Tau Dance Theater kicking off 2002 season

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"Men Dancing," a Tau Dance Theater production, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. March 10 at the Hawai'i Theatre.

The concert kicks off Tau Dance Theater's 2002 season and is the third installment of the "Men Dancing" series, built around the idea of utilizing and presenting talents of top professional male performers who live, work, or have roots in the islands.

The performance is loosely based on a tradition started by dance pioneer Ted Shawn.

Besides members of the Tau company, Peter Rockford Espiritu, director, has assembled a cast that includes Austin Hartel, director of the Dalton-Hartel Dance company of New York; the men of Halau O Kekuhi, led by kumu hula Pua Kanaka'ole Kanehele and Nalani Kanaka'ole; Andrew Sakaguchi; the men of 24/VII DanceForce, led by Marcelo Pacleb; Ryan Sabado; Derek Daniels; the men of Halau Hula Ke Kai O Kahiki, led by kumu hula O'Brian Eselu; Sami L.A. Akuna; and Ben Arcangel.

The music of Kawai Cockett will be featured; Makana will provide music for a number by Espiritu.

Tickets: $28, $23, $18. Reservations: 528-0506.