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| DRAGON BOAT RACE 2003 Dragon Boat Festival is an annual pan-Asian sport and cultural event, featuring Dragon Boat Races, Asian Entertainment Stage, and an Asian Marketplace with food and gifts from local community vendors. It was launched in 2001 with only 16 race teams and a few thousand spectators, but the apparent uniqueness of this sport intrigued many Coloradans. In 2002, the number of teams doubled to 32, and tripled that number to 48 this year. Organizers are predicting an increase of race teams to 61 in 2004. This year's festival drew an unprecedented crowd of over 50,000 spectators, participants, cheerers, and sports fanatics, and will continue to grow each year. The bustling marketplace was stuffed with a wide variety of authentic gift items and collectibles for people looking for souvenirs. Food vendors displayed their pride in serving their own ethnic cuisines. PPFC aims to be back next year with more to sell and more island variety of goods to offer. The popular Jr. Wahines enthralled the crowd with their exquisitely choreographed execution of the "These Islands", a masterpiece that touched the imagination of their audience. The beating of the drums, the clashing of the gongs, and the cheers of those who came to rally behind their teams revved up the festival with an electric, vibrant and lively feel. The festival offered a unique opportunity for family members, friends, associates, and communities to enjoy a day of fun. The most exciting component of the Dragon Boat Festival is the dragon boat race. This ancient sport of boat racing has finally found its way to our own backyard and is here to stay. It involves physical fitness, synchronized paddling, and ability to employ flawless techniques to win. Arms, legs, backs, (and yes - bottoms) are involved in propelling the dragon boats over the water. Dragon boat racing is more than just a competition. Teams participate to build camaraderie, meet new friends, and feel good about it - win or lose. The social aspects of the race are the key to its success and longevity. Imua Polynesia consistently held its place in the finals, defeating the two-time winner, the Z Serpent on the fifth round which amazingly made more headlines than anticipated. Making it to the finals with only six-tenths of a second behind the two other finalists has created a landmark in PPFC's history. Imua Polynesia is definitely a team to watch for 2004. POLYNESIAN LUAU 2003 The jam packed Gateway to the Rockies Event Center housed a sold out crowd of spectators that came to witness the most advertised Polynesian event of the year. Tickets were sold out a month in advance and PPFC's phone line was inundated with calls from people wanting to buy tickets. In Colorado, it's a treat to see special performers such as the Sumeo Vahine Alii and the Jr. Wahines collaborating for the first time. The Sumeo's are well known for their live music, daring fire acrobats, and talented beautiful female dancers. The Jr. Wahines is a group of exuberant children professionally trained to demonstrate the best of six island cultures to perfection. Both groups presented a well-applauded repertoire, a concerted effort of finesse, and instilled an unforgettable experience of thrill and excitement that gave their audience a reason to come back for next year's event. Topping the list of distinguished guests were State Director Richard Poole; Mayor Paul Tauer and Kate Tauer; Councilor Ed Tauer, Candidate for Mayor of Aurora; Sum Nguyen, Candidate for Councilor At Large for the city of Aurora, and Steering Committee Chairman of the Aurora Asian Pacific Community Partnership; Frankie Anderson, Secretary of AAPCP, and Nestor and Elnora Mercado, Editor and Managing Editor of the Asian Pacific American Times. The images, histories, traditions, and hospitality of the Polynesian cultures came alive at the Gateway to the Rockies Event Center at Fitzsimons on Sept. 20th, 2003, hosted by PPFC in fulfillment of its mission to share the Polynesian cultures with the public. The island of Tahiti began the revue with the Ote'a depicting the volcanic birth of the island paradise, the joy of the Tahitians and a welcome to the stars. New Zealand followed with native warrior dances using kalaau (sticks) and poi balls. Tongan and Cook Island dances were presented which evidently became the novelty of the evening. The enchantment continued with the dances of Hawaii from ancient and traditional hula to contemporary dances with implements. Adding a dramatic accent to an unforgettable evening, the world-renowned Sumeo brothers, presented an invigorating and riveting fire knife spectacle to a spellbound audience. The evening was concluded with an audience participation, and bidding the crowd a heartfelt farewell. Equipped with the confidence to schedule another event for next year, PPFC embraces the opportunity to share our exciting culture and expand our community. Prepare for two Polynesian Luaus in 2004! A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT . . . The echo of cheers from the last Dragon Boat Race still lingers in my mind. It was a thrilling day of fun and hard work. Participating in all three aspects of the Dragon Boat Festival has now become one of our biggest events each year. Being in an event of this magnitude, draw a bigger scale of planning. This is a wake up call for all our members to volunteer their time in this effort. We are all in this together and I urge everybody to take pride in representing our foundation in any way they can. Volunteerism is the key to a successful event. Why not start getting to know some of your fellow members at the next potluck meeting. Witness first hand the talent and skill present within our organization! Then take the next step by bringing one of your closest friends to attend an event, so they, too, can share in the spirit. Soon you'll both want to attend the next open board meeting to contribute your thoughts towards strengthening our community and furthering our mission. From there volunteer to assist at one of our public events - taking registrations for a hula workshop or perhaps demonstrating at a lei-making exhibit! Your contributions, in even the smallest ways, make the world of difference in our organization. And the opportunities exist around every corner! Make the Polynesia-Pacifica Foundation of Colorado your organization! With your help and dedication, we will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years. Get excited, get involved, and spread the spirit of aloha! I would like to thank all our board members and volunteers who helped us in our events. I want to emphasize my thanks to John Kuiee, newly elected Board Member representing the Island of Hawaii, and Frank Torres, who demonstrated their willingness to donate a helping hand in cheering, feeding, and looking after our racers' needs during the competition. My heartfelt thanks to Barbara Farber, Ruthie Shimabukuro, and Danny Sarmiento, in their efforts to put together a topnotch team that represented our organization. Last but not least, I would like to thank all our racers for their participation, and of course, their families, and friends who rallied behind them. PPFC Awarded Grant Funding For 2004 The SCFD County Cultural Council officially announced in their letter dated September 1212th, 2003, that PPFC will receive a total of $4,258 from three counties to cover a portion of operating costs and proposed event projects to be expended in 2004. A large portion of this amount will allow PPFC to pay artists and participants as a reward for quality performance, not to mention, planning, research, promotions, logistics, and other miscellaneous expenses. PPFC is grateful to receive all grant monies for assistance in pursuing our goals and mission. Polynesian Events & Workshops 2004 The PPFC's Board of Directors approved two Polynesian events in 2004. May 1st luau will be held at the Northglenn Recreation Center Auditorium Theatre on 120th and I 25 North. This luau commemorates one of the most revered traditions of the Hawaiian people - the Hawaiian Lei Day! It is also a fundraising event and a kick-off party celebration for Imua Polynesia, PPFC's winning team. The second luau is scheduled at the Radisson Hotel on Parker Ave and I 225 in Aurora on Sept 25th in a nice and comfortable banquet area that accommodates more than 600 people. There will be a galore of fresh leis for sale at both luaus. An Imu (roasting a pig in a pit) and Hula Workshops are scheduled for Spring 2004. Prices for luau tickets, Imu and Hula workshop fees and dates have not yet been determined, but reservations are now being accepted. PPFC is also proud to announce that Polynesian chefs and caterers are now available to service any of your functions. For reservations and inquiries, please call (303) 337-9165. WELCOME New Members: John Kuiee, Dalyce Montgomery, Melia Bohlin, Flora Wright, Juanita Lilley, Ada Elkahi Beram, Eric Anderson, Zane Crapo, Dennis & Shawn Gatchalian, Tami Harrison, Benjamin Luevano, Orlinda Marquez, Chris & Michelle Miller, Mereula Naqica, Vimesh Patel, Adam & Alissa Pfab, Francisco & Catherine Prado, Talieka Shears, Travis Siroky, Charles Orsin Williams. Renewals: April Pluss, Michelle Wilson, Mei Newman, Joanne Rosenbaum, Danny and Jane Sarmiento, Chuck and Barbara Farber, David & Helen Simms, Jerry and Angie Agenar, Marlon Azada, Jeff Pritchard and Ruthie Shimabukuro. Corporate Member - the Jr. Wahines. |