Will You Take This Dance?

Let's take this dance, get down, and gobble!

During my birthday week and this Thanksgiving season, I took on the #PBSHawaiiNeighbor Challenge with the help of my friend who recorded and uploaded my version of Mr. Rogers' "Won't You Be My Neighbor" to support PBS Hawaii. I was joined by two turkey bird co-stars and dance partners at Waimanalo Country Farms' Sunflower field. We had a ball.

I want to thank my family, friends, neighbors, and our community for supporting PBS Hawaii. Click here to check out the #PBSHawaiiNeighbor playlist.

To learn more about the #PBSHawaiiNeighbor Challenge and how to donate to PBS Hawaii visit: PBSHawaii.org/neighbor

Speaking of dance, to close off 2020 with a post birthday gift, I began taking private funk dance lessons by dance teacher Headache of Hype, one of the finalists of America's Got Talent.

It's my first time learning the foundation of "boogaloo" and "popping," a funk dance style that originated in the 1970s. Even with 16 years of live performance experience under my belt, this will be a challenge for me. I am one of the most uncoordinated when it comes to learn how to dance, but I am willing to go there. Be vulnerable and get out of my comfort zone. There are so many layers to popping and I would like to build on my dance vocabulary. It's going to be a humbling season.

For the most part, as an untrained dancer, I watched film of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Michael Jackson. Poppers I've been inspired by are Skill Roy, Funky T, Headache, Boogaloo Sam, Popin Pete, Popin EQ, Popin Sushi, Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers, Jeffrey Daniels, Bionic Man, Slim Boogie, Jabbawockeez, Surf Boogie, Biomechanix, Ace, Pharside, Ian Navasca, Silk, Hoan, Rodney Phung, Illosophy, J Boog, Jabez, Fu Manchu, D King, and the list goes on.

Below are photos from my performances, rehearsals and photoshoots through the years that features me dancing...

Jason Tom Global Dance Cafe Performance.

Moonwalk Rehearsal at Global Dance Cafe.

Global Dance Cafe performance....

Joined by Belly Dancers at Puja Dance Production.

An opener to my Puja Dance Production performance.

Joined by Anasma at Puja Dance Production...

An angular circle glide at Puja Dance Production.

Williamsburg Bridge of Manhattan, New York.

Side gliding in Manhattan, New York.

Live toe stand on the Music With A Message Tour at McKinley High School.

Side gliding in San Francisco.

Moonwalk rehearsal prior to Global Dance Cafe.

Rocking a company party!

James Brown funky footwork at Moon Festival

14 comments

KEONE Waianae
Dec 4 2020 7:26 PM

Aloha Jason, sorry that I haven’t been responding to your messages lately. For closing out 2020, I was thinking of going back to the start of my journey with God. See I’m not a smart guy as you are but I know that through Christ I can overcome and accomplish anything I put my mind to. Always I really loved your blog about neighbors, it reminds me how Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself. Okay well.. that’s all I have to say for now. Keep up the good work and keeping on pressing forward.

Aloha Jason, sorry that I haven’t been responding to your messages lately. For closing out 2020, I was thinking of going back to the start of my journey with God. See I’m not a smart guy as you are but I know that through Christ I can overcome and accomplish anything I put my mind to. Always I really loved your blog about neighbors, it reminds me how Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself. Okay well.. that’s all I have to say for now. Keep up the good work and keeping on pressing forward.
KEONE Waianae
Dec 4 2020 7:26 PM

Aloha Jason, sorry that I haven’t been responding to your messages lately. For closing out 2020, I was thinking of going back to the start of my journey with God. See I’m not a smart guy as you are but I know that through Christ I can overcome and accomplish anything I put my mind to. Always I really loved your blog about neighbors, it reminds me how Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself. Okay well.. that’s all I have to say for now. Keep up the good work and keeping on pressing forward.

Aloha Jason, sorry that I haven’t been responding to your messages lately. For closing out 2020, I was thinking of going back to the start of my journey with God. See I’m not a smart guy as you are but I know that through Christ I can overcome and accomplish anything I put my mind to. Always I really loved your blog about neighbors, it reminds me how Jesus says love your neighbor as yourself. Okay well.. that’s all I have to say for now. Keep up the good work and keeping on pressing forward.
Scott Kona
Dec 4 2020 8:10 PM

Closing out 2020 praying as hard as I've ever prayed that our Country continues on the path we've been going towards bringing God BACK into the public sphere where He was at our founding vs shoving Him out/turning our backs on Him as was the trend up until recently. Keep up your great work reaching out to the youth, guiding them towards becoming productive citizens realizing their full God-given potential!🤙😇🙏

Closing out 2020 praying as hard as I've ever prayed that our Country continues on the path we've been going towards bringing God BACK into the public sphere where He was at our founding vs shoving Him out/turning our backs on Him as was the trend up until recently. Keep up your great work reaching out to the youth, guiding them towards becoming productive citizens realizing their full God-given potential!🤙😇🙏
John Nuunau
Dec 4 2020 9:56 PM

Proverbs 3:5-6 ( TPT)

Proverbs 3:5-6 ( TPT)
cherry satterfield Los Angeles
Dec 4 2020 9:57 PM

I would like to have a closer relationship with God this 2020. Its been a good year. Why do I say that? Because I survived 2020. Something in life I've learned was that its full of lessons missed opportunities. But overall I can't complain 😌. I know God gave me this life for reason. There is only one of me. God has protected me from covid being homeless. He gave me a job when everyone else is looking for one. An apartment that is mine. Food to eat a shower both my parents are edd alive along with my sisters 💕. My son turned five. My hope i know this sound cliche but to loose weight yup. But is something I've been working on eating healthy drinking water . I also would like to stop being so afraid to further my education 🙃. I can do it with Jesus on my side.

I would like to have a closer relationship with God this 2020. Its been a good year. Why do I say that? Because I survived 2020. Something in life I've learned was that its full of lessons missed opportunities. But overall I can't complain 😌. I know God gave me this life for reason. There is only one of me. God has protected me from covid being homeless. He gave me a job when everyone else is looking for one. An apartment that is mine. Food to eat a shower both my parents are edd alive along with my sisters 💕. My son turned five. My hope i know this sound cliche but to loose weight yup. But is something I've been working on eating healthy drinking water . I also would like to stop being so afraid to further my education 🙃. I can do it with Jesus on my side.
Marilena Romania
Dec 5 2020 2:07 AM

Very nice pictures Jason !! I'm sure that you are a great dancer. I don't know how to dance. These past two weeks I've been dealing with pain and sorrow. I've lost a good friend because of cancer. Life is short. Life it to the fullest and never regret anything. And as always, your article is amazing. I'm sending you much love. ♥️

Very nice pictures Jason !! I'm sure that you are a great dancer. I don't know how to dance.
These past two weeks I've been dealing with pain and sorrow. I've lost a good friend because of cancer. Life is short. Life it to the fullest and never regret anything.
And as always, your article is amazing. I'm sending you much love. ♥️
Chong Chow Boston
Dec 5 2020 2:52 AM

Best of luck on your dance lessons, Jason! But I have a feeling you are already very advanced. I plan to just close out 2020 by staying home and taking care of kids. Hopefully Covid will be over by 2021 and I can start going out again and help out on community events.

Best of luck on your dance lessons, Jason! But I have a feeling you are already very advanced.

I plan to just close out 2020 by staying home and taking care of kids. Hopefully Covid will be over by 2021 and I can start going out again and help out on community events.
Jacqueline Perú
Dec 5 2020 3:50 AM

I would like to close this year 2020 closer to God, listen to his voice more clearly and be able to discern my life purpose, perhaps also a different course of my life, leaving my comfort zone. Well I hope your plans come to fruition with God's help.

I would like to close this year 2020 closer to God, listen to his voice more clearly and be able to discern my life purpose, perhaps also a different course of my life, leaving my comfort zone. Well I hope your plans come to fruition with God's help.
maka Japan
Dec 5 2020 4:10 AM

Mahalo for sharing your story🤙🏽 You always rock Jason😉👍🏽 I would like to close out 2020 by staying home and praying for the world🙏🏽Stay safe always🤙🏽

Mahalo for sharing your story🤙🏽 You always rock Jason😉👍🏽 I would like to close out 2020 by staying home and praying for the world🙏🏽Stay safe always🤙🏽
Jeannie Choi LONGVIEW Washington
Dec 5 2020 9:00 AM

Hi Jason, great pictures of dance moves!!! Fluidity is evident. Hey, I'd like to close out this year and onto 2021 being grateful for my family, relatives and friends. To continually pray for them and then to pray for the era, because it's so important to keep in mind the times. Not only to chin up and remember how attacks can and will come but Jesus prevails and He has overcome. Stay happy is what I want to do. God bless.

Hi Jason, great pictures of dance moves!!! Fluidity is evident. Hey, I'd like to close out this year and onto 2021 being grateful for my family, relatives and friends. To continually pray for them and then to pray for the era, because it's so important to keep in mind the times. Not only to chin up and remember how attacks can and will come but Jesus prevails and He has overcome. Stay happy is what I want to do. God bless.
Jen Thym Hong Kong
Dec 5 2020 4:17 PM

Love the dance pics! I'd like to close out 2020 with a new feature film draft for contests with due dates in early January. And get working on stage 2 of the A List!

Love the dance pics! I'd like to close out 2020 with a new feature film draft for contests with due dates in early January. And get working on stage 2 of the A List!
Laura Hauula
Dec 5 2020 11:51 PM

Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year!!!🎊🎈🎆 I’m usually partying every NYE but I’m not sure about this NYE! I don’t know what I’ll do or feel like doing or not doing and I actually do not even care! 😂 just floating with the flow 💫👌 Btw great pics and dance moves! 👏 keep it up! 👍

Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year!!!🎊🎈🎆 I’m usually partying every NYE but I’m not sure about this NYE! I don’t know what I’ll do or feel like doing or not doing and I actually do not even care! 😂 just floating with the flow 💫👌 Btw great pics and dance moves! 👏 keep it up! 👍
Gale Oahu
Dec 6 2020 2:09 AM

Love the pictures! ❤️ With less than four weeks left in 2020, I want to close this year by remaining strong in my faith, to continue to reach people for Jesus, to share God’s love and hope to others and to be His light. I’m also praying for a brighter 2021filled with abundance and a great harvest.

Love the pictures! ❤️
With less than four weeks left in 2020, I want to close this year by remaining strong in my faith, to continue to reach people for Jesus, to share God’s love and hope to others and to be His light. I’m also praying for a brighter 2021filled with abundance and a great harvest.
Barbara Houston
Dec 7 2020 11:00 AM

Ni Hao Jason! It’s been many of years of watching you perform and progress professionally, as well as spiritually. So proud of you firstly! I’ve transitioned from corporate world to the education side of things. I teach at a middle school now but strictly in special education. J have to get certified in many aspects in education in this field, and have many content areas to get certified in before year end. Please say a prayer for me that I may accomplish this goal. Always praying for you my friend. Stay cool and keep enjoying life. Blessings to you always! Barbs!❤️🙏

Ni Hao Jason!
It’s been many of years of watching you perform and progress professionally, as well as spiritually. So proud of you firstly! I’ve transitioned from corporate world to the education side of things. I teach at a middle school now but strictly in special education. J have to get certified in many aspects in education in this field, and have many content areas to get certified in before year end. Please say a prayer for me that I may accomplish this goal. Always praying for you my friend. Stay cool and keep enjoying life. Blessings to you always!
Barbs!❤️🙏