October 16-18, 2026

Five Angels Theater NYC

789 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

TATOU FESTIVAL

Celebrate with us

TATOU (tah-tow) FESTIVAL, created by Te Ao Mana, is NYC’s Moana Nui (Pacific Island) festival. An international cultural gathering created by and for Pacific Islanders, where all are welcome to respectfully celebrate and immerse in our rich traditions and experience artistic innovation. Our gathering includes captivating performances, a selection of master classes, and cultural workshops, an Ori Tahiti (Tahitian Dance) competition, a fashion exhibition, curated film screenings, and a Pacific Island marketplace.

Haere Mai, join us for this highly anticipated event!

Making history together!

  • Group of dancers performing with white fabric on stage under green lighting.

    Engaging Performances

    Highlighting accomplished Pacific Islander performers in traditional and contemporary forms with trailblazing creations, paving the way for the next wave of Moana Nui creatives.

  • Group of dancers in black costumes performing on stage with dramatic lighting.

    Ori Tahiti Competition

    Experience the energy of Tahitian dance as dancers from around the globe showcase their skills and talents competing for top placement and coveted prizes in solo, duet, and group categories.

  • Skilled Artisans

    Witness some of the rarest living traditional arts practices from the South Pacific in person that are unique to the islands and you will only find at Tatou in NYC.

  • Film Screenings

    Dive into the world of Ta’ata Moana Nui (Pacific Islanders) through up close cinematic creations addressing crucial cultural topics, and hearing from creators and filmmakers.

  • Protocols & Ceremony

    Moanan ceremonies are very rare in NYC. Attendees will gain insight into deeper ancestral practices at the root of our heritage.

  • Woman in green floral off-shoulder dress with shell necklace, outdoors with greenery.

    Pacific Island Market

    In New York City, this is the place to find authentic Polynesian keepsakes, gifts, and rare works by our amazing artists and artisans.

  • Group of dancers practicing in a theater with concrete walls and overhead lighting.

    Master Classes

    For more in depth training, attendees hone their technique, learn complex choreography, enhance their expressiveness, and connection to cultural practices.

  • Theater workshop with participants in a discussion circle, in a room with green decorated curtains.

    Moana Nui Workshops

    Gain first hand experience from experts in our community who have fine tuned their craft. Siva Samoa, Taualunga, Vivo, Weaving, Ukulele, Drumming, etc.

Event Schedule

Schedule is subject to change, please refer back often to get the most updated information.

Friday, October 16, 2026

12:00 PM

  • Artisan Market Opens

  • Silent Auctions Begin

  • Patterns of the Pacific Art Exhibit

1:30 PM

  • Ori Tahiti Creation Master Class with competition Jury: Aruho’ia, Kehaulani, and Poerani

4:00 PM

  • Vivo Workshop with Aremistic

6:00 PM

  • Opening Ceremony

6:30 PM

  • Performance Showcase

7:30 PM

  • Fashion Exhibition

8:00 PM

  • Mix & Mingle in Lobby

Saturday, October 17, 2026

10:30 AM

  • Artisan Market Opens

  • Silent Auction Continues

  • Patterns of the Pacific Art Exhibit

11:00 AM

  • Ori Tahiti Competition Begins

    • Categories Include:

    • Solo: Ote’a Vahine Tane & Vahine

    • Solo Aparima Tane & Vahine

    • Duet Ote’a & Aparima

    • Group Ote’a & Aparima

6:00 PM

  • Cocktails in the Lobby

6:30 PM

  • Performances Showcase

7:30 PM

  • Ori Tahiti Competition Awards Ceremony

8:30 PM

  • Pa’ina & Dance

Sunday, October 18, 2026

10:00 AM

  • Artisan Market Opens

  • Patterns of the Pacific Art Exhibit

  • Moana Nui Workshops

    • Maori Haka, Waiata, Poi

    • Hula, Oli

2:00 PM

  • Film Screenings

  • Q & A, Wala’au with Artists

4:30 PM

  • Closing

Creating this epic community event requires a lot of work, energy, organizational skill, flexibility, patience, people, good communication, and love. We are so thankful for our committee, their dedication, and determination. Our team logs countless volunteer hours to program this fantastic, memorable event. TATOU FESTIVAL is anxiously anticipated each year and we are thrilled to see it grow continually. We work tirelessly to bring together the best of Moana Nui here in New York City.

Our Hui

Anthony

Production

Kaina

Artist Relations

Emily

Event Staff

Chad

Photography

Mariette

Engagement

Kekaulana

Design/Marketing

Madilyne

Social Media

Join Our Team

New York City’s first

Pacific Island Festival

Tatou Festival, formerly Heiva Pasifika NYC, created by Te Ao Mana, is NYC’s first and foremost Ta’ata Moana Nui (Pacific Islander) festival and Ori Tahiti competition.  Over 40,000 Pacific Islanders live in New York, yet investment in this community is overlooked.  Some of the values that underlie Polynesian cultures, mana, family, community, and reverence for and a connection to nature, a commitment to protecting our natural resources, can be celebrated by everyone. 

The festival will connect New York City and surrounding areas to Moana Nui artisans and crafters, drummers, musicians, dancers, orators, performance troupes, cultural specialists, creators and professionals.  Polynesians are essentially an untapped wellspring of living knowledge.  It is our desire to further enrich the city’s cultural landscape with our unique event.  People of all ages are welcome. The focus is on creating an immersive experience and allowing participants to learn about a culture typically not represented on a large scale in NYC.

Surfacing the values and spiritual foundation of Polynesian Culture will enrich the fabric of New York City. Participants will walk away with a deeper sense of self and their connection to nature, their surroundings, and the community in which they live. They will gain a vivid working knowledge of the featured cultures. A stronger sense of community will be formed as festival attendees engage in the planned activities. Members of the Polynesian community will gain a larger sense of identity and visibility in New York City and be afforded opportunities to expand their creativity.

“I felt seen. As soon as I walked in, I saw people that looked like me in New York City. I was overcome with pride and joy. I found a community, and felt so welcomed by everyone.”

“It was so regal!”

“It was polished and merged the spirit of NYC with class. They are making history with this annual event, an attendance must!”

“This is going to be huge! … the president of Tahiti/French Polynesia is here…look at all the famous dancers who are here.”

“We finally have a home here in NYC where we can all come together!”

[In tears] “I never thought I would be able to see and feel the drums from my home here in New york City”.

“Of all the heivas i’ve been to, this has been the most smooth running and organized.”

“The evolution of Te Ao Mana’s performance has been amazing to watch over the years. This venue, with projections during the walking rocks performance created a seamless, integrated, cohesive performance experience.”