PARADISE OF SAMOA TO OPEN ALOHA FARMERS MARKET

Serving Aloha, Reedville, Cooper Mountain and Beyond! Paradise of Samoa Dance Troupe Paradise of Samoa Performs Market Opening Day  Thursday May 3rd 2018 3-7pm The market is back for its third year, running every Thursday from 3-7 pm May through September -- and we start in TWO WEEKSon May 3rd!! We are in our brand NEW LOCATION in front of the Bales Market Place Center at SW Kinnaman and SW Farmington Roads in Aloha. Cooking Demonstration at 4:30-5...Dance at 6:00 ! Opening Day will include Paradise of Samoa Dance Troupe performing Polynesian dance and hosting a cooking demonstration from 4:30-6:30 pm -- brought to us by a grant from the Washington County Cultural Coalition! Portland Metro Records will return to provide entertainment at our Main Stage, too -- presented this year by Karen Bolin and Edward Jones. For a list of 2018 market performances and fun events we have planned so far for this season, visit the Market Events page of our website.  Follow, "like" and share on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! We can't wait to see you at the market in less than two weeks!! Thanks for being a part of our growing market community, Kody Harris, Market Manager & the ACFM Board P.S. We need your help to make our market great! Are you interested in volunteering at the market one day this summer? Shifts are only a few hours long and it's a fun way to connect with everyone in our community. Click here to sign up!

Thank You to the Estate of Captain Henry R. Razmus, U.S. Marine Corps !!!!

The family of  Henry R. Razmus, Captain, United States Marine Corps. contacted Paradise of Samoa and shared that Captain Razmus, a long time Salem businessman, had served with honor in Samoa  and Micronesia during WWII.  During those years in the 1940's Captain Razmus had been ceremonially gifted three Samoan tapa cloths (circa 1900-1940)  and kiki (ceremonial skirts). He passed away in 2007.

 These were gifted to the Paradise of Samoa in order that the public has an opportunity to view them.  The tapa and skirts have huge historical significance and are rarely available to be seen now except at the Smithsonian and Bishop Museums. 

Paradise of Samoa is honored to ensure that the people of Oregon will be able to view these beautiful cultural items at the World Beat Samoan Cultural Booth June 30, and we thank the Robinson family for their support of Polynesian Culture on behalf of Captain Henry R. Razmus.

Thank you to Della Shane of Renton, Washington for her contribution to Paradise of Samoa of $100 !

PARADISE OF SAMOA ANNOUNCES EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR THEIR DANCERS GRADUATING IN 2018 !!!

The Board of Directors of Paradise of Samoa is making a $500. scholarship available to a chosen Paradise of Samoa dancer who is graduating in 2018 and is accepted at a college, university, or accredited technical school.  The dancer must be in good standing with the troupe, have a B average, and must submit an essay answering the question :

"What is culture, and how has culture made an impact on my life ?"

For full application guidelines, see the Paradise of Samoa Dance Troupe Facebook page.

MAHALO AND FA'AFETAI TO OUR GRANTORS AND SPONSORS, 2018

Thank you to our Grantors and Partners in supporting our efforts to bring awareness of  Polynesian Culture, Dance, and Music to Oregon for the 2017 season, and again in 2018 for operations costs !!!! 

Mahalo and Fa'afetai Tele Lava !!!

The Oregon Community Foundation Small Culture Grants Program (2017 and 2018)

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund  2017 Small Grants Program

The The Oregon Arts Commission FY2018 Small Operating Grant

The Marion County Cultural Development Corporation for their operations grant in development of our presentation on the Pacific Islands Cultures as a learning tool for Oregon and Marion County !!!

These organizations  help to make Oregon a rich and  culturally diverse place to live and visit, and theirgrants are essential in our operational costs for Paradise of Samoa to bring Polynesian Dance, Culture, and Music to the community.

We also wish to thank our partners , including Hood's Martial Arts Academy , who provide a wonderfully updated facility to practice during the wet Oregon pre season months !

for their wonderful help to us for rehearsal at their fabulous Salem facility,

the Salem Multiculture Institute and World Beat  for their never ending support,

the Asian Pacific American Network , APANO,

 for their work in social justice for all Pacific Islanders !

And thanks to F.E. "Mac" Michalski and Kathleen Michalski for their donation of the huge shell lei collection !!!!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LUAU NOW !!!!!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO COME TO OUR 11TH ANNUAL  LUAU 
                                         AND CELEBRATE OUR DANCERS !!!!!

People in the community ask how can Paradise of Samoa keep running and viable when there is no tuition, fees, or costume expenses for participants.  First, it is the parents and families of the dancers  and their commitment, secondly, it is the dedication of the dancers themselves, and thirdly, it is financially up to our sponsors, customers, grantors, and the LUAU, which is our major fundraiser of the year.

This year, 2018, our 11th Paradise of Samoa Lua'u, we have partnered with the Keizer Rotary to become part of the Concert in the Park Series !!!

Come on September 1st, 2018  at 4:30 and become a part of this joy ......the Paradise of Samoa.....

Freddie Meyers Helps Paradise of Samoa !!! Please Consider Donating !

Thank you to Fred Meyer's for including Paradise of Samoa in their Community Rewards Program !!! Just register  your Rewards Card and link Paradise of Samoa, and we will receive quarterly benefits on your shopping at no cost to you.  This is only available to non-profits such as ours.
https://www.fredmeyer.com/topic/community-rewards-4

We are already registered !

As you know, Paradise of Samoa Does not charge its dancers and we actually provide a stipend after our major fundraiser in September each year.

You may be assured that your donation by Pay Pal or check will be going directly to the operations of Paradise of Samoa and promoting Polynesian Dance.