Music Reviews

Jul 5, 2005 - The Na Lei Hulu dance troupe enchants at the opening of Reno's July Artown Festival

By Jack Neal

Outside of the Hawaiian Islands, an entire evening devoted to hula dancing is usually more than many casual observers prefer to tolerate. Not so with Na Lei Hulu dance troupe, the San Francisco based company of 30 that director and choreographer Patrick Makuakane has inspired to make the hula - in its many variations - a riveting and enchanting dance expression.

Credits for the concert were not available making being specific about who did what in a timely fashion - performances, costumes, lighting, etc. - impractical. The nameless ones, other than Mr. Makuakane, should be pleased to know how much their efforts were appreciated by what appeared to be several thousand people who attended this exceptional Reno Artown opening night concert.

At intermission a member of the audience paid the troupe what was intended to be - and was - a compliment.. "How nice to see ordinary people dance so beautifully." What she meant was that although the company had many fine dancers with the traditional sleek dancer's body, the company also contained many dancers with what seemed like ordinary bodies. Some verge on being heavy. Some are simply thick. What none of them are is ordinary. Each dancer - sleek, heavy or thick - inhabits the persona of grace associated with this elegant South Seas' dancing art form.

Mr. Makuakane prefaced many of the dances with descriptions of what was going to be presented. On a number of occasions he also sang and sometimes played the ukelele in collaboration with the dance. With dances ranging from the traditional to such pop stalwarts as Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," the Na Lei Hulu dancers were graceful and exceptionally charming to watch.

The costumes, simple but elegant, the lighting, simple but affecting, were superseded only by the attractiveness of the dance itself. The Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu Dance Company is nothing less than captivating. What an exhilarating opening for what looks to be another terrific month-long performing and visual arts festival in Northern Nevada's Reno-Sparks metropolitan area.

For Reno is Artown events call 775-322-1538. For Jack Neal's Reno is Artown radio reviews and previews listen to KUNR-FM' s (88.7) "Entertainment Headlines" Fridays at 5:30 p.m.