Spring Classes begin Tuesday May 18, 2010

With spring in full swing, why not swing your hips to celebrate? Come have fun and join us for our next session of authentic Polynesian dance classes! We encourage you to pre-register to take advantage of some promotions that will truly help you save money!

May 18 - Tuesday Hula with Wendy
8:00pm - 9:00pm
May 20 - Thursday Tahitian with Joy
8:00pm - 9:00pm

$65 per session (6 weeks) - register on or before 5/18 (Hula) and 5/20 (Tahitian)
$75 if you register after 5/18 (Hula) and 5/20 (Tahitian)
$100 Tahitian and Hula ($30 savings) - register before 5/18
$120 Tahitian and Hula ($10 savings) - register before 5/24

Please visit our website at ohanaent.com for registration information or simply email us at ohanaent@gmail.com

Collective Dance Studio
Riverpoint Plaza
1730 West Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614

Due to Popular Demand ! Holding Auditions for Tuesday May 11, 2010

You read that right ! For those still interested we would love to meet you!
Please email us at ohanaent@gmail.com for more details

Collective Dance
Riverpoint Plaza
1730 West Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614
773-281-5678 (directions only)

Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 8:30 pm

80 degrees predicted in Chicago...It's about that time to sign up for Hula and/or Tahitian!

The weatherman predicts 80 degrees in the city of Chicago!
Polynesian dancing goes hand in hand with the weather - flip flop season, summer dresses, beaches, picnics and LUAUS !!! Feel beautiful and sexy to learn a new dance style ! We guarantee that you will know 2 routines before the session ends. Sign up NOW !!
No prior experience necessary. Our new session begins next week!

Spring Session 1 (6 weeks)
Tuesday April 6 - Hula with Wendy 8-9pm
Thursday April 8 - Tahitian with Joy 8-9pm

for more info please go to our website at ohanaent.com or email us at ohanaent@gmail.com

For other dance classes please visit collectivedancechicago.com
Collective Dance Chicago
1730 West Fullerton Avenue | Chicago, IL 60614-1900

++We also offer a Refer a Friend Program (RAF)++
Refer 1 friend and you will get 50% off 2nd class
Refer 2 friends and you will get the 2nd class for FREE

Join us at the "Adventures in Travel Expo" - 3/20/10 Stephens Convention Center

Are you on a budget and need a glimpse of what it would be like to be in Puerto Rico, Korea, Hawaii, or other destinations? Planning a vacation and don't know where to go? Well take a trip to the Stephens Convention Center, Chicago/IL to experience all the above and more ! Enjoy what "Adventures in Travel Expo" has to offer! Don't be surprised walking away with a booked vacation package from one of their travel exhibitors!

We, at Ohana Entertainment, is honored to perform at this event. Visit us at the expo - you will definitely be entertained !! (schedule of performance below)

2010 Chicago Tribune Travel & Adventure Show
Where:		Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (formerly Rosemont Convention Center) 5555 N. River Road Rosemont, IL 60018
When:		March 20th - 21st, 2010 Saturday 10:30am to 5pm Sunday 11:00am to 4pm

SAVE TIME AND MONEY -- BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!

Public Expo Admission Fee:
Adults: $15 per day
Children under 16*: Free per day

As you enter the Travel & Adventure Show, you are immediately transported to another place as you'll experience the music, dancing and culture from worldwide destinations!

World Heritage Cultural Center’s mission is to create a common ground where any culture in the world can come and celebrate their way of life through the Arts. WHCC is a non-for-profit organization and a proud sponsor of the Global Beats Stage at the Travel and Adventure Shows and in addition to bringing the world on one stage, there will be a Cultural Pavilion featuring henna tattoo, face painting, cultural clothing on display, cultural jewelry, hair braiding with beads, and fun palm reading. We will also have an amazing artist (painter) bring some of his work to make things interesting.

Saturday, March 20
Schedule at-a-Glance

Schedule and performances subject to change
without prior notice

11:00am	Irish Dancing
	Presented by: Trinity Irish Dancers
11:20am	Polynesian Dance
	Presented by: Ohana Entertainment
12:10pm	Thai Boxing Demonstration
	Presented by: Tourism Authority of Thailand
12:35pm	Philippine Dance and Music
	Presented by: Philippine Tourism Board
12:50pm	Mambo / Latin Dancing
	Presented by: Modern Clave Dance
1:15pm	Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap
	Presented by: Demaira Dance
	Studios Inc.
1:30pm	Mexican Dance Ensemble
	Presented by: Mexico Tourism Board
1:55pm	Philippine Dance and Music
	Presented by: Philippine Tourism Board
2:20pm	Belly Dancing - Egyptian, Turkish, Gypsy
	Presented by: Arabesque Dance Studios
3:00pm	Bharatanatyam - Indian Classical Dance
	Presented by: Natraj Dance Academy
3:20pm	Kuchipudi - Indian Classical Dance
	Presented by: Natraj Dance Academy
3:40pm	Mohiniattam - Indian Classical Dance
	Presented by: Natraj Dance Academy
4:05pm	Belly Dancing - Egyptian, Turkish, Gypsy
	Presented by: Arabesque Dance Studios
4:30pm	Haitian Dance
	Presented by: The Tambuola Ethnic Dance

Early Registrations for Tahitian and/or Hula !!

We heard the groundhog saw his shadow in the city of Chicago - So that means there is 6 weeks left of this cold, wintery blast ! We appreciate the lovely Wahines for being so courageous beating the single digit temps this past session - because inside the studio it surely felt like a 100 degrees!

So get ready for Spring and Summer to learn some basic steps AND beautiful dances with Ohana Entertainment ! We are NOW accepting early registration for Hula Tuesdays with Wendy (2/23) and Tahitian Thursdays with Joy (2/25) !

We are also still promoting our Refer A Friend Program (RAF) for first time enrollment!

• Refer 1 friend and you receive the 2nd class for 50% off (example: register for Hula you will have 50% off Tahitian)
  
• Refer 2 friends and receive the 2nd class for FREE (example: register for Tahitian and you will have Hula for FREE)
• Note: Promotion can only be honored during the current session

See you soon Vahines!

Hula Thursdays...Wendy is Amazing !!!

We are proud to introduce Wendy as part of our Ohana !!
Please welcome her and sign up for classes Thursdays starting 1/14/10 from 8-9pm!
collective dance studio | riverpoint plaza 1730 w fullerton | chicago 60614


Biography – Wendy

Wendy was born and raised in Hawaii and has been dancing hula for over 25 years. She recently relocated to the Chicago area in August 2009. Wendy started dancing hula at the age of 5 with Halau Hula Olana, lead by Olana Ai. Her young hula career includes highlights such as winning Keiki Hula Competitions, entertaining for hotels and cruise ships in Waikiki, performing for the United Nations and President George Bush, and traveling around the world to dance the hula and share the Hawaiian culture.

Wendy attended Punahou School and assumed the very exclusive role of Holoku Pageant director. The Holoku Pageant is the only student run Hula and Polynesian dance recital of its kind in the State. She choreographed hula dances, designed costumes, organized music, and led the production.

While attending Cornell University, Wendy revived the Cornell Hawaii Club and was able to lead the production of an authentic Hawaiian luau in Ithaca, New York, that included traditional Hawaiian food, hula and other Polynesian dances. The Hawaiian luau became so popular that by the second year, they offered two different show times and both shows were sold out with a total of 400 people.

Wendy has taught hula in many different areas and enjoys sharing the Hawaiian culture especially when she’s so far from home. She welcomes students of all levels of experience to join her and feel the Aloha as they dance the hula.

Saturday 12/5/09 ::: Ohana Ent Annual Christmas Recital :::

Mele Kalikimaka ::
Merry Christmas

The weather outside is frightful
but the stage is so delightful!
And since there is no place to go,
then watch Ohana
put on a good show!

Come watch how the lovely wahines celebrate Christmas - Polynesian Style !

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets are being sold fast so purchase advanced tickets for $10 !
$12 at the door
Kids 5 and under are FREE

Saturday 12/5/09
***CHANGE OF VENUE***
Dance Connection
3117 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60618-6424
(city parking, please bring quarters and watch for permit parking signs)

Doors open at 7:30PM
Show starts at 8:00PM

Sorry, No video or flash photography allowed
Light Concession will be sold.
For ticket information please contact ohanaent@gmail.com

Introducing our new Polynesian Dancers of Ohana Entertainment....

Aloha Ohana...

It's been over a month since we held Ohana Enterainment's First Audition and we are proud to say that we had a "hu'ihu'i" (cool/awesome) time....

Picture a perfect September day in the village of Wicker Park. The sky is blue and the temperature is cool, but as you enter Ohana's Studio, heat rises like flames of fire. Imagine the excitement, nervousness, and rush the lovely wahines have as they make their way to the 2nd floor to make the cut as part the next Ohana Polynesian Dancer....

The wahines were unaware of what to expect but once the the toere drums starts beating; the hips starts shakin, and boy oh "boe" it was 'on' ! Each and every single one of them holds true talent and beauty to the Polynesian culture. They all danced hard to impress the judges; and may we say it all paid off because we could not pick just one new member but we had to pick them ALL! Ho'omaika'i (Congratulations) to the next generation of Ohana Entertainment.

Welcome the new Wahines of Ohana Entertainment !

• Cindy


• Mari


• Suzanne


• Zenora

We are currently training and conditioning the wahines for our new and ever so HOT line up for the Summer of 2010. So for all our fans out there, keep an eye on our blogs for upcoming news !!

Oct. 9 | Ohana Ent Appearance at the Greek Dancing Competition !

Brought to you by Auspices of the Metropolis of Chicago & The World Council of Hellenes Abroad SAE U.S.A. Region, we graciously accept their invitation to participate in the inaugural ceremony!

Friday October 9th, at the Westin O'hare, we will be shaking our hips to some Tahitian beats and telling stories with our lovely Hula hands in front of a group of talented youths from Hellenic American. This event is the FIRST ANNUAL GREEK FOLK DANCE & CHORAL COMPETITON in which they are able to showcase their talents through dancing and singing !

For more information , please click on the image.

!!! POLYNESIAN DANCERS WANTED !!!

POLYNESIAN DANCERS WANTED

Ohana Entertainment is looking to expand our Family of Dancers.
If you are an experienced Polynesian dancer and have performed at an advanced or professional level, we’d love to meet you! We are looking for talented, energetic, outgoing, and experienced dancers who want to help us share the Aloha Spirit. Men and women who are 18 and older are welcome, and if you know someone that might be interested, be sure to let them know! Mahalo!

We would like to invite you to celebrate your talent on:
15 Sept 2009 at 7:30 PM. 1357 N Milwaukee, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL
Please bring music and be prepared to dance a Hula and Tahitian number

For more information, please contact us at ohanaent@gmail.com

Basic Hula and Tahitian Steps

You ask yourself, "How will I ever know these steps?" It may seem harder than it really is, but knowing the basic moves for Polynesian dancing brings you closer to the culture .
If you practice these steps 5-10min a day, study them in your car, or even quiz yourself before going to bed, you will eventually create your own choreography!
To learn these hot moves, stop in and take advantage of your First Class FREE when you mention this blog !!
See you in Class on Thursday with Ohana Entertainment

- Pômaikai! [POH' mai kah' ee] GOOD LUCK

::Hula Steps:: text from: http://www.kpohana.com/basichulasteps.html

Kaholo (vamp) take two steps to the right, bring your feet together, take two steps to the left, bring your feet together and repeat process all over again

Ami rotate hips in a counter-clockwise motion without moving shoulders

Sway swing your hips to the right and left

ami poe poe as you ami (counter-clockwise) you turn counter-clockwise keeping your left foot in its place and turn by stepping with your right foot

*do the opposite if you move correspondingly: clockwise ami to turn clockwise keeping your right foot in place and turn by stepping with your left foot

hela while keeping your stance straight extend your foot forward as you sway: extend your right foot as you sway to the left and extend your left foot as you sway to the right

kalakaua step forward and sway in the same direction

uwehe step and lift your heels; you should not be lifting you entire body, stay level as you uwehe so that only your legs are moving

lele uwehe make a side step, hela with the opposite foot and uwehe*step to the left, hela with the right foot and uwehe (vice versa)

kui take a small step and as your foot hits the ground your other foot sweeps up far enough to be level with your knee

tui (bump)a brupt sways
i lalo to go down

i luna to rise

lava stop

imua go forward

ihope go backward

::Tahitian Steps:: credit to: http://www.dance.net/u/kaleonahenahe
Afata- box (hips hit in the shape of a box)
Fa'arapu- stir hips fast circles ( hips move around in fast circles)
Fa'arori- varu fa'arapu (you do a fa'arapu in the shape of figure eight)
Fa'amenemene- ami fa'arapu (you do a big ami and a fa'arapu @ the same time)
Ope- you put one leg out and push and then the same to the other side
Ruru- freeze ( I normally refere to this move as a shimmy)
Nu'utere Ne'e- duck walk
Tamau- sway right, sway left (hips bump from side to side)
Te'i- on toes
Toma- double bump
Varu- figure eight (hips move in the shape of a figure eight the in parallel to the floor)

8/16/09 |Ohana Entertainment & Friends at the Naperville Central Park Concert Center for Asian Heritage Festival

(click on image for a larger view)

Xilin Association will be celebrating the 7th Annual Asian Heritage Festival which is an outdoor and all day event complete with Cultural Village Bazaar & Ethnic Dance Splendor Stage Show Performances on Sunday, August 16th 2009. BRING YOUR FAMILY AND LUNCH FOR A PICNIC IN THE PARK! SEE YOU THERE !

Polynesian Instrument Class - Ukelele and Toere Beats

Ohana Entertainment is now offering
Polynesian Instrument Classes !

• Learn the basic chords, tuning and strumming of the ukulele
• Be able to properly strum and play several traditional Hawaiian songs,local Hawaiian songs and mainstream music of today
• Recognize and play basic toere beats

Classes begin Saturday July 11, 2009
Taught by Noble
8 Week Session
$100.00 (Special One Time Only Offer)
Starting at 10 am
(4 students minimum)

For detailed information, such as syllabus, please contact us at ohanaent@gmail.com