I teach hula, but it’s not my job – hula is my life. – Vicky Holt Takamine
Authentic Hawaiian entertainment returned to New York’s La Mama Experimental Theatre for a second consecutive year with Kumu (Master Hula Teacher) Vicky Holt Takamine and her hālau (school). Kumu Vicky is well respected throughout the Hawaiian community for her cultural expertise and advocacy work on behalf of Hawaiians, cultural traditions, and the protection and preservation of the cultural and natural resources of Hawaiʻi.
Sharing the stage with skilled dancers was a fun and invaluable experience. Musically, the program included traditional Hawaiian, hapa haole, and contemporary songs. Mahalo to the audience who joined me in a sing-a-long of Fish & Poi. Thank you also to the Gracious Ladies of New York who danced beautifully. Congrats to the dancers on selling out the 200-seat theater and for a successful show!
Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima, under the direction of Kumu Hula, Vicky Holt Takamine and Jeffrey Takamine celebrated the one year anniversary of their hālau in Nuioka (New York City). Students from Honolulu, Kauaʻi and New York performed to a sold out audience at the La Mama Dance Festival in New York City on June 21, 2011, titled Hula Moves. This was their second appearance at the La Mama Dance Festival. Also appearing with the hālau were the Gracious Ladies of New York City, musicians Claudia Goddard, Andy Wang and Chris Davis. In April 2010, kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine opened an extension of her hālau, Pua AliʻI ʻIlima in New York City. Students invited to take classes with her for the past year include: Carol Lau, Anne Matematico, Yvette Wynn, Kiku Sakai, Sachiyo Sajitani, Marina Celander, Veronique Lozano, Elena Urgelles, Erika Comrie, Roberta Uno and Anna Carbonell.
