Dancers Sol (R) and Aukai (L) from the Halau I Ka Wekiu
Exciting news…we have confirmed one of our Aboriginal guest artists. The HÄLAU I KA WËKIU will be giving a workshop on the hula on Sunday August 23th 2009. Perhaps you didn’t know that the hula is an Aboriginal dance. This workshop will dispel any notions you hold about the hula being something that women with coconut tops do when the plane lands in Hawaii.
Some versions of the origins of the hula, according to Wikipedia:
There are various legends surrounding the origins of hula.
According to one Hawaiian legend Laka, goddess of the hula, gave birth to the dance on the island of Molokaʻi, at a sacred place in Kaʻana. After Laka died, her remains were hidden beneath the hill Puʻu Nana.
We’re on Facebook so feel free to join our group. We’re happy to have you.
NMAI
We are very excited to announce that Kaha:wi Dance Theatre is one of the eight recipients of the competitive Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian 2009 Visual and Expressive Arts program. The museum’s award program “offers support to a wide range of arts activities with the goal of increasing knowledge, understanding and appreciation of contemporary Native American arts”.
We will be using this award to fund the creation and premiere of our new work, TransMigration. Press release follows.
National Museum of the American Indian Announces Eight Recipients of the Visual and Expressive Arts Program
WASHINGTON, DC.- The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian announces the eight recipients of the 2009 Visual and Expressive Arts program. The museum’s award program offers support to a wide range of arts activities with the goal of increasing knowledge, understanding and appreciation of contemporary Native American arts.
There are some rumours on the internet to which I have been google-alerted to. It appears that one of our long time dancers, Alex Meraz, may or may not be appearing in the new Twilight movie, called New Moon. I am not able to confirm that this is true, but if it is so it would be very exciting and the girls are already freaking out, as one can see by the comments. So to put the rumours about him to rest, yes he is really married; yes he is really Native; and yes, he really does dance for KDT and he is a very talented dancer.
Update: (March 30, 2009) The rumours are true! Way to go Alex.
If you’re a teacher interested in exposing your students to the performing arts, think about attending this forum. We’re performing A Story Before Time.
About the Forum
Think Creatively!
The fourth Arts Education Forum will assemble and demonstrate how regional educators, professional artists and community presenters can work together to increase children’s opportunities to learn from and experience performing arts in both schools and performing arts venues.
Participate Actively!
Through performance, participatory workshops, interactive panel discussions and in-depth group meetings, delegates will build partnerships and create new and exciting networks to develop and ensure more performing arts opportunities for children and youth in your region.
Experience Passionately!
Start the day with a Performance of A Story Before Time by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. This captivating Aboriginal dance company was founded by Santee Smith and creates, produces and presents original dance works that draw inspiration from contemporary and Aboriginal dance. This exciting performance will be shared with a student audience and is the springboard for discussion throughout the day.
Wow…first of all, welcome to our new blog, your source for the most up to date information on Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s activities, history, new projects, and the health and well-being of our dancers and/or any other information relevant to the company.
I, Julia, General Manager of KDT and Santee Smith, KDT’s founder and Artistic Director will be working hard to keep you in the loop. We’re new to this whole blogging thing though, so please be patient with us.
Check out Choreographic Dialogues – Free.
Choreographic Dialogues series of presentations and conversations features Santee Smith, Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, today at 12:10 p.m. (free). York’s McLean Performance Studio, Accolade East, 4700 Keele St. Info: 416-736-5137.