REGISTRATION

To compete in any category at TATOU FESTIVAL’S Ori Tahiti Competition, you must fill out an application form and submit your fees.  To register, click on a Solo, Duet, or Group Registration tab.  Fill in your information and click ‘Submit’.  Registration will close two days before the competition for soloists.  For Group and Duet, Otea and Aparima categories, music/accompaniment must be received by TATOU FESTIVAL no later than two weeks before the competition, September 20. 

In registering to compete in the Ori Tahiti competition, you are affirming that you are in sufficient physical condition to participate in the highly rigorous and athletic activities, retain your own personal health/liability insurance, and you have received necessary approval from your medical provider if necessary.  You also agree that TATOU FESTIVAL and its constituents, partners, and affiliates, etc. are not responsible for any physical injury that you may incur as a participant in any of our activities, nor will you seek any legal action against the named organization, partners and affiliates, or hold the organization liable.  It also understood that you will not receive any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for your participation. Any photographs, video footage, or other media that include you or your likeness, during your participation, will be the sole property of TATOU FESTIVAL, and may be used at the organizations discretion. 

FEES

We do our best to keep fees as low as possible.  They are necessary to help make this event possible.  Everyone must pre-register. There will be no same day registrations, in-person. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.  Spots are limited, so register early. 

The 2025 registration fees are as follows. 

• *SOLO COMBO (OTE’A & APARIMA): $55

• Solo Ote’a: $30

• Solo Aparima/Mehura: $30

• *GROUP COMBO (OTE’A & APARIMA): $200

• Group Ote’a (minimum 4 dancers): $110

• Group Aparima/Mehura (minimum 4 dancers): $110

CRITERIA

Solo Categories

• Ote’a Vahine, Ote’a Tane, Aparima Vahine, Aparima Tane, Tamari’i Exhibition

  • Dancers must be age 15+ and must have obtained a working knowledge and experience in Ori Tahiti and possess an ability to execute basic Ori Tahiti technical steps. 

  • There will be three age divisions, depending on registration numbers for ote’a vahine solos: (Tiare: 15-25, Tipanie: 26-30, and Aute: 31+).

  • If there aren’t enough dancers in any one division, it will be dissolved.

  Costumes (Winners for Best Costumes will receive custom designs from our sponsors)

• Ote’a

  It is highly recommended that you craft an exquisite costume that is made of natural fibers and materials or fresh foliage.  It should be complete and coherent from head to toe.  All costume elements should remain intact. Be creative so you will stand out.  If you are utilizing a tumu parau, it should reflect the theme you are representing.

  • Vahine

    • Wear a plain (no print) cotton pareu.

    • No hip hei.

    • Adornments (breastplates or lei with foliage and/or flowers, etc) should not block your dancing. 

    • Headdress should compliment the costume.   

  • Tāne 

    • Wear a maro made of natural fibers and/or foliage such as auti, tapa, more, or paeore; or a cotton tihere.

    • Adornments (breastplates or lei with foliage and/or flowers, etc)

    • Headdress should compliment the costume.

• Aparima/Mehura

  • We recommend exquisite costumes that reflect the tumu parau of your dance. Be creative with it.

  • Your costume does not need to be formal wear.

  • It should accentuate your dance and movements

  • All pieces should make a complete outfit from head to toe.

  • Your aparima costume should be completely separate from your ote’a costume, if you are in both categories.

Scoring and Obligatory Steps

• Solo Ote’a Vahine, Solo Ote’a Tane

  • Round 1 Ote’a

    • Each dancer will improvise approximately 90 seconds.

    • The jury will focus on your technical proficiency. 

    • Obligatory Vahine steps: fa’arapu, tifene, ope, varu, tua ne’e, and ta’iri tamau.

    • Obligatory Tane steps: paoti, taparuru, tumami, ou’a ofati, tu’e, and patia.  

  • Final Round Ote’a

    • The top five dancers are selected to compete in the finals. 

    • The jury will score your performance and technique. 

    • Your expression, connection with audience, stage presence, creativity, fluidity, ease of movement, and sumptuousness of your dancing will be scored.

    • The top three scores determine the winners.

• Solo Aparima Vahine, Solo Aparima Tāne

  • Each dancer will perform a minimum of 3.5 minutes, an aparima or mehura of their choice.

    • Judges will focus on your choreography, fluidity of movement, technical proficiency, expression and stage presence, use of space, connection with the audience, and comprehension of your dance’s theme or message.

    • There will be only one round of dancing, and the top three scores will determine the winners.

• OVERALL WINNER SELECTION

  • To win the title "TATOU FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL OVERALL CHAMPION”, dancers with the top scores of all ote’a and aparima divisions combined will have a dance off to determine who will win the overall winner place.

    • Your performance will be the focus of the scoring. 

    • Musicality and dynamics will be an important factor. 

    • Overall energy, flexibility, and captivating stage presence will be considered. 

    • One winner will be chosen. Fa’aitoito!

Group Categories (minimum 4 dancers)

• Ote’a & Aparima/Mehura

  • Groups should be comprised of four dancers minimum.

  • When you are in unison, it should be very clean and precise.

  • Your stage time must be a minimum of five minutes.

  • Remember to send your music track (mp3 format), name of composer, Tahitian lyrics and English translation (aparima), and the description of your dance as soon as possible, no later than two weeks prior to the competition, Sep 20th.

• Costumes

  • Costumes can be made of any material

  • Should be of your own design and creation.

  • A modern or innovative expression of traditional wear using natural elements and fibers is encouraged. Be creative.

  • Your apparel should reflect your concept or theme.

  • It is not necessary for all the costumes to be exactly the same, however, it should be clear that they are related.

• Scoring

  • The winning group and duet will exhibit a strong knowledge of their message shown through their performance, technical mastery, and choreographic composition.

  • Musicality and dynamics are important factors and will both be scored.

  • Additionally, your group will earn points for precision during the unison moments, how well dancers relate to each other onstage, and how successful your group is at engaging the audience.

  • Lastly, your group will be judged on its overall performance and stage presence.

Personal Conduct

It is of utmost importance that we all conduct ourselves in a friendly and professional manner.  For everyone to enjoy the experience to the fullest, we ask everyone be courteous and encourage all competition participants.  Many people travel long distances and make sacrifices to participate.  Let us be examples of our Pacific Island upbringing and create a loving and caring community environment that will supersede our event’s time and date.

Check-In at Venue

At check-in, please bring a photo ID.  Dancers will be directed to the dressing room.  Space is limited, only competing dancers will be allowed in the dressing room.  Your number must be worn visibly at the right hip.  be punctual to make sure you are where you need to be, at the time you need to be there, ensuring a smooth run of events.  If necessary, ask a TATOU FESTIVAL representative to show you ahead of time where you need to be so you will not be left behind.

Dressing Room

Space in the dressing room is limited.  Bring only your costume and have your makeup and hair done. Only competitors will be allowed in the dressing room.  Leave your valuables with someone you trust.  Please arrive to the venue at the designated time. Pay close attention to when you are called to line up.

House Drummers

We will have house drummers that will provide live accompaniment for the solo ote’a competition.  There will be several beats that will be on rotation for solo competitors to dance their improvisation.   

Awards

There will be a ceremony for awards following the competition. Please stay and mingle at the closing reception, participate in interactive activities, have a cocktail, and celebrate each other. Fa’aitoito Tatou!