Results for Arts & Entertainment

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.

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.

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.

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).

‘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.

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.

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.

Festive bands played in Nuku'alofa, bringing welcome Christmas cheer to shoppers and holiday makers, despite the heat from the hot sun, today December 22, as Tonga approaches its second Christmas under border restrictions.

Renown Hawaii based Tongan Master Carver, Tu'ione Pulotu, has carved a massive Tongan tiki - at over 4.5 metres tall, probably the biggest in the country, which will be displayed at the Nuku'alofa Tanoa Hotel. He's looking forward to returning to Hawaii next week after carving over 100 canoes in Tonga since the border shut in March last year. By Eleanor Gee.