Polynesian Dance Group and Luau–Tava’esina ole Pasefika

Photographing this group was truly amazing. They are a Polynesian dance group, and they’re all my friends! I am so lucky to have such insanely talented people to call friends. The leader of the group, Sia Niko, started teaching a few people who wanted to learn because it was fun, and then it got bigger and bigger over time. They are asked to perform at different events, and this one was a high school graduation party. I say party, but it was more of a luau.  Watching them do quick outfit changes, perform several different dances from several different countries, and interact with each other was truly such a blessing. Sia, told me the meaning of their group’s name, and it’s such a great description, that I’m just going to quote her.

“The Tava’esina is Samoa’s long-tailed tropical bird. On the ground it looks somewhat awkward, but once it’s airborne where it belongs, it is beautifully graceful. Like the Tava’esina, we can stumble around in our earthly journey, but once we take gospel wings, the sky is the limit. Our dancers are fast learning to fly with courage and grace. To see on fly is rare… They are sea faring birds, but nest high up in the tropical rain forest.”