SIVA AFI FESTIVAL - Wahine Toa Afi and NZ Schools Siva Afi Competitions
We are thrilled that in March 2021 Polynesian Entertainers in conjunction with TahiMana will be holding their second SIVA AFI FESTIVAL competition. We hope you all remember the success of the 2020 event! We’re also proud to have the 2021 event included in the Auckland Arts Festival programme.
Friday 12th March 2021 – Wahine Toa Afi Competition
Saturday 13th March 2021 – NZ Schools Siva Afi Competition
7pm – 10pm (doors open 6pm) both days.
Venue: Mangere Arts Centre. Entry: Gold Coin.
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
There will also be Pacific Food and Craft Stalls
Cultural performances from Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii and many more… plus guest Siva Afi performances
GET IN TOUCH if you’d like to learn more about the March 2021 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.
SEE THE POSTERS BELOW FOR WORKSHOP DATES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
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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.
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Learn about our 2021 Siva Afi Mentorship, an new initiative to support the festival and support the creative industry here
