I take hula and Polynesian dance lessons from Kumu Simone of Manea Porinesia in Aurora, Colorado. Kumu Simone has the Aloha Spirit running richly through her Brazillian veins. There are four of us, Manea Moms, and I have been taking lessons from Kumu Simone since November 2008. Wednesday evenings find me at Kumu Simone's basement, sweating like a race horse, drinking 24 oz. of water, aching muscles, and wondering why Kumu Simone hates me.
I took hula and Polynesian dance lessons as a small child. I don't remember what ages I took lessons, or for how long(maybe five years); neither does my mother, as this would have been about 40 years ago. Having taken lessons as a child makes lessons now a little easier. Marginally, easier as these old hips scream at me every week. Each week, my hips scream a little less, but an old knee injury has resurfaced, not good.
Tonight, Kumu Simone dropped a bombshell on us Manea Moms. She announced that she would like us to perform at the Parker Festival on 13 June 2009. The room was deathly still, I think we were all shell shocked. I know I don't feel ready, but Kumu Simone is a hard task master. If she didn't think we would be ready, she wouldn't have us performing so soon. We knew we would be performing in July at the Dragon Boat Festival, but now we are performing a whole month sooner.
What this means to us, is that the lessons will get harder and probably go even longer. I no longer glance at the clock; Kumu Simone simply makes us work harder. I am scared silly, but I know the show must go on. Come 13 June 2009, we will smile, we will dance, and we will shine as Manea Moms in our debut show at Parker Festival.
