I'm not worthy...

I went to the show staged by my hula teacher's troupe last night.

Oh my god.

First, let me point out that this was no student recital; this is a legitimate dance troupe that's renowned in the ethnic dance community and by the Bay Area's sizable Hawaiian population. There are always large crowds at these shows, I'm told.

And this is not just traditional hula. The troupe combines traditional hula with different dance styles and music you'd never expect to hear at a hula show. The leader likes to call it hula mua, or hula moving forward. Progressive hula.




Oh my god. They were so good. And made the most challenging steps look so incredibly easy, for which I have a new appreciation, since I'm a beginner spaz (actually, I'm an experienced spaz. I mean, I'm a spaz in the beginner's class). It was fun to spot the basic steps that I DO know throughout the show.


And I was again blown away by our Kumu Hula (teacher), who not only chanted, which he does in class, and told great stories, which he also does in class, but also sang a most beautiful song. I can't even tell you how thrilled I am to have a small association with someone so creative and talented. I am amazed by what he does.



I felt very lucky. And very inferior, watching these incredibly talented and beautiful dancers.



(It was also fun and funny to run into several people from class, as we're not all used to seeing each other in street clothes. I know there were a couple who didn't recognize me at first, since I was not drenched in sweat with my hair piled atop my head last night...)