CLEARLAKE — Austin Park in Clearlake was transformed into a tropical paradise Saturday for a fund-raising event held in benefit of area youth. “Spirit of Aloha,” hosted and organized by Alice Reece, brought the beauty of the islands straight to the shores of Clear Lake.
Months filled with countless hours of rehearsal resulted in delightful performances by youth and adult hula dancers decked out in tropical wear. The evening also included a Hawaiian-style dinner served by the troupe of adult dancers, bare-footed and in bikinis and hula skirts.
The show began with the ensemble of youth dancers performing the “Hukilau” at the foot of a giant volcano that appeared to be oozing red, molten lava. The girls finished their fist set on stage with the “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” in which they used bamboo sticks to heighten their performance. The girls later performed a number using the poi balls, which are from the Maori Tribe of New Zealand.
Reece said that the girls spent several months, dedicating many hours a day to learning the dance. She said that while it typically takes a year or more to master the art of the poi balls, they learned them in just a few. “They”ve accomplished quite a bit,” she said. “It”s amazing what these six girls have done in three months.”
Shirley Cooper took the stage prior to the adult dancers, delivering a performance of a spiritual song about God solving all problems, large and small.
The adult dancers” final performance closed the evening. The women used their hands and bodies to illustrate the song, which was about the loss of true love and turmoil that follows.
“I loved it! Alice was very patient with us and even thought the dances seemed intimidating at first, they weren”t that hard to learn,” dancer Melody Staats said. “It was so much fun because the dances also told a story.”
Proceeds from the event will be directed toward programs offered through Lake County Youth Services (LCYS). The center was recently hit with theft and fire. However, YCYS Supervisor Nick Logoteta said the center is still operating. Current hours are noon to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Logoteta hours will change to 2:15 to 5:30 p.m. when school starts.
The center, which operates on Golf Avenue in Clearlake, serves children age 10 to 16. In order to better accommodate the economic restraints of the many in the community, services are being offered at a reduced rate.
“Instead of the $10 a month per child or $20 for two or more children, we changed the prices to $50 for an entire year for one child or $75 for two or more children,” Logoteta said. “But still, here at the youth center we turn no child away for lack of funds. That”s where the community really comes in with support for our sponsorship program.”
The sponsorship program enables the center to provide for all children of the community despite financial limitations of the family.
For more information regarding donations to the program, or other youth center activities, call the center at 994-7281.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
