SIVA AFI FESTIVAL
We are thrilled to announce that in March 2020 Polynesian Entertainers in conjunction with TahiMana will be holding a fire knife competition for school age performers during the week of Pasifika Festival, in the courtyard of Mangere Arts Centre on Saturday 14 March from 7pm.
This FREE event aims to grow awareness of the Siva Afi art form in the Mangere/Otāhuhu area by providing an opportunity for youth to learn the traditional Samoa siva called “ailao” with “afi” or fire. The competition is a safe and creative environment that provides a stage for youth to develop and upscale what they have learnt as well as meet other performers of the art.
Strengthening the development of the art form are members of the TahiMana Polynesian Fire Warriors collective. TahiMana performers are from around Auckland (and now Gisborne) and its members include:
Popea Lautala – 1st (x3) Teuila Champion (Samoa)/World Fire Knife Championship finalist (Hawaii)
Tim Noyce – 1st NZ Champion/ 3rd Vaimatina Cook Island Competition (Rarotonga)/ 3rd Duo Routine at World Siva Afi Competition (Samoa)
Amo Ieriko – 2nd NZ Competition/ 2nd Vaimatina Cook Island Competition (Rarotonga)/ 3rd Duo Routine at World Siva Afi Competition (Samoa)
Mani Lavatai – 3rd NZ Competition
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SIVA AFI WORKSHOPS - FREE.
Free to youth 10years to 18years. Learn from experince Siva Afi dancers.
Must register your attendance by contacting (text) Amo 021 02300599
*practice sticks provided
*refreshments provided
Last three workshops to be held on 13 Feb, 27th Feb & 5 March.
Held outside the Mangere Town Centre Library courtyard area.
Join the Facebook event page: Siva Afi Workshops
GET IN TOUCH if you’d like to learn more about the March 2020 event and get involved, or to join a workshop - contact Amo Ieriko on 021 023 00599 or email contact@polynesianentertainers.com
This event is proudly supported by Mangere Arts Centre, Mangere Otahuhu Local Board, Mangere Otahuhu Arts, Mangere Town Centre, Tahi Mana.
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ABOUT - Polynesian Entertainers Ltd & TahiMana Polynesian Fire Warriors
Over the years we have held many Siva Afi workshops for the youth throughout Auckland, Papatuanuku Marae (Mangere), Westlake Boys High School (Northshore), HawaikiNui (Onehunga) as well as outside of Auckland such as Kuranui College Pasifika Week 2014 & 2015 (Greytown). Most recently at Gisborne Boys High School we attended the first inter-schools Siva Afi competition in September 2019, Produced by TahiMana member Tim Noyce.
In the September competition we had a student from Avondale College and Kowhai Intermediate travel to Gisborne to compete – the competition was won by Micah Papali’i (of Tongan and Samoan decent) from Avondale College. There are a number of other organisations holding Siva Afi workshops in Auckland; Pacific Dance New Zealand saw the value in the Pacific Community for the art form to be taught and hosted weekly workshops. Most recently, Mangere Town Centre has teamed with TahiMana to provide five free Siva Afi workshops to the community from January – March 2020. NU’ULUA Performing Arts Academy will also be holding their first Siva Afi workshops in Feburary 2020.
The success of the Gisborne High School competition demonstrated there is a real interest from not only the youth, but from their families for this type of platform. Participants get the chance to network while cultivating their talent as well as develop themselves socially.
