Pacific Dance New Zealand (PDNZ) is bringing a slice of Hawai’i to this year’s Pacific Dance Fono in the form of its keynote speaker and master dance tutor Kumu hula Blaine Kamalani Kia.

2013 will be the seventh Fono and will take place at the University of Auckland’s magnificent Fale Pasifika within the Pacific Studies department. The inclusion of keynote speaker kumu hula Blaine Kamalani Kia from Hawai’i will add a regional dimension and perspective to the fono.

“The Pacific Dance Fono is the annual event for Pacific dance practitioners, choreographers, academics, managers and directors to gather, network and discuss issues affecting the maintenance and evolution of Pacific dance here in New Zealand and the Pacific region.” says Pacific Dance New Zealand director Iosefa Enari.

Kumu Blaine is the founder and president of the Ka Laua’e Foundation, a network of 15 halau (hula schools) across the Pacific, America, Japan and most recently in New Zealand. Besides offering a wonderful knowledge of ancient Hawaiian hula, Kumu Blaine also offers experience in running a large dance organization and an idea, a theme, a knowing – as is outlined in his theme, “Ke Ao Lewa – The Realm of Consciousness”.

He explains, “Ke Ao Lewa speaks volumes about how we are to be conscientious with who we are as a people striving, coping, and succeeding in the twenty-first century of a technological world…Ke Ao Lewa requires us to open your eyes beyond the earth's surface and gravitation of worldly influences and to look, seek beyond the human comprehension.”

The Pacific Dance Fono this year will offer a practical dance element to its usual discussion based format. The afternoon session of the one-day event will be based around a Hawaiian dance workshop with Kumu Blaine.

Enari continues, “Pacific Dance New Zealand is honoured to have Kumu Blaine Kia as this year’s keynote speaker and international guest. Kia follows a line of important speakers who have shaped the fono over the years to what it is today. Kumu Blaine will bring to this important event his own practical and philosophical position as to where dance is placed in the 21st century and its role in continuing to bridge the old and new worlds. These are vital notions when looking at dance as cultural milestones in our history and Pacific region.”

This year’s fono is also running during the month of March as part of an initiative run by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), which is a new alignment of Pasifika events under an umbrella celebration of things Pasifika in Auckland.

Graham Rouse, Manager Event Design and Development from ATEED says, “PDNZ were one of the entities identified through a scoping exercise as an organization that would add significant value to a programme of Pacific Island themed events.”

ATEED, which oversees the Pasifika Festival will also oversee this new extended celebration of things Pasifika in 2013.

Enari says, “March will be another great month of Pasifika events and it’s great to be part of it. We look forward to this year’s event and the talanoa (discussion) that yields for our community here in New Zealand Aotearoa.”

When:
Friday 8th March,
10am – 12:30pm (Keynote and open discussion)
12:30pm – 1:00pm (lunch)
1:00pm – 4:00pm (Practical workshop)
4:00pm – 5:00pm (networking)

Where:
Fale Pasifika, University of Auckland

Cost:
Waged - $20 pre-registered, $25 on the day
Unwaged - $10 pre-registration, $15 on the day

To Register:
Email – auckland@pacificdance.co.nz
Phone – 09 376 00 60

You can register by downloading a registration form here –

www.pacificdance.co.nz/Images/General/Registration_Form_Fono_2013.doc

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