Today was the final day of the ASB Polyfest at Manukau Bowl in Auckland.
After a first day of dubious weather, followed by yesterday’s torrential downpours, today’s sunshine and warmth made it an ideal outing. Our director, Louise Tu’u, wrote her very first play, “Le Tauvaga/The Competition” about the Polyfest 21 years ago so creatively, it was a lovely way to revisit this highly anticipated festival.
She headed straight to the Samoan stage where the final co-ed schools were performing. It was a nostalgia trip and a breath of fresh air, seeing the pese o le aso (song of the day) used to express contemporary issues for Pasifika youth in Aotearoa.
Unbeknownst to Louise, her alma mater, Auckland Girls Grammar, whose intense competitive spirit, especially for the Samoan Competitive Group, had formed a commemorative 50 year anniversary group and performance to close the Samoan Stage. Here they are, doing the ulufale/entrance song.
Times have changed with much more high profile branding, more food outlets and of course, a bigger venue.
Malo le taumafai to the organisers for such a stellar festival! #asbpolyfest
We Should Practice 