Max & Kaure in Alotau: The cocktail affair of the month

It was the perfect evening. Along the beach front, the torches were lit, the decorations were up, the food was prepared, the D J was playing down the tunes, all was set for the cocktail affair of the month. Friday 1st June 2007, Alotau Enterprise (Alotau Supermarket/Family Store/Hard Ware) celebrated it's 25th Anniversary at Wanigili Centre. 300 people flocked to our venue, the majority of the guests were management and staff of AE and the rest were visitors from out of town.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted at the main foyer by a line of Trobriand Islanders in traditional dress. The auditorium was a kaleidoscope of colours with people decked out in pacific island shirts and dresses, grass skirts even saris and of course cocktail dresses. I’d never seen so many glamorous people at Wanigili! Thankfully,the rain had disappeared, replaced by an air of excitement and anticipation as the crowd warmed up with the beers and wines while waiting for the evening program to unfold.

Some of the guests arriving at the function.

Maxine behind the scenes.

Some of the delicious nibblies prepared on the night.
The spring rolls were delicious!

The Kiriwina dancers and Alotau Enterprise
Staff waiting to meet guests.

First on the agenda was the traditional Chinese Lion Dancing. This was a spectacular show performed by a troup of Moresby-based Chinese dancers. The two lions danced, jumped and rolled to the beat of a drums. It was my first time (and Kaure’s) to see Lion Dancing up close. The costumes were striking and the dancers extremely well co-ordinated especially with two dancers per lion. The highlight was when the lions moved onto the board walk and danced beneath the fire crackers-pretty daring stuff!.These went off with such a loud bang a lot of people freaked out (myself included!). I swear my ear drums popped! I think a few people probably shat themselves! I recall one concerned guest screaming at us to “ PUT THE BLINDS UP! THE BUILDING’S GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE!!”.Nothing of the sort happened of course!(As if we’d let that happen!)

The lions danced to the drums and not sure what the

other instrument is, a tambourine-type-thingy?

Close up of the lion-beautiful colours!

Lions doing some tricky stunts.

The fire crackers were the highlight of the night!

Alotau Enterprise General Manager-Tim Seeto

(in the middle with brown shirt) and family and

the lion dancers from Moresby.

Following the dancing, the speeches took place and then it was the Trobriand Islanders turn to steal the show. The dancers came out in full costume, singing and dancing. They had travelled all the way from Kiriwina (Trobriand Islands to Alotau is about 18 hours by boat) to provide some local entertainment especially for the function .

"Kuma Besa Tapioca!!"

The beautiful dancers in their traditional finery

I don't think I've ever seen a Trobs dancer with

saggy boobs!(hmm probably because they only get the young ones to dance!)

Afterwards, the cake was cut, the music was turned up and then it was time to party, and party we did!The Trobriand Islanders wasted no time in grabbing a partner and hitting the dance floor. They seemed to respond naturally to whatever music was playing. Venga Boys was certainly a hot favourite!Normally I can't stand techno but that night I was jumping up and down and grooving with the rest of them whether it was to Venga Boys or Tolai Rock!??? Strongpela Samatex acting Tolai!I didn't even have one drop of alcohol all night!What can I say,

we all got into the spirit of the night and even the Filipinos were going off!We all had a ball, so much so that despite dancing bare foot all night, my feet were killing the next day!