Rain is predicted for Saturday, but in Fort Langley a little bit of sun is expected on the stage of the Chief Sepass Theatre at the recital put on by Carol’s Polynesian Dance Studio.
Carol Kapolimehanamakamae Antonsen runs the studio which celebrates Polynesian cultures through song and dance from Hawaii, Tahiti, and New Zealand.
“We do it every two years,” said Antonsen of the show going for a decade.
She has been teaching for 16 years and noted it’s a culture-based education as much as it is about the dance. Students learn about geography, customs, and some of the language.
“They [students] have to know what every song is about,” Antonsen noted. “The costumes are very specific.”
With 30 people performing in Saturday’s show at 2 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre at 9066 Trattle St., Antonsen is busy making preparations.
“The youngest is four and the oldest is early 60s, so it is all ages,” she said.
Though Hawaii is more than 4,300 kilometres from Antonsen’s Aldergrove studio, she connects with her teacher in the Aloha State on a regular basis.
“Our whole mission statement is to preserve the culture as best as possible,” she said.
Antonsen and her students are part of a larger group that ensures the ongoing education of the Polynesian culture outside of Hawaii. The focus of the group is on Hawaiian culture first and foremost, but the recital on Saturday will also have a strong Tahitian segment.
“It will be a really good taste of culture,” she said. “A little warmth and culture on a dreary day.”
Tickets are $20 at the door. Buy in advance for $18 for adults and $15 for kids under 12 and seniors available atbrownpapertickets.com, event number 1362398 or hulainbc.com.