Fiji Sun

Moana Loa Hopes To Inspire Others Through Dance And Music

- MERE SATAKALA Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrol­a Feedback: mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj

An idea birthed out of passion for dance and music has come to fruition for the founders of Moana Loa Performing Arts Centre. Co-founder Ateca Ravuvu is no stranger to the performing arts scene having been part of the Oceania Dance Theatre since 2002.

Now with their newly-establishe­d company alongside co-founder, Glenville Lord, Moana Loa as they call themselves, is dedicated to bringing quality and affordable performing arts training to communitie­s. “The Suva based centre’s focus is to teach different performing arts genre of dance, drama, aerial dance, and music to the local communitie­s around Fiji and nurture them to become more creative,” said Ms Ravuvu. Moana Loa will be among 12 groups and bands that will be part of the Thurston Food and Music Festival in two weeks’ time.

Ms Ravuvu is grateful to Knox Entertainm­ent for giving them the opportunit­y to share with the community the talent, the stories and moving arts they have.

“Performing in a festival of this magnitude is very exciting and we hope we can inspire or touch those that come see our performanc­e,” said the Naitasiri lass. She added people coming to watch can expect to see art on stage and in the air and expect to see a human lizard, mother earth, and dancing on a suspended ladder. There are about nine dancers in the group. “During the day children will have the opportunit­y to meet one of these characters and also take part in the brief aerial dance demonstrat­ions.”

If you want to know more about the centre you can check out their Moana Loa Performing Arts Centre Facebook page. Thurston Food and Music Festival will be held at Thurston Garden, Suva on July 15 from 9am-10pm.

About 1500 people are expected at the festival.The first music festival is the first major event by Knox Entertainm­ent Limited. Tickets for the Thurston Food and Music Festival are selling at the ROC Café, Ginger Kitchen at the Fiji Museum, and the Fiji Broadcasti­ng Corporatio­n for only $20. Admission is free for children under 12 years.

 ?? Photo: Jeremy Duxbury ?? MOTHER EARTH REBIRTH: Moana Loa Performing Arts Centre co-founder Ateca Ravuvu as Mother Earth whom audiences can expect to see at the Festival.
Photo: Jeremy Duxbury MOTHER EARTH REBIRTH: Moana Loa Performing Arts Centre co-founder Ateca Ravuvu as Mother Earth whom audiences can expect to see at the Festival.
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