This weekend, Diamond Dance Project will host “Aloha Vibes” in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex parking lot — in what will be their end-of-year showcase but also a vendor fair with a “block party” feel. Aloha Vibes runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the showcase performance at 2 p.m.
Owners Jessie and Crystal Soyangco said Wednesday that Aloha Vibes is an evolution of both “Aloha Days,” an event the group put on before the COVID-19 pandemic, and “Vibes,” a smaller-scale community event that they put on in recent years in response to the virus. The two came from Hawaii, and said they’re always excited to share those aloha vibes with the central Kenai Peninsula.
Earlier this year, Crystal said, their dancers were able to get back to performing in an auditorium, but this year’s end event is something different. It’ll have the same level of production, but will be set in the summer sun in front of vendors and the wider community.
“Aloha is a way for us to contribute to the community and give them a little bit of a different vibe,” Jessie said. “Bringing friends and families together.”
Crystal said Aloha Vibes was designed as a summer kickoff, and that she was excited to see the community coming together in one place.
The end-of-year show, Crystal said, is an opportunity for the entire company to get out and shine for their families and friends — she said it centers the recreational dancers.
“They get to cut loose a little bit,” she said. “Do their best, but have fun and just live it up.”
The dancers will be showing off a variety of styles, including hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, hula and contemporary.
Throughout the day, Jessie said, there will be lots of Hawaiian music.
A lot of the vendors are getting in on the thematic fun and bringing themed specials for the event, Crystal said.
Each day on Facebook the group has spotlighted one of their partners and the special things they’re bringing to this weekend. The Espresso Barn is bringing a Hawaiian Cookie Cold Brew; Odin’s Ice is bringing a variety of coconut and passion orange guava-themed ice creams and shaved ice; and Wok n’ Roll will have a Island Combo Special. Plenty of others will be participating, including Beka’s Bows & Baubles, Promethean Cuisine, AK Crazy Collector and KPAL Rescue, who will have pets for adoption.
Aloha Vibes, the Soyangcos said, is about positivity in the community, and that’s why they partnered their performance with vendors from around the area.
“What Diamond Dance stands for, the whole project of it is for us to continue to build the community in a positive direction,” Jessie said. “To be respectful and to be open to other people’s feelings and the way they live and not judge so quickly.”
Aloha Vibes will be at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex from 11 am. To 5 p.m. on Saturday. The showcase performance will be at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at simpletix.com. For more information, visit facebook.com/d.danceproject.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
