Las Vegas Nevada Tahitian Dance Troop Ninth Island Productions journey to Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in the Fano Maohi Ori Tahiti 2007 Dance Competition. Tahitian Troop representation included Polynesian groups from Tahiti, Nevada, Utah, and California.
Las Vegas Tahitian Troop
Fano Maohi Ori Tahiti 2007
by Leonard Lords
Fano Maohi 2007 is over and many groups that came were very competitive some of the groups who won are Hitia O Tera, Malialole, Da Island Way, Tehamata, and Tamariki Ariki. However one group out did themselves and since I'm friends with them I was very proud!!
A group from Las Vegas known as Ninth Island Productions stole the show. I seen them practicing and thought they were fun but I was thinking they might be in trouble because the competition will be strong! However when they came in to perform they were simply outstanding! Even the professional groups as well as the group from Tahiti were speechless.
The crowd cheered and you could see tears in the eyes of audience. Needless to say they took first place in the Amateur Aparima. Then, after the Aparima they performed the Ute (song being sung with a small band) which had the audience singing along and tapping their feet. The entire traveling group from Tahiti were singing along and clapping to the beat. As the song ended the crowd again exploded in cheer, many giving Ninth Island Productions a standing ovation. The audience enjoyed it so much they were requesting information on where to find a CD of the song. Ninth Island were also crowned champions after the Salt Lake City Polynesian event.
Back at the hotel members of Ninth Island quickly became friends with the group from Tahiti. It was a magical moment as personalities took over to bridge the communication gap (English & French). Although troop members did not speak the same language they hung out together, joking, laughing, enjoying each others company and having a great time.
They discovered the people of Tahiti are as beautiful as the Islands and music. At the Fano Maohi pizza party both the Las Vegas and Tahiti groups sang together, took group photos and learned each others songs. They even exchanged Myspace profiles and addresses. It was a great time for all. I am sure when the troop from Tahiti goes home to the Islands of Tahiti they will be talking about their fun new friends from Ninth Island Productions.
Ninth Island Productions was started to further enhance the knowledge of the Tahitian culture. Te Motu Ei'va (Ninth Island) is continuously growing and currently has over 50 members. Ninth Island's focus is to establish a sense of family, unity and well being. The dance troop also serves less fortunate with ongoing community services.
For more information on Ninth Island Production please visit www.myspace.com/9thisland, send email to
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and/or contact Jesse Coronado at 702-524-8318.
Comments
(5)
About The Competition written by Leonard Lords , July 25, 2007
Besides groups from Tahiti, Nevada, Utah, and California as you mentioned we also had dancers from Arizona, Colorado and Hawaii. The group Malialole is from Laie, Hawaii. Fano Maohi is the first North American competition allowing dancers from Tahiti to compete. So when Ninth Island won they earned it nobody gave them anything they just did what it took and as a group stepped up to the plate when it counted.
Way to represent! written by Pu'ukani , July 25, 2007
Congratulations to the entire ohana of Ninth Island Productions. You guys make Las Vegas so proud. I wish I was there to witness the victory! Stay Humble, Stay Hungry, Stay Tuned!
-Pu'ukani Pipeline 2 Paradise Radio The Little Grass Shack Radio
Just a correction written by 801 islander , July 31, 2007
Just to correct the first comment, Malialole is actually from Salt Lake City, Utah not Laie, Hawaii. However Tehamata has a group from Laie as well as one from Salt Lake city.
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