Team Fiji vs. The Beatles: The Hampton Court Show rocked off!
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For a second, you’d believe you were back in Fiji: three traditional thatched Fijian bure stand (surrounded by beautiful orchids and banana plants) next to the water; a bamboo bilibili raft lies waiting for it’s boatcaptain; girls in sulu chamba’s wander around with flowers in their hair and the boys are tuning guitars next to the white, sandy beach. But something isn’t right…
...The village is surrounded by white, plastic party tents, there is no kava (the only thing the organisation would allow was cold tea with milk, can you believe that!) and a fierce wind is blowing trough the open windows. Seconds later an icy rain starts pouring down and macpacs and fleeces appear everywhere. Yes, we are still in the UK, and yes, even after a week of sudden heatwave, the weathergods decided the fun was over.
But still, with Team Fiji around, it didn’t take long before the fun and laughter returned to the village on the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show of 2009. The boys talked to schoolkids about the 7 legends of Fiji, handed out stickers and sunhats (just in case…), they gave press-interviews, took photo’s with the mayor of Kensington, and a taste of warm Fiji kindness was given to everyone that happened to walk by. The Tribewanted Dream Foundation had a little corner in the main bure, including a ingeniously crafted donation box by Helen and the boys.
During the day, secret rehearsals were held for a very special performace later that night, at the charity gala. As the crowd grew, the boys (and girl Ana, who works in the army, but also teaches traditional Meke) were getting all dressed up for the show on behalf of the visit of the Fijian High Commissioner and his wive.
I don’t think I can fully describe the energy of the show – that even silenced the Beatles coverband for a couple of minutes – but all I can say is: Tevita could very well be starring on Broadway next year, Marau and Leavi should make a career out of entertaining and if anyone needs a drummer for their rockband, get in contact with Api.
Comments
Nienke! You have a real talent there, the footage you have posted captures the atmosphere so well and so naturally…you could teach Shine a few things…well done and many thanks for bringing this alive on the website for everyone to see, makes you feel like you were there – oh! I was! Great to meet you and put a name to a face, get someone to give YOU a few seconds in FRONT of the camera.
Keep rollin’team, you are as capable in “our world” as you are in yours, your talent, sincerity, and good will puts so-called modern civilized societies to shame.
Our Vorovoro team is a great tribute to Fiji with their contribution to the Hampton Court Show.
Well done Ben for getting them there and providing such a good trip for them.
fantastic video!!!
leavi at the end is hilarious! “shake that lembolembo baby!”
Brilliant. Not sure I’ve ever seen someone meke in a waterproof coat before. Great to see the guys on Saturday – despite the weather, it felt like being back on Vorovoro again
My dear Stingers! Thank you for you observation. Apparently, that meke with the waterproof coat was a rehearsel prior to the actual opening performance. It was pouring down with rain that afternoon so ‘Lord behold’ that beautiful rain coat was offered by the Vorovoro team ‘Madame Fiona’.
Lovin your work! By all means we don’t ever perform a Meke with a rain-coat on. I might even consider performing a meke with a banana leaf over me…if only….
oh god marau dancing on the raft is too good, along with leavi at the end. amazingg.
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