South Pacific music is worth celebrating
Hong Kong music lovers will be treated to an exotic cultural experience next month when Polynesian log drums meet electric guitars in Live In Concert presented by the group Te Vaka.
One of the many attractions in the Family Fiesta series, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Departments, Te Vaka brings a fresh cultural experience to a cosmopolitan city with a show that introduces the world of South Pacific traditions to Hong Kong.
A representative from Te Vaka said that Polynesian dance and music could best be described as celebratory. 'Music and dance are used to celebrate and mark important events throughout Polynesia,' the programme spokesperson said.
The performance pieces include everything from log drum grooves to soulful ballads, as those in the audience tap their feet to the beat pounded out by the seven-piece drumming group.
But in celebration there are also messages of vigilance and hope.
Te Vaka means 'The Canoe', and the name is derived from the sea-migrating origins of the Polynesian people. The performance by the 11-piece group from New Zealand tells the story of Polynesia, from the pioneers' first journey across the ocean in a small canoe, to the destruction of the smaller Pacific islands brought on by global warming.
Opetaia Foa'i, songwriter and lead vocalist of the group, looks to his multicultural upbringing for inspiration. Coming from both Tokelauan and Tuvaluan backgrounds, Foa'i has created a sound that imparts the richness of the Polynesian culture. This cultural variety is accordingly brought out by the dancers, who are skilled in Polynesian dances from a number of different South Pacific islands.
Foa'i's musical background is also said to span 'both the traditional and the diverse influences of contemporary metropolitan culture'. The resulting influence on his music is one that produces a fusion of traditional and modern sounds, lending a contemporary edge to the show and allowing the music to permeate cultures and generations.
The audience will be able to recognise the familiar strumming of acoustic and electric guitars in the music, while being introduced to the signature sound of the log drums (or pate). It will be a treat to the eye, and costumes will be changed accordingly, with the dancers performing in both contemporary and traditional attire.
Te Vaka has been performing since 1997 and has appeared in more than 30 countries around the world, in locations as far flung as the United States, Britain and mainland Europe.
Hong Kong audiences will be able to enjoy the Te Vaka experience on March 13 at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre.
