[ WEEKEND ]
COURTESY OF TAU DANCE THEATRE
No boundaries
For Tau Dance Theater founder and artistic director Peter Rockford Espiritu, it is only natural that the place of his birth be reflected in his craft. "Mareka Me Venuse (Mars and Venus)," which plays tonight and tomorrow night at the Hawaii Theatre, is a colorful melting pot of dance, music and culture, with particular emphasis on Hawaiian themes.
Drawing from Espiritu's previous nationally acclaimed shows, "Men Dancing" and "Ladies Night Out," "Mareka Me Venuse" is, in essence, a bisected production. The first half will feature an exclusively male cast, followed by an all-female performance. Each portion will highlight the distinctions between the sexes in their approach to dance, theater and music through the union of disciplines both traditional and modern.
'Mareka Me Venuse'
Presented by Tau Dance TheaterWhere: Hawaii Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow
Tickets: $8 to $23
Call: 528-0506
"Tau Dance's niche is really Pacific-Asian, using contemporary themes," explains Espiritu. "One collaboration that I'm doing with the women is a piece that mixes both ancient and modern hula with ballet on point and modern dance. Another mixes opera with contemporary, vibey music along with chant in Hawaiian."
This vibrant fusion of mediums -- both new and old, Hawaiian, Asian and Western -- has been the hallmark of Tau Dance Theater since its inception in 1992.
"We've worked with almost every major contemporary Hawaiian artist -- Na Leo, Brothers Cazimero, Melveen Leed. The list is amazing even when I look at it," says Espiritu, who now adds Makana, Kaumaka'iwa Kanaka'ole, Hala'i, and the Pua Melia Trio to that illustrious roster of homegrown musical collaborators. Kanaka'ole and Makana, he says, will use the production as a platform to premiere new compositions.
One particular number, divulges Espiritu, requires he dance solo with only Makana and his guitar as accompaniment.
COURTESY OF TAU DANCE THEATRE
"With Makana, I think it's a natural fit, because the way that I approach dance is the way he approaches music, and we're both modern Polynesians," Espiritu states. "We really connect, and the way we collaborate, it's almost a spontaneous thing. We don't practice together; we know each other's work and just feed off each other."
In addition, audiences will be treated to Sonny Ching's Halau Na Mamo o Pu'uanahulu, Piilani Smith and Malamalama Hawai'i, and Singsing Bliss Chinese Dance Company. As a special treat, "Mareka Me Venuse" will also feature Arra-trained performer Andrea Torres, whose astounding aerial ring routine in the long-standing Maui production "'Ulalena" has earned the Brazil-born dancer a place among the islands' most breathtaking performers. Torres, an old acquaintance of Espiritu, offered her services to the production, and Espiritu, naturally, was delighted by the gesture.
"She actually said, 'I want to be in your show,'" laughs Espiritu. "I said. 'I want you to be in my show!'"
Also appearing is Honolulu nightlife icon Sami Akuna (often known by his drag persona Cocoa Chandelier), whose 21-member dance troupe, Giinko Maraschino, will be afforded a grander setting than the usual smoky confines of Honolulu nightclubs.
"You can expect a lot from Sami, he's so cutting edge," enthuses Espiritu. "I really believe that form (of dance) is a valid one and should be seen on a stage and not just in a club. That's why Sami's been in every one of my 'Men Dancing' shows."
Though it's a combination unique to Hawaii, Espiritu believes "Mareka Me Venuse" can appeal to audiences everywhere. When the opportunity arises, he would like to take the show on a national or international tour.
"Art is art," affirms Espiritu. "There are no boundaries with us, and because we don't set any boundaries, there really is no limit to what we can do. Anything's possible."
COURTESY OF TAU DANCE THEATRE
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