Ministry of Culture’s most entertaining annual dance competition will be held tomorrow night featuring 26 dancers on stage at Rehab Rarotonga Nightclub.

The dancers will perform in the Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Culture) Te Mire Ura event in four categories: Expats – featuring expatriate workers, Experts – 30 – 45 years, Masters – 46 – 59 years and the wonderful, graceful Golden Oldies – 60 years and over.

Last year, Tupa Tupa and Uirangi Bishop were crowned the male and female champions in the Experts category, both proving they still had the skills and talent to sweep up the top prize after an 11-year absence from the stage.

Tupa will be hitting the stage again in a bid to defend his title.

“At this stage of my life I think I have more appreciation for our culture and heritage, and I love to embrace our values and our performing arts,” said Tupa.

“I love the creativity part of it and you can actually express yourself, because you’re in charge of your own movements. You get to connect with creative minds and to people who have a wealth of knowledge about culture, and I’m very grateful to them.”

Tupa would like to encourage more people to participate in the annual Te Mire Ura.

“It’s a good experience, you gain a lot from the event like building up confidence and being more exposed, and other doors will open up for you. You become more motivated to branch out into other things and you get to learn more about yourself, about who you are.”

Although he shouldn’t be feeling nervous leading up to the night, Tupa says it’s natural to feel that way before getting on stage.

“Everything is going live now and you’re aware the cameras are there filming from the side, the back, from anywhere…”

He would like to congratulate all the dancers from the Juniors, Intermediate and Seniors and wish all the dancers featuring tomorrow night “all the best and to have fun”.

The VIP tables at the event have sold out, however there are general admission tickets available from Rehab and the National Library.