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Yobei featured in 1st Nesia Festival in Portland
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Posted on Jun 22 2011
Local musician Parker Yobei will be the main act in the upcoming 1st United Nesia Festival slated next month.
The 1st United Nesia Festival, to be held on July 2 at the Portland State University Ballroom, is the biggest and most anticipated event of the summer, showcasing the talents of various performers from Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Organized by eXpose Thyself Entertainment, Betelnut Radio, Island Session and KMMNWLTH, the festival will bring nine hours of arts and crafts, authentic food, and live performances from different Pacific island nations.
One hundred early presale tickets sold in April cost $25 each, 100 regular presale tickets bought in May were priced at $30 each, while 300 regular tickets in June will be charged $35 each.
Yobei, in an interview, said this will be his first time to perform in Portland. “I was lucky enough to be invited and be the featured performer for the event,” he told Saipan Tribune.
According to Yobei, he will be leaving on June 28 with his wife Christine and 3-year-old daughter Mia Danielle.
“This is me making it up to them, especially to my daughter, for missing her birthday last June 10 because of the Flame Tree Arts Festival,” he explained.
Yobei said the festival is only the beginning of a series of six shows in Washington and the Portland area, noting that there might be one show in Idaho, which is still being finalized.
“I’m really excited to meet other islanders who have moved to those places. It’s more like giving them a chance to feel, hear, and witness live performances, which is different from hearing them on radio or CD,” he said.
Yobei said the festival and the rest of his shows can serve as a venue for Pacific Islanders “to be just themselves and enjoy.”
“It’s also a challenge for the guest local artists to push it up to the next level and reach for the skies. That’s why I’m really honored and excited and I plan to give a strong show,” he said.
Yobei encouraged all Pacific Islanders in the area to come out and support the 1st United Nesia Festival. “Have a good time with your family, meet old friends and make new ones at the event,” he added.
