Thursday, October 20, 2011

Introducing our new Tahitian Dance database site - iPolynesia.com

After having to move to a new system, we've finally got our dance group directory back online. It's been a few months, but we hope you'll find it was worth the wait. Let's be clear on one thing straight off. This is our Tahitian dance directory. It's not a Hawaiian hula directory (although we do list many groups that do dance hula and other Polynesian dances but we require that they teach or perform Tahitian dance to be included on this directory), nor is it in any way endorsing or meaning to provide any false, out-of-date, or inaccurate information about any group.

This is a tool for dance groups, those that are searching for a dance group, and organizations or events that are helping to educate and promote the dance of Tahiti.

Now that that is out of the way, let's get to the benefits. Our new database is in constant motion. Currently it lists the dance groups that we are aware of. We put them in the directory, but one of the great things about this new directory is that dance group leaders are now able to personally edit their own dance group page. Leaders can now update group information (phone, address, contact info, etc), add photos, add videos (via YouTube or Vimeo) that help promote the group, include information (rates, synopsis of services, or latest news), add social media links to group pages (Facebook, Twitter, Google+), and awards (coming soon). In addition, it's another avenue to get potential bookings. It's an opportunity to showcase your dance group on a website that has more traffic and searches than your typical dance group website. And it's FREE!

Another area of the site is the events and calendar. This is where you'll be able to see upcoming Heiva & Tahiti Fete. Events will include award results of soloists and groups as provided by individual events and will be searchable.

As this is a fresh start to our directory, there will be updates in design, information and services. We're excited to open this up for the Tahitian dance community. We'll be sending out invitations to dance group leaders soon via email to create an account, but if you can't wait and are wanting to get started, you can go ahead and apply for an account.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Heiva calendar updates for 2012

It's been a few months since we've posted any updates on the blog but we were a little busy trying to get our new Tahitian dance database up and running. It's almost there for Phase I and it has updated group information as much as we have been able to gather. We are specifically looking for dance groups that dance Tahitian. In the future we may expand, but for now, we are staying focused on Tahiti.

Along with the dance group directory, we have the Tahitian Heiva events calendar. As with everything on the new site, things are in a work in progress. We are working to make it more accessible for dance group leaders and event producers. In addition, we are working on a new awards area. It will be searchable and clickable to allow for multiple ways of accessing the information.

So if you are looking for a calendar of events for next year, look no further, we are continually working with event producers and have the most up-to-date information available. Check back often for updates or sign up for updates via Twitter, Facebook or RSS feed.

Events that have updated 2012 dates include Heiva i Honolulu, Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete , Hura Tahiti, Tahiti Fete of San Jose, Heiva i Kauai, Tahiti Taurua Nui i Las Vegas and Ori Tahiti Las Vegas, to name a few.

More to come on our new website for Tahitian dance.

Oh, by the way... it's

www.ipolynesia.com

Check it out and look for more information about its official debut coming soon.