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Taupo Manaia and MENA of Samoa summer show

Tonight at 7 p.m. at the Tradewinds Hotel, local dance production group Le Taupou Manaia, in collaboration with MENA of Samoa’s House of Fashion, will be hosting a spectacular summer show that will feature beautiful fashion creations and live entertainment.

 

Le Taupou Manaia owner and choreographer Tuifaasisina Korina Seiuli Lee told Samoa News yesterday that the ‘Dinner and Show’ extravaganza is more like a ‘farewell’ summer show for seven of the group members, five of whom have recently graduated high school and will depart for college off island, and two who are relocating to the United States.

 

“These girls have been part of Le Taupou Manaia family for over ten years and this is like a tribute to them, the last time they will be performing with us,” Tuifaasisina explained.

 

She added that MENA of Samoa’s House of Fashion is collaborating with them for tonight’s event, as company owner Jackie Loheni and her daughter Ella Loheni-Stancil are active members of Le Taupou Manaia dance productions’ sister group from the independent state.

 

“Jackie and Ella are the only two members from our Samoa sister group who will be joining us, so we’re excited about that,” Tuifaasisina said.

 

Tickets for the event are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Tradewinds Hotel in Ottoville or Salon Sophia in Nuuuli, or by contacting Christine Leiato at 258-3778.

 

HISTORY

 

Le Taupou Manaia was established 15 years ago in American Samoa, with the mission of “promoting fa’aSamoa preservation through the next generation”.

 

The main focus of the group, according to Tuifaasisina, is to teach and promote the ‘siva fa’a-taupou’ (or Samoan Princess dance) “to set them apart from the rest.”

 

Since it was formed, Le Taupou Manaia has taught over three thousand young ladies of American Samoa in the art of the ‘siva fa’a-taupou.’

 

Over the years, the group has accomplished a lot, setting the standards high for dance production groups both here and across the Pacific.

 

In 2004, Le Taupou Manaia became the first and only group from American Samoa to take first place in Apia, Samoa, during the annual Teuila Festival’s “Siva Fa’aAganu’u” or Traditional Dance Competition. Most notable is the fact that they were the youngest group to ever win such high honors during the event, which is a week-long celebration that draws hundreds of visitors and tourists from across the Pacific region, fr_om as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

 

The following year in 2005, Le Taupou Manaia represented the Samoan community in the Aloha State during Hawaii’s 100-year Centennial celebration.

 

Remarkably, the Mayor of Hawaii even declared July 8 as “Le Taupou Manaia Day” in the state.

 

The group has toured and performed at different venues in the US mainland, New Zealand, and Samoa.

 

The Le Taupou Manaia movement has expanded far beyond the shores of the territory, with sister groups in Orange County, California and Apia, Samoa.

 

Locally, the group has performed for various events, hosted not only by the American Samoa Government, but also by the business community, as well as private functions.

 

The group has a membership of over 40 lovely young ladies but because the majority of them are off island for summer break, only 19 of the girls will be performing tonight.

 

Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy an unforgettable dinner and show, all of which kicks off promptly at 7 p.m.