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Screen Time
Katherine Nichols
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Dance program offers chance at show biz
Dancers who want the chance to obtain major representation and professional opportunities on the mainland won't want to miss Monday's auditions for "Destination: Groove Dance Hawaii." The television show/competition is the brainchild of
Christine Yasunaga, who danced in the original Broadway cast of "The Lion King" and "The King and I," and returned to her native Hawaii several years ago to nurture young performers.
"It's more than just giving somebody a trophy," said Yasunaga, who also gives after-school dance classes at Iolani and Punahou schools. "It's about giving them opportunities and direction into pursuing a real dance career."
Guest judges from Los Angeles and New York will select dancers for this year's series. A new format invites dance crews (eight people or less) and individuals to compete over 12 shows, hosted by Amber Stone and iNTREPiD.
For the winners, there's an undisclosed cash prize, representation from DDO Talent Agency (offices in five major cities) and a scholarship to take an unlimited number of dance classes during a one-week stay at the ever-popular Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. An added bonus: a private audition for Walt Disney World in Florida.
Auditions for "Groove" take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus. But here's the catch: You must pre-register this weekend on www.destinationgroove.com. The second season premieres at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and runs every Sunday on OC16.
"Building Blocks for Tots" on KHON2 is casting for its second season of interactive shows focusing on early childhood education and development. It recently won a Telly Award, according to Keriann Osada, who said she created the show with Susan Pereira for "parents (or grandparents) like me who are home all day with their child." But kids seem to love it, too, and often ask to do the activities they see presented in each episode.
Show up tomorrow or Sunday at Vim N Vigor Organic Market in Waimalu's Newtown Square for the open casting call. They're looking for volunteer parents, grandparents and kids from newborn to age 5. Kamehameha Schools sponsors the "Play and Learn TV series" which covers nutrition tips, sign language, Hawaiian words and methods of play that enhance intellectual and emotional development.
"Building Blocks for Tots" airs at 10 a.m. Mondays on KHON2 and repeats at 1:30 on Sundays. You can also catch the show - and join a parenting community - at www.buildingblocksfortots.com.
The High Definition workshop in December was so successful that Pacific Islanders in Communication decided to hold another HD-format workshop with local and mainland filmmakers. It runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16 and 17 at the University of Hawaii. Lots of high-tech HD editing/posting solutions and workflows also will be covered.
Registration is $399.95 but financial assistance is available. Call 956-8244.