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Post #449930 by Mo-Eye on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 3:32 AM

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M

Here's a lenghty article about the 2 entertainers there from the Evening Independent, Dec. 7, 1961:

They Dance to Polynesian Rhythms

You can take a boy from the islands, but you can't take the islands from a boy.

Tahitian-born Tane (pronounced TAH-NEE) Lescard has lived in the United States since the age of four, attended American schools, served in the U.S. Air Force and worked in a missile plant.

However, in recent years, Tane has put his native talents to work entertaining night club guests with a spectacular Polynesian knife and fire dance.

Tane, and his wife Elana, recently completed a series of engagements at Miami and miami Beach night spots, and now are appearing at the Bali-Ha'i supper club in treasure island with Aconi (Joe) Vierra's Hawaiians.

Elana was born into show business in Salt Lake City, Utah, when her parents - an Hawaiian mother and Norwegian father - were touring the U.S. with the road company of Bird of Paradise.

"I have known nothing but show business all my life," explains Elana. "You might say I've lived in a suitcase, traveling all over the country."

Met in Miami
Tane and his bride of a year met in Miami in 1958 when Elana was doing Polynesian numbers in Genee Armond's Lounge in the Sea Isle Hotel.

Tane had quit his job with the Raytheon missile plant in Massachusetts because he felt "shut in," and had come to Florida where he taught swimming lessons at Miami Beach hotels.

One evening Tane went to the Sea Isle to watch Elana's act, and took part in a Tahitian dance number for which Elana called for volunteers from the audience. After the impromptu performance, Tane was encouraged by elana and other professionals to join the show.

Four months later Tane and Elana were married and have been featured together in numerous night clubs doing Polynesian dances and songs. Often they sing to the accompaniment of Elana's Hawaiian ukulele.

In Miami, a samoan guitar player, Jimmy Ladoux, helped Tane perfect the ancestral knife and fire dance, which is danced to the rhythm of native drums. Tane designed the pair of modernized steel machetes he uses for the dance. The gleaming knives weigh about four pounds each and are straighter than the native machete which is curved and sometimes rough hewn.

Tane explains that in Tahiti once a year the natives from every village gather in one place and the men test their skills trying to outdo each other with the knife and fire dance. The naive women and children pat their hands and chant the "sa-sa" or rhythm.

Coral Cutter
Tane's father knew the knife and fire dance but did not dance professionally in the United States. He was a coral cutter in Tahiti before bringing his family to this country where he became a granite mason and settled in Lowell, Mass.

When Tane was stationed with the Air Force in Okinawa during world War II, he performed Polynesian dances in the USO shows entertaining troops.

Elana, although she has lived all her life in the United States is well versed in Hawaiian customs, and has visited her sister in Hilo, Hawaii.

Elana recalls that during her childhood, though traveling about with road shows, she received her eduction through the New York Theatrical School.

"My parents made sure that my sister, brother and I spoke perfect English and lived as Americans do.

"But my parents did retain some native Hawaiian traits. for instance, when we ate American food we sat at a table and used silverware, but on occasions when my Mother served Hawaiian dishes we sat on the floor and ate with our hands."

Elana learned the way of the islands along with her American education. She used her knowledge of native customs professionally in the Hollywood, Calif. area by arranging Hawaiian luaus for such stars as Bud Abbott and the late Lou Costello. Elana also sang in Abbott and Costello's lounge in Burbank.

Elana sang the Hawaiian number, Keep Your Eyes on the Hands, for the soundtrack of the movie, Mamie Stover Story, staring Jane Russell. She also sang in the Tahitian medley in Mister Roberts.

Elana's brother, Lund Nelson, has his own band - the Tahitian-aires - currently appearing at the Yankee Clipper in fort Lauderdale. The band recently made a stereo recording called South Sea Islands for Decca Records.

Lund's full name is Lund Paul Kealii-Kanaka Oli Nelson. He was named for the family's protector god after 10 other sons died in infancy.

Elana's mother claimed to have seen the god Kealii-Kanaka Oli holding each of the babies before they died. When the 11th son - Lund - was born, he was named after the god. According to Elana, Lund has led a charmed life.