capital “L.” Germine formerly worked for the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam and retired as a medical records technician. She has also served as a board director and is an accomplished tai chi instructor.

The Rockettes are known for encouraging everyone to join the fun. Depending on where the music leads, the dance floor may include line dancing, free dancing and a conga line.

—Jojo Weingart