By Lindsay Clark
Winter Olympic nights will illuminate as the rhythmic beat of Tahitian song and dance fill the village air.
Poerava Nui, the official Tahitian dance group in the 2002 Winter Olympics will be taking part in this cultural exhibition, the Tahitian dancing group.
This all-female dancing group hopes to share the culture of Tahiti while providing excellent entertainment as they perform seven different nights in multi-cultural villages and other various venues.
Poerava Nui, which literally means 'rare pearls,' is a Tahitian dancing group comprised of 25 women.
'We started the group so that we could share the culture. Utah doesn''t have very much strong Tahitian culture and we wanted to be able to bring that,' said Ammon Kamai, the choreographer for group.
The group was created in 1995 with his mother Mere Hau Kamai at the head.
Ammon Kamai, who has been dancing for five years, said every song has a meaning and a purpose. Through his choreography he tries to convey all that as well as mix some modern moves.
If he could sum it all up in one word, exotic would describe it all, he said.
'A lot of drums, fast rhythmic movement and precise hip repetitions, which makes it all very exotic.'
The group practices two times a week to prepare for their seven performances.
Although, when the Salt Lake Organizing Committee first asked them to be a part of the Olympics they hesitated, Kamai said.
'At first we didn''t want to have to be here for the Olympics. But really, being apart of it is the biggest chance for our girls to show their talent,' he said.
Moe Tefan, from Tahiti and a member of the dance group, said it was something fun for her to do and it allows her the chance to get a break from her two kids.
Tefan has been dancing with Poerava Nui for one and a half years.
Tefan first started dancing at Brigham Young University Hawaii, which is where she started to appreciate her culture.
Tefan is now the instructor for the Tahitian section at the yearly Luau here at Brigham Young University.
'A good dancer has to live the dance and be the dance. I''m excited to be able to portray my culture in the Olympics.' Tefan said.
Marliss Manning, 23, a senior majoring in Elementary Education, from Maryland, said she is also excited to be able to participate in something so historic like the Olympics.
'Our practices are hard and Tahitian dancing is definitely a work out, but once you get on stage and just start doing your thing, you love it,' she said.
Poerava Nui will be performing in the muli-cultural village, the Gateway Mall and at Washington Square. Most shows will be open to the public and free of charge.