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BYU Living Legends give special command performance for the Queen of Tonga and other officials

May 09, 2016 12:00 AM
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During their first week on tour, Living Legends visited several Auckland suburbs, as well as Waitomo and Hamilton, New Zealand. Following are a few key events:

  • 3 performances–2 in Auckland & 1 in Hamilton; 2 devotionals; and exchanges with a university, an intermediate school, and a youth protection unit. Also a short performance at the Ronald McDonald House near the Starship Hospital.
  • Pre-performance VIP receptions; a major media event for TV, radio, and print media; and live TV and radio interviews.
  • Visited the Whakatakapokai Care & Protection Residence including an exchange of speeches in Maori and Samoan as well as songs between BYU and the residents.
  • Teresa McNamara, Catholic Diocese of Auckland, said: “It was an amazing show. Very hard to believe that those dancers are students who balance dance practice with their studies. The show was definitely of a standard you would expect from professional dancers. I loved the way that they came out to mix and mingle with the crowd after the show—just awesome.” (from Mormon Newsroom of the Pacific).
  • Visited the Waitomo glowworm caves, viewing the unique worms existing in the darkness of the caves, that glow to attract food for sustenance. Also ascended Mount Eden in Auckland, saw the Auckland waterfront, and visited Bastion Point.
BYU Living Legends on Tour
BYU Living Legends on Tour

Living Legends began its time in New Zealand with a media breakfast, where performers shared some of their dances with journalists from TV, radio, and print media.
BYU Living Legends performance in Henderson Intermediate School
BYU Living Legends performance in Henderson Intermediate School

A visit to the Henderson Intermediate School gave Living Legends members the opportunity to share their song of gratitude, 'Ko Tenei te Wa,' sung in Maori, which was very well received.

It was a busy and rewarding week. Living Legends now moves south for activities in Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Porirua, New Zealand, before continuing to Tonga and Samoa.

Lauren Nabahe, a Living Legends performer, enjoys spending time with students at the Henderson Intermediate School in West Auckland, New Zealand.
BYU Living Legends performance in Henderson Intermediate School
BYU Living Legends performance in Henderson Intermediate School

Greeted upon arrival by students from the Kelston College, Living Legends members were ceremonially welcomed, and then exchanged the hongi in friendship (the pressing of one's nose and forehead to that of another).

S. Gifford Nielsen, a member of the LDS Pacific Area Presidency, thanked Living Legends performers Katie Bair and Celeste Contreras following their first Auckland performance in the Trinity Cathedral Hall.

On their first day in Auckland, New Zealand, Living Legends visited the Fale Pasifika at the University of Auckland, where they performed and spent time meeting students.

This past week Living Legends visited Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Porirua, New Zealand, and also flew to Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Some of the tour highlights include:

  • In Wellington, Living Legends performed for high commissioners from Cuba, Chile, Samoa, and Niue, and for the United States Ambassador to New Zealand.
  • On May 7th a special command performance was held for the Queen of Tonga, government officials, and church community leaders in Tonga. Approximately 830 attended the by-invitation only event.
  • Performing arts students from the Universal College of Life exchanged dancing and singing with Living Legends for two hours on the day of the Palmerston North, New Zealand performance.
  • Sights visited included the Hamilton LDS Temple, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, and the Wellington waterfront in New Zealand, and an open air market, Mapu’a ‘a Vaea blowholes, and a beach-side Mother’s Day dinner buffet in Tonga.
  • An exchange with Bishop Viard College in Wellington further strengthened LDS and Catholic relationships.

The Queen of Tonga greets Kamalu Kaluhiokalani, Mickey Ikahihifo, and Sia Fafita, three members of Living Legends with Tongan roots, as well as Director Janielle Christensen. This was the group's first ever performance in Tonga.

Catholic administrator, Sister Catherine Jones, enjoys speaking with Sam and Karlysue Pereya after their performance at Bishop Viard College in Porirua, New Zealand.
BYU Living Legends perform at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North
BYU Living Legends perform at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North

The beautiful Regent Theatre in Palmerston North was the location for one of Living Legends' five major performances in New Zealand.

In Wellington, Living Legends members visited the Niue High Commission for a special reception with high commissioners and ambassadors from several countries, including Chile, Cuba, and Samoa.

Upon arrival at the international airport in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, Director Janielle Christensen was interviewed by the local television station.

Sia Fafita, a Tongan member of Living Legends, concluded the special May 7 performance for the Queen of Tonga with a special Tongan dance just for Her Majesty.

Source: Brigham Young University Performing Arts Management Encore

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