A young Native American filmmaker, Kymon Greyhorse, who lives in New Mexico, USA, says he is tapping into his Tongan roots, to inspire his next film. He identifies as two-spirit, a term that describes Indigenous people who have both masculine and feminine energy. When he was bullied for his identity, including his Native and Pacific Islander background, he drew strength from his family. His short film “I am Home,” that premiered at Sundance Film Festival in the USA last year, has opened up new opportunities for him.
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Results for Arts & Entertainment
Monday 4 March 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Wednesday 31 January 2024
Utah, USA
A Tongan short film, ‘Lea Tupu’anga Mother Tongue’ was featured at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA. It was selected from thousands of applicants from around the world.
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Monday 29 January 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tongan inspired art piece 'Flare (Oceania)', by John Gerrad is currently on display at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.
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Tuesday 19 December 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Spreading Christmas cheer, the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians, performed lively Christmas carols in the Nuku'alofa, Central Business District, today, 19 December 2023.
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Friday 8 December 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongan creative artist and handicraft maker, Lu'isa Nau, is determined to utilize locally sourced materials, to maintain the authenticity of Tongan craftsmanship, while expressing dismay over the imported counterfeits that local artisans have to compete within the marketplace. Her home-based creative operation in Nuku'alofa was recently awarded at GGGI Grant for her business plan that aligns with sustainable development goals.
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Tuesday 3 October 2023
Brisbane, Australia
Tongan-Australian vocal duo and siblings Vika and Linda Bull were awarded the Artistic Excellence Award of the 2023 Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) ceremony.
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Tuesday 3 October 2023
Sydney, Australia
“Miss Tonga” Elika Bunter was crowned Woman of the World 2023, at the Pageant of the World 2023 competition, held on 30 September, in Sydney, Australia.
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Tuesday 26 September 2023
Sydney, Australia
Tongan hip-hop dance crew, Onion Squad, aim to be the first Tongan representatives at the prestigious World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB) International Street Dance Championships in Sydney this week.
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Friday 28 July 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new book of memories was launched to mark the Tonga High School 75th Diamond Jubilee recently. Called Road to ‘Faa’imata – 75th Anniversary’ the work is a collection of history and stories of ex-students of Tonga High School.
Monday 19 June 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra begins a week-long tour on Tongatapu from today, 19 June, on its first ever visit. Two Tongans in the orchestra, conducting Fellows Anne Filimoehala and Sam Uatahausi, who are training as conductors with the NZSO, will be presenters during the tour.
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Monday 22 May 2023
Los Angeles, California, USA
The American Idol crowned their new champion, Iam Tongi (18) following a staggering performance of his new single, “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
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Tuesday 16 May 2023
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Los Angeles, USA
A Tongan-American singer Iam Tongi (18) made it as one of the Top 3 Finalists for American Idol 2023. After a powerful yet beautiful delivery of the songs, ‘Lava’ and ‘Father and son’ last night, 15 May.
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Wednesday 19 April 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Tongan-Kiwi artist, ‘Ahota’e’iloa Toetu’u (Loa), has installed new artwork in the Tanoa Dateline Hotel ballroom.
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Wednesday 19 April 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Jazz Musicians ‘SOAR’ will be in Tonga from 22-26 April, and will perform a free concert on the evening of 26 April at Digicel Square. The U.S. Embassy organized a “Friendship Tour” in collaboration with American Music Abroad (AMA).
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Wednesday 5 April 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An art exhibition was held at Tanoa International Hotel today, 5 April 2023. The exhibition featured four Tongan Artists to talk about their journey, their lives and the different variations of art that they create. “Art is something you have to be passionate about,” said ngatu artist Luisa Nau.
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Thursday 23 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Red, White & Brass’ a heart-warming Tongan movie that dramatises a true story of Tongan fans’ quest to watch Tonga’s match at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Wellington, was released in cinemas in New Zealand today, 23 March 2023.
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Friday 17 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Miss Tonga, Vesalua Tupou, was crowned the Continental Queen for Oceania at the 2023 Face of Beauty International preliminary competition on 16 March, in the Philippines.
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Tuesday 14 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A New Zealand tenor singer of Tongan heritage, Filipe Manu, was announced as one of 16 contestants in this year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2023, to be held in June.
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Thursday 3 November 2022
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five times Olympian and two-times gold medalist, Dame Valerie Adams brought home to Tonga her inspirational 'More than Gold' feature film, dedicated to her late mother Lilika Ngauamo of Houma. The film is being screened for free for the rest of the week to youths and school students in Nuku'alofa. At the same time, it is being shown in New Zealand cinemas.
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Monday 25 July 2022
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand-Tongan Tenor singer Filipe Manu has been named as the winner of the 2022 Lexus Song Quest, Aotearoa's most prestigious opera competition. Filipe has walked away with a life-changing immediate cash prize of $20,000, a study scholarship of $27,000, plus economy international travel up to the value of $3,000. The head judge said the talent of the five finalists was exceptional.
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