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Kids Class: Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance

Keiki Introduction to Hula & Tahitian Dance

Session Date & Time

Feb 23 2027 (Tuesday)

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Lobby

Want to volunteer or trade work for entry? Volunteer with us

About This Event

Introduce your keiki (children) to the vibrant stories, rhythms, and spirit of Polynesia! Taught by the renowned Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian Dance, this joyful weekly class offers young dancers a nurturing foundation in both Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Dance ('Ori Tahiti).

Founded in Santa Cruz in 1997 by master teacher Kumu Lorraine Kalei Kinnamon and continued by Charmaine Moniz, Te Hau Nui shares Polynesian culture through motion, music, and the foundational values of aloha (love and kindness), mālama (caring for one another), and hō‘ihi (respect).

What Dancers Learn:

  • Hawaiian Hula Fundamentals: Essential footwork (kāholo, hela, ‘uwehe, ‘ami) and expressive hand storytelling gestures representing the ocean, mountains, rain, flowers, and ancestral legends.
  • Tahitian Drumming & Rhythm: High-energy basic Tahitian steps (tāiri tamau, fa'arapu) aligned with traditional Polynesian drumming cadences.
  • Cultural Language & Protocol: Chants (oli), song lyrics (mele), basic Hawaiian/Tahitian vocabulary, and reverence for traditional dance arts.
  • Movement & Poise: Coordination, rhythm, spatial awareness, and confidence in a collaborative group setting.

Class Details:

  • When: Tuesdays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: The 418 Project Lobby Dance Floor (155 River St S, Santa Cruz, CA)
  • Who: Open to all keiki/youth beginners and continuing young dancers (ages ~4–11).
  • What to Wear: Comfortable clothing that allows movement (t-shirt and leggings or shorts). A floral sarong (pā‘ū or pāreu) is welcome but not required. Barefoot or dance socks.

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.
We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.
To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.
As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.
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Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms
Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage
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