_Islands of the Pacific_ Show at Brookhaven Lab Features Polynesian Dancing and Japanese Drumming, April 24

March 30, 2004

Upton, NY - "Islands of the Pacific," a special event to celebrate National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory on Saturday, April 24, at 7 p.m. in Berkner Hall. The public is invited to the event featuring the Aloha Iolani Hawaiian Dance Troupe and Japanese drumming group Ryu Shu Taiko. All visitors to the Laboratory age 16 and over must bring a photo ID.

Founded by Olivia Iolani Meyers, the South Huntington, NY-based Aloha Iolani Hawaiian Dance Troupe has performed at numerous venues on Long Island and at resorts and spas throughout the U.S. The dance troupe will perform Polynesian dancing from Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

In 1998, Gerard Senese founded Ryu Shu Taiko, which is based in the karate studio of Ryu Shu Kan in Farmingville, NY. Ryu Shu Taiko is composed of children and adult karate students who have made their own taiko drums out of Long Island wine barrels. Their performance is an exciting blend of martial arts, folk dance and drumming. Throughout the year, Ryu Shu Taiko performs at local schools and at various Long Island events, as well as throughout the Northeast.

Tickets for the event cost $10 each for adults, and $5 each for children and students who present a student ID. They may be purchased at the door or in advance at the Brookhaven Employees Recreation Association Sales Office on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (631) 344-7988. The Laboratory is located on William Floyd Parkway (County Road 46), one-and-a-half miles north of Exit 68 of the Long Island Expressway.

2004-10126  |  INT/EXT  |  Newsroom