Thursday, February 8:
Okareka Dance Company.  This all-female work draws strength from traditional Māori culture to illustrate a tapestry of dance, theatre, and film.  Ancient practices of karakia (prayer), waiata (song), and Māori mythology are weft throughout the performance to enhance cultural connections from Aotearoa/New Zealand to the rest of the world. Formed ten years ago, Okareka was established to fuse contemporary dance with indigenous Māori themes and other genres to create authentic, diverse works. They have become one of New Zealand’s most sought after and prolific dance companies. Through choreography, set design, and costume, the company delivers productions that bind culture with dance in a contemporary context, through evocative, beautiful dance works that tell bold, spiritual stories of and from New Zealand.  Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, One Cameron Way, Kahului.  7:30 p.m.  For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit http://mauiarts.org/.