OGDEN — As cold as it’s been lately, this event is just what the doctor — or perhaps travel agent — ordered.
At 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, audiences will be transported to a tropical isle with a cultural performance of Polynesian music and dance. This month’s Excellence in the Community concert will feature the band Island Time II, joined by the dance group Lavona’s Polynesia.
“We’re looking forward to it; this will be our first time in the Egyptian Theater,” said band leader/fire knife dance expert Frank Fau’olo. “It’ll be a show for everyone ranging from the keikis — which means little ones or children — up to age 92.”
The show will feature music and dance from Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and a few other islands.
“If things go well with the theater, we might end up doing a Samoan fire knife dance, if they permit it,” Fau’olo said.
However, Fau’olo said theater restrictions may not allow them to use fire indoors.
“We wish we could, but rules are rules,” he said.
Either way, Fau’olo says the musicians and dancers will make for an exciting evening.
The group includes between a dozen and 15 performers, including both dancers and musicians. Many of them have been touring the western U.S. since the 1970s and ‘80s.
“We like to do all sorts of music,” he said. “We’ll do a little Don Ho here, a little Elvis Presley there.”
Island Time originated in Carson, California, and was made up of “all first cousins,” according to Fau’olo. When some of them moved to Utah, Fau’olo and another cousin started a second group — hence the Island Time II moniker.
“It’s mostly all family,” he said of the performing group.
Fau’olo said they’ll perform some “listening music” at the beginning of the concert before involving the dance group.
“It’s just a little touch of Polynesia, and we’ll have people sing along if they know the words,” he said.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and seating begins at 6:30 at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd. As always, admission to these monthly concerts is free.
For more information, call the theater at 801-689-8700.
