Tahitian Dance Competition

Get ready for some serious hip action.

Some 200 dancers will be shaking their best at the Manahere I Ori Tahiti, a dance and drumming competition at  on Saturday. 

The event is put together by the  Kawailehua Hula Ohana dance school in Milpitas. 

Vying for top spots in the annual festival, dancers range in age from 5 to “40-plus,” with the oldest soloist 57 years young, said Lorie Roldan-Almogela, who owns and teaches at the with her husband, Chris Almogela. 

Participants are grouped by age and dance categories. After preliminary judging, finalists do a dance-off for the top-five spots, including best overall male and best overall female Tahitian dancer. 

Three judges from the Polynesian community, including from the Nonosina Dance Studio in Anaheim, make up the panel. 

Manahere I Ori Tahiti will introduce a drumming competition featuring two groups showcasing their creativity with traditional Tahitian rhythms, said Roldan-Almogela.

Manahere means competition, and ori means solo. The first competition started in 2006 with 100 dancers from five or six dance groups, and this year has grown to 18 groups and 200 soloists, said Roldan-Almogela. 

This year, at least 20 volunteers will help make the competition happen at Milpitas High. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Milpitas High Athletic Boosters Club. 

“As parents of kids attending the Milpitas school district, we wanted to give back to the school,” said Roldan-Almogela. A festival like this raises money for the booster club and provides a fun atmosphere for all, she said.

The daylong contest starts 9 a.m. at Milpitas High auditorium at 1285 Escuela Parkway. In addition to entertainment from dancers and drummers, local vendors from the Polynesian community will be there. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Click here for a list of upcoming Tahitian performances in the U.S.