Hura Tahiti results

The 2010 Hura Tahiti just completed activities at the Hope International University campus this past weekend and the dance group Ote'a Api was crowned Overall Group. This is the 6th annual event produced by Alex Tekurio, ra'atira of the award-winning group Hitia O Te Ra.

California groups from Alisa Viejo (Le Polynesia), Castiac (Kalakele), Concord (Da Island Way), Costa Mesa (Tupua), Fremont (Ote'a Api), Huntington Beach (Lokelani's Rhythm of the Islands, Te Varua Ori), San Diego (Heali'is Polynesian Revue, Lei Isa), and Walnut Creek (Te Mana O Te Ra), competed this year.

Soloists competed in age categories and split into vahine and tane. In addition to the competition, workshops were also conducted for dance taught by Faimano Tupea of Heikura Nui and drumming taught by Heimanu Tehahe also of Heikura Nui.

Full results of the competition may be found at the Hura Tahiti event website or by visiting our Tahitian Dance database which includes results from many of the past Tahitian dance events that have occurred throughout the country.

Farereiraa 2009

Farereiraa 2009 took place this past weekend. Soloists performed with their respective dance groups and competed for top solo honors. The event was organized by Coco Hotahota and was held after the 127th annual Heiva i Tahiti events concluded. The US and Japanese dance groups performed and participated in cultural workshops and exchanges during their stay in Tahiti.

Partial results of the soloist competition:

Junior Tane
Dane Dejes of Otea Api

Junior Vahine

Senior Tane
Justin (Froggie) Atangan of Nemenzo

Senior Vahine
Katrina Dejesis of Otea Api

More information and gallery at La Depeche de Tahiti

Photos of the International Faarereiraa in Papeete

Here is a small gallery of photos from the recent Faarereiraa in Papeete by Tahiti Presse. This event featured close to 600 dancers from The US and Japan. Soloists and groups competed in the event. The dance groups also are participating in other exhibitions throughout the islands. Groups involved included Here Tama Nui (Honolulu) and Manutahi (Wahiawa), Nemenzo (Daly City), Otea Api (Fremont), Hitia O Te Ra (Garden Grove) and Mahana O Te Ra (Japan).

The event took place over this past weekend, July 18-20, 2009. And was held in following the Heiva i Tahiti competition where French Polynesia groups competed. Results of the Heiva i Tahiti will be announced this evening.

More information at Tahiti Presse

International Cultural Farereiraa

Five US Tahitian dance groups and 1 from Japan will compete in the International Cultural Farereiraa (gathering) in Papeete, Tahiti. The groups competing include Nemenzo (San Francisco), Ote'a Api (Freemont), Hitia O Te Ra (Los Angeles), Here Tama Nui and Manutahi (Hawaii). Mahana O Te Ra is coming from Japan. Events will take place July 18-20 at Place To'ata.

Te Fare Tauhiti Nui and Coco Hotahota organizated the event to share the passion of Tahitian dance with foreign groups. Both soloists and groups will compete. Approximately 600 dancers are reported to be participating.

More reporting at La Depeche de Tahiti

Te Aranui O Tahiti highlights exhibitions

A letter from Elizabeth Nemenzo Bertumen,
producer of Te Aranui O Tahiti

Ote’a ‘Api of Fremont, California opened the event with a beautiful traditional program. Their theme was “Honor and Respect” for one another and the cultural traditions passed on from one generation to the other. Under the direction of their ra’atira pupu, Anthony Manaois, the audience got a treat from with his whimsical version of the “old style” use of the pahu tupai using his head, elbows, feet in varied positions from laying on his back to rolling his entire body on the drum.

Manuia Polynesia under the direction of Tommy Tualalulelei from San Francisco, followed with “Mokorea” from the Tuamotu Islands of Tahiti. Their elaborate costumes and high energy performance received accolades from the young tamari’i’s to the power driven “Haka” from the men of Manuia. This presentation earned Manuia one of the many awards they’ve received at the San Jose Tahiti Fete.

Te Orama of Daly City claimed the opening of the second show. Its director, Malu Rivera-Peoples and Anthony Manaois supervised the dancers of all ages as they paid homage to the sea turtle “Honu” with a 30 minute presentation comprised of an ote’a and an aparima. Dressed in traditional ceremonial ote’a costumes and vibrant floral prints, dancers displayed their love for the dance and music of Tahiti.

Elizabeth Bertumen, Nemenzo’s director announced the last group of the day. The finale was Nemenzo of San Francisco’s mixed presentation of traditional and contemporary dance and music. Young dancers, some as young as 4 yrs, captured the audience’s attention. Drums pulsating new modern beats complimented the group’s ote’a amui. The aparima softened the mood emulating from the soothing sounds of Nemenzo’s musicians.

The exhibitions were breathtaking as the audience cheered on group after group. Overall, it was a festive weekend and everyone reunited with old friends and acquired new ones. For updates and information visit www.myspace.com/tearanuiotahiti.

Te Aranui O Tahiti 2008

Have you ever wondered what exactly the judges are looking for when they watch soloists and groups? Te Aranui O Tahiti 2008 took that very question and conducted a series of workshops for soloists and groups. Dancers from Merahi O Tehani, Tamali'i, Ka Ua Tuahine, Na Hoku of Canada and Nemenzo participated in the workshops. Guests Coco Hotahota and Roiti Sylva conducted the class, breaking down basic steps necessary in a solo dance competition routine. Correct execution, spelling and terminology of each of the steps was emphasized. As the drummers were creating the atmosphere, each student presented a freestyle solo. An evaluation score sheet covering all the workshop dance steps and critiques was given to each student. An open discussion session with the guests concluded the class workshop.

It's rare that dancers are given the opportunity to work one-on-one on the details with the very judges that they perform in front of at other competitions throughout the year.

Always a crowd pleaser, the event also featured group presentations. Te Orama, 'Ote'a 'Api, Tiare O Te Ao and Nemenzo impressed with 'Ote'a and Aparima. Coco commented regarded the weekend activities as "tres beau". Te Aranui O Te Ao (TAOT) 2009 will take place April 25 and 26, 2009 at the San Francisco State University Gym. Mark your calendars and check our site for updates. For more information, visit the official site.

Otea 'Api Tahitian dance workshops

If you live in the Fremont, California area, you're in luck. There is an upcoming series of Tahitian dance and drumming workshops being put on by the group Otea 'Api. First up is a basic women's Tahitian dance workshop this Sunday, August 26, 2007 from 10 am to noon. Registration is closed online but you might want to give them a call (510) 657-HULA or email them to see if they can fit you in. Workshop fee is $50.

An advanced co-ed Tahitian dance workshop (at least 6 months minimum experience/knowledge of Tahitian dance recommended) and basic Tahitian drumming workshop are also being offered as well. Classes are open to 13 years and up. For more information and registering, visit their website.