Photo by Rebecca Ip/SCP
The Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma presented “An Exciting Tahitian Experience” with its 16th annual Asia Pacific New Year celebration at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 15. Thousands attended, including dignitaries from Tahiti, along with Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, Congressman Derek Kilmer, Consul General of Japan Masahiro Omura, and keynote speaker Brigadier General John M. Cho from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Performances included dances and demonstrations from Te Fare O Tamatoa School of Tahitian Dancing and Drumming, Tautua Samoa, Evergreen Chinese Academy, Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team, Okinawa Kenjin Kai Taiko, and community organizations from India, Hawaii, Laos, Indonesia, Korea, and more. (end)