PORIRUA DANCE FEST: Samoan dancers heat up the floor.

PORIRUA’S Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints included flamenco in its first dance festival at Te Rauparaha Arena last week.

Seven church areas (wards) stretching from Tawa to Paraparaumu came together to share their talents.

The festival showcased more than 200 participants who performed a range of items from kapa haka, rock’n’roll, cha-cha, waltz, flamenco, Cook Island and Samoan dances.

Patosina Betham, who danced the flamenco, said rehearsals to learn the dance were full on but on the night, “it looked awesome”.

Choreographer Terry Isaako said the flamenco was similar to Polynesian dancing and would be easy for anyone to pick up.

Wayne Rodgers, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Porirua Stake, says Te Rauparaha Arena was the perfect venue as the church’s Takapuwahia centre would not have been able to cater to the crowd of 400-plus.