Aliore, Worldwide Workshops - Tahitian Dance Workshop in Tahiti

Tahitian Dance Workshop in Tahiti:

Initiate yourself to the practice of Tahitian dance in its birth place in Polynesia!
This workshop can be included within a tourist holiday. It is designed to let you have the time to visit the island and enjoy other activities during your stay in Moorea.
Everyone can learn, and everyone can practice Tahitian dance and experience all the happiness that it feels whatever your size, or how old you are.

Dates: All year long, except on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Dates are decided according to requests. Minimum 4 people, maximum 22.

Length: 4 days (mini workshops of one, two or three afternoons are also available)

Location: The workshops take place on Painapo Beach, a very charming spot by the lagoon on the island of Moorea.
The classes are not done directly on the beach but near, with a scene suitable for Tahitian dance practice. The classes are organized in open air and under the shade of the trees, beside the beach and under a thatched roof.
If you are staying in a hotel of the island that allows the workshops to be organized there, you can request it. Especially the Intercontinental Hotel and the Moorea pearl beach Hôtel.

PROGRAMME :
Dancing: You will learn the bases of dancing, fundamental principles of the movement of Tahitian dance.
You will discover how Tahitian dance is structured: the art of the movement is based on the sound and Tahitian language.
All our workshops are taught in French and English.

Day 1: 9 h to 12 h 30 or 15 to 18 30
Contact. Instructions for body standing. General principles of hip balancing and rolling. Principles of moving in space: rhythmic time; full time...Relation between the music and the movement. Initiation to the listening of traditional drums. Basic notions of gesture and coordination exercises.

Day 2: 9 h to 12 h 30 or 15 to 18 30
Practice of previous movements. Speeding and slowing of the pace on a repeated rhythm. Assimilation of balancing and rolling (tamau and farapu). Initiation of two other steps (amaha and toro), with synchronized gesture. How to link gesture and meaning. Relation of the gesture, text and words. Endurance exercises (soft).

Day 3: 9 h to 12 h 30 or 15 to 18 30
Learning of two other steps (ami and varu). Choreography beginning level: two short combined movement on drums and one elementary aparima (dance with a song).

Day 4: 9 h to 12h 30 or 15 to 18 30
Dress demonstration starting at 13h until the time of trying the dresses for the show. Practicing and advanced movement. The second part of the 4th session focuses on the preparation of the show, at the end of the workshop.
The final show takes place on the scene of Painapo Beach. Of course, participation is not obligatory but the dinner show is included in the workshop. The student who does not desire to be part of the show can just watch and enjoy it.

Making the vegetal dresses: In the afternoon, if you wish, you will watch and participate to the confection of the vegetal dresses. These are fresh cut leaves, which can only be confectioned the same day. Explanation on the auti and its different styles of weaving will be given.

The final show: A show at the end of the workshop is performed by the student, which lasts 5 to 10mn depending on the number of members at the performance. The final show will give you the opportunity to experience how it feels to be a Tahitian dancer, on a Tahitian scenery by the lagoon.
A private cameraman will film the show and the dancers could have a DVD of the show. Cost of the DVD is not included in the workshop rate and has to be paid directly by the student. The film will include the show and preparation of the show, etc.

Tariff: 328 € (minimum 4 people)
This price includes:
- 12 hours of class divided in four sessions of three hours, during four consecutive days
- The afternoon before the final performance (the fourth day), students can watch and learn how to make the vegetal dress.
- A show at the end of the workshop is performed by the student, which lasts 5 to 10mn depending on the number of members at the performance.
- A two hours lecture about dance.

A practice kit including Te Oro Tee-shirt and a head-shade, a pareo, and a small bottle of monoi is sold on site for 21,50 €. It is optional, but you have to wear a pareo for dancing, because it is part of the experience.
A dancing dress is necessary to participate to the final show. It includes a pareo suit – a long pareo and bolero top, and a vegetal dress – green auti skirt, auti crown, and flower lace. The dancing dress is sold on site for 65€.

You want to know more or to know how to enrol ? Contact us!