Polynesians prepare to dance at annual event
Think the fun’s over now that Spring Break has come and gone?
You may find it isn’t at the Polynesian Student Union’s annual luau Saturday.
Originally, a luau is a celebration for a wedding or for someone important in social status, Joshua Rosen, PSU’s dance coordinator said. Now, it’s an event for students and others to enjoy an evening of entertainment and food from students of different islands and cultures, he said.
This year’s luau will present different types of dancing from multiple Polynesian islands, Rosen said.
Each island has its own style of dance.
“It let’s other people know we have diversity in the school,” said Thathiep Hungmany, a member of PSU, who will also be performing in the show.
Yet, the club is for everybody, said Susiane Silvlva, the PSU treasurer.
“Last year every ethnicity was represented,” she said.
Children will also be performing and there will be time for audience participation during intermission for those wanting to learn.
“[The whole] community comes out,” Silvlva said. “It’s not just for Utah State University students.”
It would be wise to get tickets early – last year’s show was sold out to a crowd of more than a thousand.
If dancing doesn’t excite you, an authentic Polynesian dinner might.
Silvlva said food on the menu includes a roasted kalua pig, rice, Polynesian chop suey and guava cake.
Students may purchase tickets at the Taggart Student Center Ticket Office. It will be held Saturday evening in the Sunburst Lounge and the Ballroom of the TSC. The dinner is at 5 and the show starts at 7. It’s $8 for students attending both the dinner and the show or $4 for just the show. Proceeds will go to the PSU.
Videos and DVDs of the event will be available.
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu