Find the Spirit of Aloha with Island Inspirations
We can all use a little more Aloha in our lives.
A little more love, compassion, peace, and a lot more joy! Enter: Island Inspirations.
Through captivating, traditional Polynesian performances, Island Inspirations allows audiences to experience the magic of island culture in Orange County and beyond.
Form a greater connection to those around you through live music and dance. Rhythmic drum vibrations sync with your heartbeat as you’re dressed with a fresh floral lei from the islands. While you watch the mesmerizing movements of each dancer, it’s impossible not to feel the positive energy they give off.
Owner and dancer Selyna Ke'alohilani McKee explains of their performances: “Everyone is always in a pretty excited and fun mood. It's hard to be at an event and not feel the joy of being around other people… especially after the few years we’ve had not being able to gather.”
A cornerstone of Island Inspirations is “getting to share the culture authentically,” McKee explains. “We pride ourselves in being very aware of the culture we're sharing. Being authentic and giving a quality performance that's also educational is at the heart of every performance.”
From lei greetings to fire dancing, Island Inspirations leaves memorable impressions on audiences through the incorporation of authentic Polynesian traditions.
Shows open with a conch shell blowing that dates back to ancient times. By incorporating historical traditions in modern times, Island Inspirations strives to bring Polynesian culture to life.
And guests are always encouraged to join in on the fun. “We never like dancing alone in the islands, '' McKee explains with a warm smile. “Children and adults are welcome to join in on the party and are given an opportunity to learn how to dance as part of the performance family.”
The welcoming nature of Island Inspirations works to uplift audiences and flows from familial bonds between the dancers, as most dancers come into Polynesian dancing through family traditions.
McKee herself grew up dancing and remembers going to the studio as a young girl. “It was truly a family affair — years of practices with my younger sisters and mother,” she reflects fondly. “My father even played guitar for our performances at one point!” While young McKee thought of practices as a chore, she grew to love the art and is now passing the heritage down to her two children who often accompany her at practices every Sunday.
Today, Island Inspirations promises to add authentic magic to any event.
In addition to Polynesian performances at birthday parties and celebrations of life, they also perform every Friday night at Duke's Huntington Beach and Duke’s Malibu and are featured artists for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts “ARTS TEACH” program, for which they perform at educational school assemblies across Orange County.
The dancers of Island Inspirations have been featured on film, television, and at celebrity events, from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 70th birthday party, events at the Playboy Mansion, and a more recent performance for the cast of White Lotus on HBO, to name just a few!
While every performance is treated with the same excitement and care, the most rewarding work for Island Inspirations are performances that give back. McKee shares that dancing at the Festival for Children is some of her most memorable work because their culture is able to impact the youth of the community. The Festival of Children Foundation supports charities that improve the lives of kids by turning dreams into a reality.
At the end of the day, Island Inspirations aims to bring audiences together in a fun, engaging, and memorable way that honors Polynesian culture. McKee encourages her dancers and audiences to collectively be present in the moment and share the impact.
“Just remembering how important it is to gather with each other, for community to happen, and to be there for one another is the biggest thing we want from our team and from our shows,” says McKee. “And of course… to spread aloha!”
Emily Miller is an Orange County based food and lifestyle writer. Read more of her work here.
Photos by: Mari Verdugo.