Learn the Art of Cultural Dancing With Kalakeke Pacific Island Dance Company

 Gladys Farrell and her entire family have been dancing for as long as they could remember, and about 9 years ago, the Farrell family decided to turn a family-wide passion into a business, supporting the community through dance just as dance has supported their family.  So the Farrells relocated from the Bay Area to Southern California and started their own dance company right here in Santa Clarita.  As a result, Kalakeke Pacific Island Dance Company has been serving our community with smiles, laughter and togetherness since 2007.
“We wanted to start something we could share with our kids and the community,” Gladys said.  “We wanted to share culture, music and dance.”
And their vision didn’t end with dance classes; in addition to private classes, Kalakeke hosts competitions, public classes, performances and more in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Currently, Kalakeke holds dance sessions at three different locations throughout the week: Hart Hall at William S. Hart Park on Wednesdays; Christ Lutheran Church on Fridays; and Higher Vision Church on Saturdays.
“We also have several competitions throughout the year including our Te Mana Ori competition, which is a Tahitian dance competition,” Gladys said.  “It’s a fairly large event, and we receive competitors from all over California and Nevada areas.  We also hold a cultural event at William S. Hart Park and invite groups from Southern California to perform.”
Through Kalakeke, students will learn various dances from exotic locales including: Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and Guam.  Students in these classes will not only experience full cultural immersion but also build a strong relationship with other classmates – while simultaneously getting exercise!
“A lot of the students who join end up getting their entire families involved,” Gladys said.  “The fathers typically drum, and it soon becomes a family experience!  We even have an award-winning ukulele musician who has performed two years in a row.”
In addition to its extensive course offerings, Kalakeke is heavily involved with the community’s non-profits.  Kalakeke dancers have performed for the City of Santa Clarita Public libraries, as well as other community events:  Relay For Life, Light The Night, Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, Literacy and Arts Festival, Read the Rhythm Summer Reading Program and many other cultural events.
Kalakeke always makes an effort to make dance accessible, as well as fun.  If you want to try out Kalakeke Pacific Island Dance Company, the first class is always free!  The City of Santa Clarita also offers an introductory course at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex on Thursdays.  Come out, have fun, get fit, and learn something new!
For more information, please visit www.scvhula.com, call 661-294-3062 or email kalakekepidc@sbcglobal.net.