Скачать с ютуб Master Fire Knife Dancer Falaniko Vitale performing the Siva Afi в хорошем качестве

Master Fire Knife Dancer Falaniko Vitale performing the Siva Afi

(Master Fire Knife Dancer Falaniko Vitale performing the Siva Afi at Tihatis South Sea Spectacular Show) From Lau’li’i, American Samoa, a fire knife dancer was born: Falaniko Mulitauaopele Vitale also known as “Niko”. “Inspiration. This single word best describes the feeling that overtook Me the first time I saw Freddie Letulis fire knife dance.” In 1962, when Falaniko was 15, Freddie Letuli performed at his school assembly in American Samoa. “I was in awe as he twirled his flaming knives. His performance was like an energy field, and I extracted from it the key element: Courage.” His performance left him with such an impression that he vowed to be just like Freddie Letuli. That moment set the course of his life and career. Hence, He continued to spin the knives and walked, breathed and lived by “the Fire knife”. Two years after that event, after hours and hours of practice, Niko developed the skill and confidence to perform publicly. In 1966, He moved to Honolulu. His motivation was still to be like Freddie Letuli, and that must have helped, because He was hired by a Polynesian production company directed by Kealoha Kalama and then his career soared. Within four years, He had firmly established Himself in Waikiki. He worked with entertainers Danny Kaleikini and Don Ho, and in 1970 he formed a partnership with the famous Hawailan kama'aina, Zulu, a singer and showman who also played the part of Kono in the Hawaii Five-O television series. For a short period, he established Falaniko's Polynesian Revue and had taken a show to San Francisco and for the next few vears He shared his talent with young men and boys who wanted to learn the art of fire knife dancing. The highlight of his career had taken off and it shifted him into entering the most Spectacular Show, Tihatis Production, locally owned by Jack “Tihati” and Cha Thompson. For 25 years from the Moana Hotel to the Princess Kaiulani, countless Conventions and performing amongst the greatest Musicians, dancers and singers from the South Pacific, Niko had many more opportunities to travel the world with colleagues who became family. Because of this dance, He was able to travel the world. Niko performed on a 16-city tour of Germany, as well as in other European countries, Japan, the Orient and the South Pacific. He performed the fire knife dance on various movie sets and TV shows. In 1980. In fact, Niko was dubbed "the world's greatest fire knife dancer" on The Mike Douglas Show. He performed before Senators in Washington, D.C., and had the privilege of being the first fire knife dancer to spin the fire knife at the United States Capital in Washington DC. Falaniko had the honor and privilege to dance before Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush (Father and son) and Bill Clinton. He honored to shake their hands after his performances. Before his retirement, Niko spent his last few years of dancing with Steve Laulu’s Encore Production. If not for the unselfish sacrifice that Chief Letuli exercised more than 60 years ago in returning to his homeland, and the inspiration he provided to the young men and women of American Samoa, Niko says, “I would never have had the opportunities that I enjoyed - to go out into the world and have confidence in myself and my talent. I believe that God placed Letuli in my path and afforded me the blessings that still exist in my life today.” To the Honorable Chief Letuli, "although your many good works may not be revealed in this day and age, trust that they are accounted for and held in high esteem in heaven." Today, Falaniko is spending time with his Wife Roberta Lealofi, Children and Grand Children, traveling to and from Samoa to Hawaii and abroad. This past year, Falaniko entered the panel of Judges at the PCC after a few years of being away from Honolulu. His encouragement to all dancers, “Be fearless. Dance like a warrior. Siva Samoa. You have already won the battle.”