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| The Hula Mai Dancers at the Plaza |
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Hula Mai is our taste of Hawaii right here at Vintage House Senior Center in the town of Sonoma. It's where everyone who has ever dreamed of dancing the hula can learn how; it's where everyone who has ever danced hula before can dance again. It's where, with practice, dancers can become part of the Hula Mai performing road show. Whatever your Hula experience, you are welcome at Hula Mai.
Hula Mai means Come and Dance. We call to you now. Hula Mai.
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| Hula classes are offered in eight-week workshops. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for the current schedule. Call Linda Gavron, Program Director at Vintage House, for more information. 707-996-0311.
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Hula Mai offers classes in the hula at Vintage House in Sonoma, California, taught by Betty Ann Ka'ihilani Bruno. The name, Hula Mai, is a verbal beckoning, an invitation to come and dance, literally: Come here and hula. When Betty Ann established Hula Mai in May of 2009, her hope was to inspire a love for the hula through knowledge and understanding of the Hawaiian culture.
Written materials and video instruction are provided so students can practice at home. The classes cover basic steps of the hula and choreographed dances which include both 'Auana (contemporary hula) and Kahiko (ancient chants).
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| Betty Ann Ka'ihilani Bruno |
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The choreography includes both Kahiko and 'Auana
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Kahiko
is the old style or ancient hula, danced to a chant accompanied by a drum
(Pahu) or gourd (Ipu-heke). Some ancient hulas were taught under very strict
rules, and were called 'hula kapu' because they were for ceremonial purposes
only, and not entertainment. Thus, they were not available to the general
public. That has changed, however, since the 1970's and today Hula Kahiko is
widely performed and can be enjoyed by everyone. The traditional costume for
women doing Kahiko is the "pa'u."
'Auana style hula can be described as the 'modern hula.' It
is danced to melodic songs accompanied by ukeleles and guitars, etc. The lyrics are often in English, as
opposed to the Kahiko chants which are always in Hawaiian. Costumes for 'auana style hulas can be
traditional ti-leaf skirts, or dresses adapted from western styles - the
mu'umu'u, holomu'u or holoku.
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| Carolyn, Mary |
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| Liz and Donna |
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People
with all levels of dance experience are welcome.
Comfortable clothing is recommended and also a dance wrap or pareau.
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| Vintage House |
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| Vintage House is in the town of Sonoma and generously sponsors Hula
Mai. For more information about Vintage House and other programs that
may interest you, click here, or call Linda Gavron, Program Director, at 707-996-0311.
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| Linda Gavron |
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| Karen |
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| Linda |
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| Sondra and Constance |
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