44th Kiki Raina Tahiti Fête

The Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete is the longest existing, annually held, Tahitian dance and cultural festival outside of French Polynesia and we are celebrating our 44th anniversary. Come to the event to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Tahiti. Our event features a dance competition with people entering from all ranges and performing to live drums. Island Style food will be also available throughout the weekend as well as Polynesian craft booths straight from Hawaii and the Polynesian diaspora of California.  

Friday’s events begin at 5pm and end at 10pm. They will showcase a dance presentation by the tamari’i (children) as well as the ahuroa, which is an elegant, synchronized dance performed by women of all ages to a sung Tahitian narrative composed in waltz time. The Masters and Grand Masters categories will also be competing. The evening is completed by the Maeva Merced Pageant, where beautiful young men and women contend for the Maeva title and to represent the festivities.   

On Saturday, beginning at 9am, solo dancers will compete in both eliminations and finals, with ages ranging from 4 to as long as they can continue to shimmy. Categories will be in both beginners and professional, with both men and women competing. During lunch, there will be a “Tamari’i Exhibition”, showcasing tiny dancers that are too young to compete, but still love to dance in costume and have fun! Then the Group Drumming competition, composed of the most accomplished Tahitian Drumming groups in our area will take the stage.   

Sunday morning will feature the First Place winners of the professional soloists who will compete for the Overall Vahine (female) and Tane (male) “Best Dancer Awards.” Also, Couples will take the stage to perform a choreographed duet that highlights their colorful regalia as well as dancing ability. The afternoon continues with Tamari’i (children), Amateur and Professional groups demonstrating their skills in the marvelous ‘Ote’a drum dances and the lively Aparima of Tahiti Nui! 

The festivities will be held at Golden Valley High School,

 located at 2121 E. Childs Ave, in Merced, California.