Le Taupou Manaia cultural holiday show set for Tuesday

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council, Bluesky Communications and various local businesses are teaming up with the Le Taupou Manaia (LTM) Dance Academy to put on a cultural holiday show on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020.

The event, which will be held at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, will see young taupou ages 4 to 17 perform various Samoan siva with a special production on the story of “Lefaitulagi,” a Samoan taupou who married a nobleman from the Kingdom of Tonga. She moved to Tonga to live with her husband. On hearing the sad news of the passing of her mother, Vaopunimatagi, Lefaitulagi made her way back home to farewell her mother. The Apia tinifu called “Vineula” composed the song, “Lefaitulagi” in remembrance of her mother.

The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council is partnering with the Le Taupou Manaia for the production of Lefaitulagi. The entire holiday show, which starts at 6:30 p.m., will be live streamed by main sponsor Bluesky Communications. It will feature performances from local artists and virtual performances by the Le Taupou Manaia Dance groups based in Apia, Samoa; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia and the Mainland USA.

Established in 1999, Le Tapou Manaia has stretched its wings beyond American Samoa. In addition to teaching Samoan siva and the mannerisms of a taupou to young Samoan girls living in the Pacific region and the US, this year Le Taupou Manaia has introduced Samoan language classes that are being taught online by alumni members, and even ballet, which is taught by local artists Mr. and Mrs. Park. A few the ballet moves are incorporated in some of the dance performances that ticket holders will get to see during the holiday show.

Le Taupou Manaia Founder, Managing Director and Chief Choreographer Tuifa’asisina Korina Seiuli Lee said the Le Taupou Manaia Academy has accomplished a lot since opening its doors more than 20 years ago and the academy will continue to share, teach and spread the Samoan cultural to all taupou around the world in an effort to preserve and perpetuate our culture for future generations.

Over the years, the group has performed at numerous cultural events and functions such at the PCC Hawaii, Waikiki Shell, We are Samoa Festival in California, Pacific Festival in New Zealand, Auckland War Memorial Museum, and American Samoa, Samoa and Pacific Island pageants. They also competed at the Teuila Festival in Samoa, placing 2nd place in 2003 and in 2004 became the only American Samoa group to win the Teuila Festival SIVA Fa’aleaganu’u Competition Trophy. The group also performs for government functions, non-profit fundraising events and family gatherings.

For their holiday show, tickets and corporates tables are now on sale and more information can be found by visiting the Le Taupou Manaia’s Facebook page or contact Kori at 254-3495; Isabel Hudson at 733-7042; Manu’a Chen at 252-4788l and Judy Ulufale at 256-0052.

Doors at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, also known as the ‘fale lamei’, opens at 5 p.m and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.