One of the most sought after educators of Polynesian & Pacific Rim studies, specializing
in indigenous traditional & contemporary dance, music, costume, art, history, language
& performance, Paul Tavai-Latta is a recognized educator on Maohi (Polynesian) culture.
Paul & his Dancers continue to set all standards & break records for Polynesian
Dance & Entertainment in Canada!
His Polynesian education began with his adoptive Polynesian family - the Tavai family
of Rarotonga, Cook Islands & continued on to advance education at Brigham Young
University (Hawaii) where he studied & performed at the Polynesian Cultural Centre
(Oahu). Paul Latta holds the only Master's Degree in Pacific Dance in Canada! He
was awarded this honour in 1983 by Mr. George Lanakilakeki'ahi'ali'i Naope of Hilo,
Hawaii, the creator & founder of the world famous "Merrie Monarch Hula Festival"
of Hawaii &official judge of "Festival Polynesia / Pacific Rim 1983!", a Polynesian
dance competition founded by Paul in 1980.
Paul was further honoured in 1983 by Mr. Naope who bestowed upon him his personal
Uniki (graduation) title name of "Paul Ma'e Ma'e Kapua O Kahala". It was then with
Uncle George's blessing Hula Hâlau Ma'e Ma'e Kapua O Kahala proudly became the name
of the Polynesian Division of our school. Paul is also the youngest member to be
inducted into the "Hui O Na Kumu Hula" of Seattle, WA.
HISTORY
Born July 22, 1960, Paul spent his formative years living & attending grade school
in the heart of the South Pacific -Tahiti, Mo'orea, Bora Bora, Fiji, New Zealand,
Rarotonga, Cook Islands & Hawaii. His mother was a dancer with the original Royal
Tahitians, Tahiti's premier& best known dance troupe. His father was a candidate
for Minister of Tourism & Cultural Affairs for the Cook Islands while employed by
the Cook Island Trading Co. Paul & his sister Michelle were adopted into the Tavai
Polynesian Family of Titikaveka Village, Rarotonga, one of Tahiti's & Rarotonga's
most respected Polynesian families, who shared their rich history, culture & traditions
in the true Polynesian way. Their early introduction to the Polynesian way of life
fostered Paul's life-long commitment to the South Pacific's culture, music & dance!
Paul's return trip to Rarotonga in 1993 was extra special as he received his official
documents recognized him as part of the Tavai family. Thus "Tavai's Polynesian Review!"
has since been the name of Paul's International Touring Shows & his annual year-end
"Show of Shows!", a 2 1/2 hour Polynesian Spectacular held every June!
Upon returning to Canada after years in the South Pacific, Paul enthusiastically
enrolled in weekly Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Flamenco and music and acting classes
while performing with his parents' highly successful dance troupe "Tavai's Tahitians"
(est 1968), Canada's first authentic Polynesian Dance School! An award-winning dancer
& performer, Paul used his background, knowledge, inspiration, creativity & variety
of dance disciplines to start his own School in 1971, at age 11, with his own students
winning in competition that very first year! Paul credits his talent to his musical
& artistic family, which has been in the performing arts for over 4 decades.
Since 1969, Paul has personally won countless local, national & international Polynesian
& Tap Dancing championships. But the crowning achievement has been that Paul & The
Paul Latta Dancers have earned themselves the reputation of "Canada's Finest Award
Winning Polynesian Dancers!" winning virtually every award possible in over 100
national & international competitions & boasting an unsurpassed record of 15 100%
perfect scores! They collectively have won over 5,000 trophies, bursaries, scholarships
& many other "Awards & Titles of Distinction" over the past 30 years. In July 1995,
Paul competed in the largest all Tahitian Dance Competition, the Tahiti Fete of
San Jose, CA, where he not only won first place in his class but also was awarded
the Championship & Grand Prize as the "Grand Overall Top Soloist" of the entire
event, competing against more than 300 participants, many of them direct from Honolulu
& Tahiti!! In 1998, the dancers competed in "5-6-7-8 Showtime Canadian Dance Competitions
- National Championships" & again achieved a total "shut-out", winning the top prize
in every category!
Show #1
"THIS IS POLYNESIA!"
SOUTH SEA EXTRAVAGANZA!
(Canada's Largest Polynesian Spectacular!)
Up to 11/2-hour Spectacular (or 2 - 3 condensed shows)
Cast of 10 - 15
5-20 Min. Special Guest Appearance
(does not include lights, sound system, decorations
or mini "Pre-Show")
Show #2
"TAMURE TAHITI'S!" POLYNESIAN SPECTACULAR!
"IT'S THE BEST OF POLYNESIA!"
One 1-hour Show (or 2 Shorter Shows):
Paul, Hula Mama & Cast of 4- 5 female dancers
5-10 Min. Special Guest Appearance/Opening Act
(does not incl. lights, sound system)
Show #3
"ADVENTURES IN PARADISE!" SOUTH SEA REVIEW!
"OUR MOST POPULAR MID-SIZE, MID-PRICE SHOW!"
One 45-minute (or two 20-minute) Complete Polynesian Review:
Paul, & 2 female dancers, plus Hula Mama
With additional dancer(s)
5-10 Min. Special Guest Appearance/Opening Act
(does not incl. lights, sound system)
Show #4
"PORTS OF PARADISE!" REVIEW
YOUR PASAGEWAY TO THE SOUTH SEAS!"
"OUR LATEST PRODUCTION!
YOUR OWN TROPICAL TOUR!"
One 1/2 hour Show (or two 15-minute Shows):
Cast of 2 (Paul & 1 female Dancer)
With the one and only Fire Dance!
With "Hula Mama" Special Comedy Guest
5-10 Min. Special Guest Appearance/Opening Act
(does not incl. lights, sound system)
Show #5
"JOURNEY THRU POLYNESIA!" SOUTH SEA REVIEW!"
"THE NON-PROFESSIONAL STUDIO / STUDENT SHOW!"
One 1/2 hour to 1 hour Show (or two Shorter Shows):
Paul and Cast of 6-15
With Paul Tavai-Latta performing the one and only Fire Dance!
Entire Cast under the Direction of Brenda "Nui Loa" from Hawaii/MC
Show #6
"ALOHA EXPERIENCE!"
"A PERFECT 'SHORT & SWEET' COCKTAIL SHOW!"
One 20 minute Show:
Cast of 2 Females
With "Hula Mama" Special Guest Soloist & MC
Show #7
"TABU!" "ONE-MAN JOURNEY THRU POLYNESIA!"
"FOR THE LADIES!"
One 10 minute Show featuring Paul Tavai-Latta
With the one and only Fire Dance!
Show #8
"HULAGRAM!" PARTY SURPRISE
JUST FOR FUN!
One 10 minute mini Show:
Solo "Hula Maiden" or "Hula Mama" Comedy Show
Show #9
"TUTU REVIEW"
(A delightful guest appearance by our talented Hula Tutu's)
One 1/2 hour Hawaiian & Variety Show
Featuring our talented Parks & Recreation Seniors
Show #10
"THE "AZIZ!" REVIEW
"#1 Male Belly Dancer in Vancouver!" (For the Ladies!)
One 15-20 minute exciting solo show
Or the "Boy/Girl Duo Show"
Show #11
"TIME MACHINE!"
INTERACTIVE DANCE PARTY!
Get up and dance to popular dance tunes with this high energy Dance Party!
Noteable Entertainment & Events is a Vancouver based
booking agency, party rental, entertainment services and
event production company. If you are interested in booking Paul Latta please
contact us.