Spotlight Interview with Siosiua Lafitani-Tofua'ipangai of Phoenix Performing Arts

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW
Introducing.......Siosiua Lafitani-Tofua'pangai of Phoenix Performing Arts (PPA)

Siua was introduced to dance whilst at Atenisi University in Tonga in 1988.

Arriving in Australia for further studies, he then performed as a solo Pacific Island dancer here and overseas. In 1997 Siua became
seriously ill and on recovery became wheelchair bound. Dance still
stayed prominent in Siua’s life but hopes of forming a dance school had
begun to fade to the background until 2002 when he met Shiara Astle
and formed PPA.

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Please state your name and field of expertise?
Siosiua Lafitani-Tofua’ipangai.
Social philosophy, social work and Pacific Island
performing arts.

Age: 43

Which country are you from? Kolofo'ou, Tonga

How long have you lived in Australia? 20 years

Who/what have been your main influences in
your chosen career? Professor John Anderson of
Sydney University, Philosopher ‘Inoke Fotu Hu’akau of
Sydney University, Professor Futa Helu of ‘Atenisi University and Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina of Auckland.

In 1985 I was first introduced to dance whilst at ‘Atenisi University’ by Professor Futa Helu. It was a view to seeing performing arts as ‘a whole way of life’, to live it as arts live in us. From then onwards, I began to look at arts from a different perspective. Helu and ‘Atenisi’ were the first social movement to engineer and provide the foundation for my future life in arts“

Helu taught us how to:

appreciate art on its own merit

study arts from a critical standpoint,

articulate arts in practical and theory

separate emotion from the intellectual aspects of arts.

At ‘Atenisi’, I was introduced to the classical world of arts and its theoretical apparatus. Not until I migrated to Canberra in 1988 did I transform from this academic aspiration of arts and materialised to its practical apparatus i.e from theory to practice”.

What has been the highlight of your career? Completion of a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work early in 2008.

Do you have any upcoming events/performances/shows – if so when/where? Tonga at the CIOFF Lo’au Festival between November and December, 2007 (Refer to the front page of www.nuama.org for further information).

What is a typical Phoenix Performing Arts traditional/contemporary dance lesson when teaching? I teach ancient and modern Island dances. Shiara Astle teaches contemporary dances.

"My vision for PPA has been and always will be about the continuing preservation and revival of Traditional Pacific Island arts and to ensure that our children and future generations are taught the importance and relevance of this".

When reciting poetry how do you deliver this to your audience? In a story-telling manner.

Where do you get your inspiration when composing your songs? poetry? From observing and feeling people’s daily experiences with their ups and downs in life.

Do you still perform or teach the tau’olunga faifio? Indeed. Tau’olunga faifio is a mixture of different Island dance movements or hakas into one harmonized piece of dance.

How does being part of the Lo’au Research Society influence PPA? Loau RS has been influential in the arts development of the PPA throughout the years especially by making
fertile and positive comments.

Closing paragraph - anything else you would like to share with
our viewers? Arts or dance in specific always refreshes and heals the dancers’ and people’s personal lives, irrespective of their physical circumstances. In my case, I have been in a wheel-chair for 10 years but my dance life always reminds me that the soul of an artist is infinite with never ending traits. Our body by nature can change from young to old, or able to disabled person, whereas our dance spirits continue to refresh and heal our soul forever in both mortal and immortal worldas in Mathew Arnold’s and Edward Said’s, in the world of ‘best and permanence’.

Top 5 Faves

Whats your favourite saying from Australia or in general? Hi mate

Whats your favourite food? Tongan lu (taro leaves dish)

Whats your favourite music? Her Late Queen Salote’s ‘Hala kuo papa’.

Whats your favourite leisurely thing to do? Writing poems and songs.

Whats your favourite night out thing to do? Drinking kava and singing.

Phoenix Performing Arts range from drama to dance to chanting and to poetry. Anyone who enjoys and wants to learn Pacific Island & other World dances and art forms, contact Siua Tofua'ipangai.

WHERE: Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA

EMAIL: Siosiua@Nuama.org

LINKS: www.Phoenix-Pacific.org | www.Nuama.org

Click here to read Siua's partner, Lucy's story

To nominate an individual or organisation for a ‘Spotlight’ interview, email: Spotlight@LondonFale.org.uk

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