Saturday, May 22, 2010

Heiva USA

A brand new event is scheduled to hit San Diego this August. Heiva USA, produced by Friends of Tahiti - Te Mau Hoa No Tahiti, will take place August 13-14, 2010 on Shelter Island in San Diego, California. The event will feature a pageant, a gala dinner to be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Friday and a Tahitian dance solo competition on Saturday.

The 2010 Miss Heiva USA pageant contestants will compete for the title and 2 round trip tickets to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui among other prizes. To be eligible, contestants need to be 18-25 years old. Contact Lindsay Reva McNichol for more information at liny.vandalsink@gmail.com

The Tahiti Gala Dinner will be held at the Bali Hai Restaurant. It will be a traditional Polynesian/Tahitian buffet under the stars. Cost is $50 per person and includes a floor show by Le Polynesia and Heali'i's Polynesian Review.

Soloists will compete in age divisions from 4 years and up at the Pacific Beach Middle School in San Diego. An exhibition round will also take place for 2-3 year olds. Application fees run from $20-30 depending on age division and are available online to download.

Friends of Tahiti is a cultural and charitable non-profit association dedicated to promote friendship, understanding and cultural awareness between the people of French Polynesia and the United States through education and the cultural arts.

Visit the Heiva USA event website for more information.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Tarena Tahiti & Te Aranui O Tahiti

Skyline College of San Bruno, California is the new home for Tarena Tahiti and Te Aranui O Tahiti. Tarena Tahiti (Tahitian calendar) is a solo, drumming and costume competition produced by Elizabeth Bertumen and the award-winning group Nemenzo. Following Tarena Tahiti is Te Aranui O Tahiti, a group exhibition event featuring performances uninhibited by the pressures of the modern day competitions.

Both events will be taking place on Memorial Day weekend, May 29-30, 2010 at the Skyline College Main Theater. Tickets are available for $15 (Tarena Tahiti), and $10 per hourly show (Te Arenui O Tahiti).

The judges for Tarena Tahiti this year are:

Aaron Sencil - Director of the group Hui Tama Nui from Vallejo California in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hui Tama Nui has won numerous awards including Overall Group at Heiva I Reno and San Jose Tahiti Fete. Aaron has received merits for his beautiful costumes and unique and creative presentations. Currently he is also owner and artist selling Polynesian influenced clothing line and accessories, doing business as "Boutiki" and "Dodo Art".

Tiana Liufau - Director of Nonosina Polynesia of Anaheim, California. Nonosina is a world renowned award winning group known for their outstanding presentation in Tahitian Dance and Music Competitions. Predominantly winning 1st and Overall in their competition entries, Nonosina continues to set the trend with their unique and creative style. Their global influence expands from the US to Mexico, Japan and more. They continue to compete and conduct workshops in the US and abroad.

Remy Tekurio - Choreographer and Costumer for Tekurio Nui of Southern California hails from Utah and comes from a family with a long history of Polynesian Dance and Entertainment. He co-hosted Heiva I Orlando along side Roiti Sylva for 3 years. He has danced for PCC for 5 yrs and has judged for Tahitian Competitions in California, Utah and Florida. His next endeavor will be opening his own dance group in Utah.

Te Aranui O Tahiti will feature six groups, Manuia Polynesia (San Francisco), Merahi O Tehani (Union City), Tamali'i (Hayward), Te Orama (Daly City), Tamari'i Mata'irea (Stockton), and Nemenzo (Daly City).

For more information, email tarena_tahiti@yahoo.com, tearanuiotahiti@yahoo.com or call (415) 425-1662.