Manutahi Tahitian Solo Dance Competition

Press release from Manutahi Tahiti

MANUTAHI is pleased to announce its 3rd Annual Tahitian Solo Dance Competition on SUNDAY, April 19, 2009 at Waimea Valley, Pikake Lounge, from 9:00am - 6pm. This long-anticipated event will feature a day full of Tahitian Dance and Live Tahitian Drumming, Tahitian arts, crafts, and jewelry, and exhibition performances by our own MANUTAHI keiki or tamarii. Our event is sponsored by Polanesia and Waimea Valley, and co-sponsored by Polynesian Treasures of Haleiwa Marketplace. This event is sparking great deals and offers from businesses throughout the North Shore. There is nominal charge of $7 per person (children 5-12 are $5 and under 5 are free) to get into the event. This cost for admission will only provide admission to the competition and through the first gate of the park. Additional charges to pass through the second gate to take part in Waimea Valley activities and featured amenities will apply.

Doors will open at 8:30 am for registration and seating. Our event will kick-off with a traditional Tahitian prayer and our Tamarii (or Keiki) Exhibition dancers, ages 2 to 4 years old. This is always a crowd pleaser, as these tiny tots know how to get the audience going. We will continue with our Tamarii Solo Division, a Ms./Mr. Heiva Pageant, break for lunch, and will continue with our Ta'ata Pa'ari or (Teenage) Solo Division and our Couples Competition. Ending the evening will be the announcement of awards.

Proceeds from this event will go towards the costs of outer island and mainland competitions. We were recently invited to compete in a Tahitian Fete set to take place in July of this year. This Fete only takes place every three years and we are honored to accept the invitation and represent our beloved Hawai'i in Tahiti. Most importantly, funds generated from calendar and art gallery sales will go directly towards our Community Partnership and Scholarship Fund, which provides monetary assistance to our students who desire to further their academic success.

We are still accepting applications to participate as a soloist, as an entry in the Pageant, or as a couple. This competition is open to all halaus and independent dancers!

In celebration of Tahitian culture, this event coincides with the introduction of UH Manoa Library's two exhibits, "Tau Rima Tahiti: Crafting Performance" and "'Ite 'Upa'upa", by curator and ethnomusicology candidate Scott Bartlett, in the Hamilton Library Bridge and Phase II Galleries from through April 28, 2009. The "Tau Rima Tahiti: Crafting Performance" exhibit showcases elaborate, costumes and locally made instruments. Craft artists from notable groups from Hawaii such as Here Tama Nui, Oriata, Marania Haoragi, Te Vai Ura Nui, Ot'ea Kia Mana, and MANUTAHI contributed to the display of costumes, as well as Heikura Nui, a group from Tahiti. Instruments, and jewelry were provided by KBS Instruments, Mafatu Krainer, Etua Tahauri, Tyrone Temanaha, Jr., and Gerard Tepehu.

The materials of Tau Rima Tahiti celebrate these craftspeople and their central role in preserving Tahitian culture. "'Ite 'Upa'upa" features the resources on Tahiti and performance practices that are held in the Pacific Collection of Hamilton Library. Developed collaboratively with Librarian Stuart Dawrs, the exhibit highlights photos and books on Tahitian dance and culture. Please feel free to visit the online exhibit at www.museum.hawaii.edu/exhibits/taurima/ or attend the exhibit at University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Hamilton Library, Mondays-Saturdays from 8am - 4:30pm or Sundays from noon-7pm. Entry into the Hamilton Library is open to the public and parking is available for $3.

For more information about this event or the UH exhibit, to participate as a soloist, or to find out how you can be a part of our ohana or support our mission, please visit our website at www.manutahi.com, or call us at 542-4480. North Shore businesses are encouraged to contact us also, so that we can promote any specials or offers to our audience throughout the day.