Get Ready for the 32nd Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete

California's first Heiva of 2011 will hit Merced March 25-27. The event, produced by Rebecca Manandic and staff, is the longest running Heiva outside of Tahiti. Now in it's 32nd year, the event features solo, couple and group competition. The Merced County Fairgrounds once again serve as the centralized venue.

One of the key elements to the success of this event is the division of beginning and advanced dancers. "This enables advanced/professional performers to compete at a higher level and truly challenge their capabilities," states the history documents of the event. "At the same time this also allows the beginner/intermediate dancers to gain experience and be awarded for their progress." It remains the only event that has a beginner category.

Tickets are $15 each, Children (5-12) $11. Adult 3 Day Pass is $39 (Children $29).  For more information, call Pacifica (209) 726-1925 (10am-6pm, M-F) or visit the event website at www.kikiraina.com

In addition to being a venue to showcase the visual art of Tahitian dance, music and costume, the printed program for the event highlights artwork and written compositions of Polynesian design. Be sure to pick up your copy. Feel free to submit your work. We'll be watching.

If you'd like to read more about the event, here is a history written by Eric "Ka'ahele" Morales, of how it all started.

Rebecca Manandic named as Merced Christmas Parade Grand Marshall

Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete producer Rebecca Manandic will be the Grand Marshall in this years Merced Christmas Parade.

More at the Merced Sun-Star

Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete schedule

Now celebrating it's 30th Anniversary, the 2009 Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete is set to begin tomorrow. The three day event runs from March 27-29, 2009. Activities are located at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Tickets are:

Adult: $15 Advance / $17 at door - Adult = age 13 and up
Child: $10 Advance / $12 At Door - Child = age 5-12

The event not only features Tahitian dance and pageantry, but is also featuring memories of the past years' events. A 30th anniversary commemorative program will be available for purchase. The Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete is the longest existing, annually held, Tahitian Dance and Cultural Festival outside of French Polynesia. The event is produced by Becky Manandic. Island Style food and Polynesian craft booths will be open throughout the event as well.

Here is the schedule for the 2009 Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete. (Schedule is subject to change):

Friday, March 27th
8:00am Registration
9:00am Opening Ceremonies
Solo Eliminations with House Drummers (4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15)
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Competition continues (16-18, 19-24, 25-34, Masters)
6:00pm Miss and Mr. Maeva Merced Pageant, Masters Solo Finals and
Ahuroa Group Presentations
8:00pm Awards

Saturday, March 28th
8:00am Registration - Solo Finalists, Group Drummers
9:00am Solo Finals Begin (4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15)
12:00pm Lunch - Tamari'i exhibition
1:00pm Tamari'i Groups
1:30pm Drumming Group Competition followed by Solo Finals
(16-18, 19-24, 25-34)
6:00pm Awards

Sunday, March 29th
8:00am Registration - 1st Place Advanced Soloists, Couples in Costume, Tamari'i Groups, Amateur and Professional Groups
10:00am Opening Prayer, Jr. and Sr. Overall Vahine and Tane Soloist Competition
11:00am Couples in Costume Tamure
12:00pm Lunch - Line Dance and Salsa Demo
1:00pm Novice Groups
2:00pm Amateur Groups
3:30pm Professional Groups
5:00pm Awards

Updates and results will be available as soon as we receive them.

Pictures for the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete

Letter from Becky Manandic, producer of the Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete

Ia Ora Na,

As you know, our 30th Anniversary Fete is upon us. For a change of pace, this year we would like all of the pictures in our annual event publication to feature dancers and fetes from the past 29 years that we've been running. So we are asking everyone to go through their photo albums and e-mail us their favorite photos of themselves and friends for possible inclusion in the program.

E-mail all pictures to Ka'ahele at kikirainaprogram@gmail.com. We encourage people to start sending in photos now, as Ka'ahele is juggling his work with the program and graduate school so available time is a factor. If by any chance you cannot send your photo as an e-mail attachment and wish to use traditional mail, feel free to contact Ka'ahele at (408) 627-9590 for further arrangements.

If you are a Halau director, please forward this e-mail to your group.

Please include the year of the fete and names of the people in the photo, as both of these details will be included in the program.

Maururu Roa, Aunty Becky
Merced Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete