2008 Senior Dancer of the Year

2008 Senior Dancer of the Year

The Senior Dancer of the Year competition held on Thursday 1 May showcased Cook Islands dancing at its best with 17 of the Cooks top dancers from the outer islands, Rarotonga and Auckland taking to the stage.

The competition judges had the difficult job of judging the dancers on their technical dancing skills, choreography and costume.

2007 male dancer of the year Teariki Mateariki and last years champion female dancer Uirangi Bishop were both back to defend their titles.

No one could match the skills of the beautiful Uirangi Bishop who again took out this year’s competition.

In the male section Auckland’s Tuteru Samson was crowned the 2008 Male Dancer of the Year.

Samson has returned to the Cook Islands year after year to take part in the competition and with his powerful performance he took out the competition.

Photos by Matariki Wilson

Uirangi Bishop’s performance saw her retain her title as the Cook Islands female dancer of the year after winning it in 2007. (Photo Order # 08050201)

Ngametua Meti’s costume was all made from natural products. (Photo Order # 08050226)

Paula Turua who took out second place dedicated her performance to the late Mamia Tunui Savage. (Photo Order # 08050211)

Auckland dancer Tuteru Samson took out the men’s dance competition and has been a regular dancer in the competition over the years. (Photo Order # 08050216)

Alana Short wowed the crowd in her performance that told the story of the legendary maiden Taakura. (Photo Order # 08050212)

2007 dancer of the year Teariki Mateariki had a lot of fun showing of his dance skills on Thursday night. (Photo Order # 08050219)

Chanel Vavia represented the island of Nukuroa. (Photo Order # 08050232)

Tupa Tupa won best costume in the male category. (Photo Order # 08050241)

Top Row (left to right)
Uirangi Bishop’s performance saw her retain her title as the Cook Islands female dancer of the year after winning it in 2007. (Photo Order # 08050201)

Ngametua Meti’s costume was all made from natural products. (Photo Order # 08050226)

2^nd Row (left to right)
Ritia Moara represented the northern group island of Penrhyn. (Photo Order # 08050230)

Pukapukan dancer John Eliza. (Photo Order # 08050231)

Natalia Peyroux’s costume was a glow in the dark one that put a modern spin on her cultural performance. (Photo Order # 08050223)

3^rd Row (left to right)
Tiki Tangata from Aitutaki had a New Zealand Maori flare to his performance. (Photo Order # 08050234)

Temarumaru Quarter was radiant on stage. (Photo Order # 08050236)

Eteroma Cummings dedicated his performance to the art of tapa cloth making and won third spot for his effort. (Photo Order # 08050220)

4^th Row (left to right)
Paula Turua who took out second place dedicated her performance to the late Mamia Tunui Savage.
(Photo Order # 08050211)

Auckland dancer Tuteru Samson took out the men’s dance competition and has been a regular dancer in the competition over the years. (Photo Order # 08050216)

5^th Row (left to right)
Alana Short wowed the crowd in her performance that told the story of the legendary maiden Taakura.
(Photo Order # 08050212)

2007 dancer of the year Teariki Mateariki had a lot of fun showing of his dance skills on Thursday night.
(Photo Order # 08050219)

Chanel Vavia represented the island of Nukuroa. (Photo Order # 08050232)

Tupa Tupa won best costume in the male category. (Photo Order # 08050241)

2008 Printed photos, are available for Sale from the CI News office. Please quote the individual Order number.