Finalists Compete For Urban Dance Championship

Finalists Compete For Urban Dance Championship Title

World champion breakdancers, a top hip hop dance troop and traditional Cook Island performers are among the finalists in the first ever Toa Toa Urban Maori Pacific Dance Champs.

Performing artist Mika and his Torotoro Dance Crew are hosting the grand final at 7pm tomorrow night (Nov 29) at Aotea Square's NZI Convention Centre in Auckland.

Eight finalists have been selected from four heats held at venues around Auckland between November 20 and 23. The only entry requirement was that contestants were aged between 16 and 21.

The supreme winner takes away the Toa Toa trophy for 2002 and $1,000 cash while all finalists receive awards of participation as well as prizes of Ecko clothes.

Dance scholarships will also be awarded for the 3rd Mika HAKA Summer School at the Auckland University of Technology from January 6 to 31.

The finalists are:

- Pounamu, a hip-hop dance crew from the Pounamu Performing Arts School in Glen Innes. Contact: Tapeta Wehi 09 521 0568

- Harakeke, who combine poi, aerobics and hip hop with inspiration from Phillipino member Joel Gallarde. Contact: Amelia Lynch 09 638 7446 or 021 2669299

- TDK, urban styles from the South Auckland hip hop champions. Contact: Ina Kaleti 021 103 3892

- Ashleigh Jean Mackinven, of Maori and Scottish descent from Pakuranga, who will perform a solo dance routine. Contact: Celia MacInven 09 571 3149 or 09 570 9061

- Rockers for Christ, whose members are Maori, Samoan and Chinese, are a Christian dance crew using hip hop, funk and humour. Contact: Billie Paea 09 274 3636 or 021 612 471.

- Mischief, an all-female dance crew who combine Pacific Island and international cultures with contemporary R'n'B and hip hop. Contact: Lilly-Mae Toailoa 09 269 8607

- Qwick'n'Easy, who have seven New Zealand breakdance champions and recently won the world hip hop champs. Contact: Leisa Siteine 09 268 0324 or 025 283 9885; or Greg Whaiapu 025 247 9033

- Samario, another Christian dance crew using hip hop, funk and humour Contact: JP 09 378 6405

- Pacific Temure, who have six dancers and six drummers from the Cook Islands. Contact: Marjorie Boaza 025 717 193

Torotoro have toured New Zealand and Britain this year as part of the Mika HAKA show with performances at the world's largest arts festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, and more recently welcoming the Amerigo Vespucci for the America's Cup.

The professional dance troop will revisit the UK in April next year.

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