Te Ao Mana / Tatou Festival September 30- October 5
By Anthony Aiu, Kaina Quenga
ABOUT
Te Ao Mana creates opportunities for Pacific Islanders to connect to their artistic heritages, explore their creative processes, and present contemporary performances to Pacific Islander and Non Pacific Islander audiences. These opportunities share holistic depictions of contemporary Pacific Islanders that disrupt dominant cultural narratives about Pacific Islander people.
Schedule At LAMAMA
Schedule at LA MAMA Downstairs Theater: 66 East 4th Street New York, NY 10003
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
LA MAMA Downstairs Theater: 66 East 4th Street New York, NY 10003
2:00 PM – OPENING CEREMONY
Starting the event off with the right vibrations. Ceremonial offerings from various Moana Nui (Pacific Island) nations with local native cousins. (Includes: Shane Weeks, Tecumseh Caesar, Kauila Kanaka’ole, Lanihuli Kanahele, Hāwane Rios, Aruho’ia Biret, and Hera Smith)
*Traditional Attire/Native Dress encouraged
3:00 PM – CROSS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Discussion with Tahitian/Marquesan master carver, Eriki Marchand and Tecumseh Caesar (Matinecock, Unkechaug, Montaukett), Shane Weeks (Shinecock)
4:00 PM – ART & POETRY WORKSHOP (CHILDREN)
Discover fundamentals of Polynesian art and design with Samoan writer/poet, painter Dan Taulapapa McMullin. Participants are invited to showcase their work at the festival.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 03
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: ORI TAHITI (Tahitian Dance) MASTER CLASSES
Learn from skilled practitioners, teachers, and leaders in Ori Tahiti. Bring your pareu (sarong), water, and a towel. Knowledge of Ori Tahiti is essential for optimal learning.
10:30 AM Ori Tahiti Technique (Kehaulani Changuy)
11:45 AM Ote’a Choreography (Aruho’ia Biret)
1:30 PM Aparima Choreography (Poerani Germain)
3:15 PM Duet Ote’a Choreography (Francky Tehiva)
7:00 PM – TRANS PACIFIC GLAM
Come throw your back out laughing. You will be gagged-t, read-t, learn-t, and enjoy dedicated time for queernesia. Let our talented queens and queers transport you. Llet loose and be mesmerized as they showcase their amazing innate abilities. Special appearances by TJ Keanu Tario, Makoa Kalai, Odessa Mann, Kauila Kanaka’ole, and others.
*Give yourself extra time to explore the hallways, filled with evocative art by visionary creatives from our Pacific Islander community. Featuring Kapulei Flores, Mahinahina Choy-Ellis, Reuben Paterson, Carolyn Kuali’i, Gisela McDaniel.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 05 – MOANA NUI WORKSHOPS
10:30 AM Ori Tahiti Tamari’i (Children’s Tahitian Dance) Class
11:45 AM Hula with Hāwane Rios
1:00 PM Siva Samoa with Alona Afalava
2:30 PM Tahitian Drumming with Tila Case
4:00 PM Ukulele and ‘Olelo Hawai’i with Kahanuola Solatorio
6:30 PM – CLOSING PA’INA
A final community gathering to close our special time together. Enjoy drinks, interactive activities, special performances, door prizes, silent auctions, good music and dancing.
CREDITS
Creators: Anthony Aiu, Kaina Quenga
