About Us

The Company

In 1993, Akemi Welsh started Polynesian Paradise (PPD), a professional Polynesian entertainment company specializing in the traditional dances and music of the Polynesian Islands.

Over the years, the company has had the honor of sharing the culture with audiences all over. PPD has visited 40 states, performing on stage at venues such as Freneticore Dance Theatre, Houston, TX, Artcore Inc., Casper, WY, Wiltern Theatre, Live Nation, Los Angeles, CA, Westchester 1 Community College, Smart Arts, Valhalla, NY, Delaware Tech, Georgetown, DE, Cartwright Center, LaCross, WI and Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia, SC. They have done 10 international tours including exotic Abu Dhabi, China, Japan, Guam, and the Marshall Islands.

The Company Photo

Past performances include a daily 5-week run of the "Lilo & Stitch Hawaiian Party" at the El Capitan Theatre (Hollywood, CA) and nightly 8-week run at the Pageant of the Masters (Laguna Beach, CA), and the Silver Dollar City World Festival (Branson, MO). PPD has also performed for the celebrity red carpet premieres of Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates (Westwood, CA), and Disney's animated feature Lilo & Stitch (first in Hollywood, CA then at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, TN) in which our company director was hired as a consultant for the project. Polynesian Paradise Dancers can also be seen dancing in Adam Sandler's movie Bedtime Stories, and television shows as Glory Days, Backyard Nation, Tuckerville, My Tacky Room, Wizards of Waverly Place and Marie. Other highlights include performances at the Playboy Mansion, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Studios, the homes of celebrities such as Rob Zombie, former mayor of Los Angeles, Jim Hahn, and former governor of California, Arnold

Our Resume

Our touring company has performed in 40 States, 10 international tours, several TV shows, and countless special events.

US / International Tours

  • Polynesian Paradise Tour - Knoxville, TN, Montgomery, AL, Virginia Beach, VA, Cape Charles, VA, Gloucester, VA July 2017
  • Polynesian Paradise Tour – Virginia, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Matyland April 2017
  • Postcards From Paradise Tour – Pennsylvania, Virginia Beach, Maryland, Illinois, Iowa August 2016
  • Postcards From Paradise Tour – Tennessee, Alabama July 2016
  • Postcards from Paradise Tour - New Mexico, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia Summer 2015.
  • Postcards from Paradise Tour - New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida Spring 2014.
  • Postcards from Paradise – Arizona, Texas Fall 2013
  • Postcards from Paradise – Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, New York Pennsylvania, Florida, Wyoming Spring 2013
  • Pacific Rim Tour – Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands June 2007
  • Japan May 2007
  • Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO Apr – May 2007.
  • Chengdu, China Jan 2012; May/Dec 2006.
  • Guangzhou, China Oct 2006.
  • Kunming, China Jan 2006.
  • Wuhan, China Oct 2005.
  • 56 city tour in 18 states in the US Feb – Jun 2005.

Colleges / Universities

  • South Dakota State University - Brookings, SD Apr 6, 2019
  • University of Minnesota - Morris Mar 2, 2019
  • Southwestern University Louisiana - Hammon, LA Aug 15, 2018
  • Rappa Hannock Community College, VA April 2017
  • San Joaquin Delta Community College May 2016
  • Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA August 2015
  • Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC November 2014
  • University of Wisconsin, La Cross, WI April 2014
  • Westchester Community College, Valhalla,NY April 2013
  • Sheridan College, Sheridan, WY May 2012.
  • Victor Valley College, CA May 2010.
  • Delaware Tech “Starry Starry Night”, Dover, DE Apr 2009.
  • Miracosta College, Oceanside, CA Apr 2009.
  • Rio Hondo Community College, CA Sep 2008.
  • California State University Fullerton, CA Aug 2010/2009; Sep 2008.
  • University of California Riverside, CA Feb/Apr/Sep 2009; May 2008.
  • University of Southern Carolina, Columbia, SC Sep 2008.
  • Cal Poly Pomona University Theatre, Pomona, CA Dec 2008 – 2006.

Theaters / Extended Engagements

  • Redlands Bowl, Redlands, Ca
  • Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, CA tiki night
  • The Cell Theatre, Albuquerque, NM.
  • Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, IA.
  • Whittier Center Theatre, CA.
  • Freneticore Dance Theatre, Houston, TX.
  • Red Barn Theatre, Tucson, AZ.
  • Sovereign Majestic, Pottsville, PA.
  • The Den Theatre, Chicago, IL.
  • Gorilla Tango, Skokie, IL.
  • Bug Theatre, Denver, CO.
  • Playhouse on the Park, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Space 55, Phoenix, AZ
  • Wiltern Theatre, Live Nation, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Spencer Theatre, Alto,NM
  • ARTCORE, INC, Casper, WY.
  • The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, CA.
  • Downey Theatre, Downey, CA.
  • “Memories” Concert, Carpenter Center, Long Beach, CA.
  • Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, CA.
  • Vic Lopez Auditorium, Whittier, CA.
  • Bellflower Civic Auditorium, Bellflower, CA.
  • Pageant of The Masters “Seasons”, Laguna Beach, CA.
  • “Lilo & Stitch”, El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood, CA.
  • Silver Dollar City World Festival, Branson, MO.

Casinos Resorts

  • Cherrystone Resort, Cheriton, VA
  • Emerald Desert RV Resort, Palm Desert, CA
  • Pacific Palms Resort, City of Industry, CA
  • Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA.
  • Bighorn Golf Club, Palm Desert, CA.
  • Hyatt Regency, Indian Wells, CA.
  • La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA.
  • Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, CA.
  • Bucky's Casino, Prescott, AZ.
  • Tahoe Mountain Club Resort, Lake Tahoe, CA.
  • Royal River Casino - Flandreau, SD
  • Casa Elar, Ojai, CA
  • Rancho Las Palmas, Rancho Mirage, CA
  • Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, CA.
  • Casino Pauma, Pauma Valley, CA.
  • Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club, Flagstaff, AZ.
  • Village at North Star, Lake Tahoe, CA.
  • Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie, WA.
  • Tropical Resort and Casino, UK.
  • Casino Morongo New Year’s Eve Celebration, Cabazon, CA.

Libraries and Education

  • Rosemead Public Library, Rosemead, CA
  • Diamond Bar Library, Diamond Bar, CA; Bling
  • Wong Elementary, San Bernardino, CA;
  • Overland Elementary, Los Angeles, CA
  • Alta Loma School District, Alta Loma, CA
  • Lewis Library, Fontana, CA
  • Lanterman Development Center, Pomona, CA.
  • Albert City Iowa Public Library, IA.
  • Whittier Public Library, CA.
  • Los Nietos Library, Whittier, CA.
  • Paul Biane Library, Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
  • Azusa Civic Auditorium, CA.
  • Paramount Library, Paramount, CA
  • Little Rock Library, Little Rock, CA
  • Aliso Viejo Library, Aliso Viejo, CA
  • Colony High Branch Library
  • Brea Library, Brea, CA; Lake Arrowhead Branch Library, Blue Jay, CA
  • Malibu Library, Malibu, CA; San Gabriel Library, San Gabriel, CA
  • CA Summer Reading Library Events: Grace Mellman Community Library, Rancho.
  • Cucamonga Library, La Quinta Public Library, Santa Monica Public Library, Tulare County.
  • Library, Banning Public Library, Santa Monica Branch Library, Barstow Branch Library.
  • Temecula Public Library.

Grand Openings

  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Carson, Gardena, CA.
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Fontana, South Gate, San Jose, West Covina, CA.
  • Curacao Grand Opening in Huntington Park, CA.
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Santa Ana, Downey, Riverside, CA.
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Culver City, Rosemead, Hollywood, CA.
  • Maui Wowi Grand Opening, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Ono Hawaiian BBQ Grand Opening in Walnut Park & Compton, CA.
  • Ohana BBQ.

Special events / TV Shows / Commercials / Movies

  • Jimmy Buffet, Live Nation, Irvine Meadows 2015, 2016
  • Luau, N.A.S. Hasley Field, San Diego, CA August 2015
  • Luau Night, JEB Little Creek – Fort Story, Virginia Beach, FL August 2015
  • Beach Street USA Festival, Virginia Beach, VA August 2015, 2016
  • Buena Vista County Fair, Alta, IA July 2015
  • Barefoot Bar, Okojobi, IA July 2015
  • Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe luncheon, Flandreau, SD June 2015
  • Louis Vuitton luncheon, San Dimas, CA June 2015
  • Tweedy Mile Street Fair, South Gate, CA June 2015
  • Couples Date Night, Military Event, Twentynine Palms, CA June 2015
  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Event, Los Angeles, CA May 2015
  • San Diego Magazine Event, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA May 2015
  • “Best Friends Whenever” (Disney Channel) April 2015
  • Beaver Round Up Festival, Dillingham, AK February 2015
  • Tahiti Swell Lip Balm January 2015
  • LA Cancer Challenge, West Los Angeles, CA October 2014
  • International Food Festival, Downey, CA September 2014
  • Burbank Studios luncheon, Burbank, CA September 2014
  • Oceana Seachange Summer Party, Laguna Beach, CA August 2014
  • Orange Street Faire, Orange, CA Aug 2014.
  • Rum Renaissance Festival, Miami, FL April 2014/2013.
  • Tiki Oasis, San Diego, CA Aug 2013/2014.
  • "Marie" Osmond Show (Hallmark Channel) May 2013.
  • Make a Wish Foundation Fundraiser, Orange, CA Aug 2012.
  • Muckenthaler Luau, Fullerton CA Jul 2012.
  • Rock for Vets, Torrance, CA Jun 2011.
  • Don the Beachcomber, Huntington Beach, CA May/June ’12, June/Jul ‘11.
  • “Glory Daze” (TBS) Mar 2011.
  • UCLA – Beta Theta Pi house event, Los Angeles, CA Oct 2010.
  • Kidspace Museum, Pasadena, CA June 2011/2010.
  • “My Awesome Room” (Style Network) Mar 2010.
  • Universal Studios luncheon, "Inception," Leonardo DiCaprio Nov 2009.
  • ACWA Convention, Long Beach, CA 2008.
  • AGAIC Convention, Anaheim, CA 2008.
  • APWA City of Olympia, Ocean Shores, WA 2008.
  • MDA Fundraiser, Carlsbad, CA 2008.
  • “Bed Time Stories” – Adam Sandler Movie 2008.
  • “Tuckerville” (TLC) 2008.
  • Van’s Product Launch, Huntington Beach, CA 2008.
  • San Diego, CA 2007.
  • Paramount Studios luncheon, “Nowhereland,” Eddie Murphy 2007.
  • L&L Hawaiian BBQ 2007.
  • “The Wizards of Waverly Place” (Disney Channel) 2007.
  • “Backyard Nation” (TLC) 2007.
  • Roy Disney’s Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala 2007, 2006.
  • Roy Disney’s Cancer Foundation Fundraiser, Universal Studios 2006.
  • Aloha Airlines John Wayne Airport 2006.
  • SeaWorld San Diego 2006.
  • San Diego Airport 2005.
  • Disneyland Half Marathon, Anaheim, CA Aug 2014, Sept 2005–2013.
  • “Denied” (MTV) 2006.
  • “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC) 2005.
  • “70’s House” (MTV) 2005.
  • NBC July Press Tour Universal, CA 2004.
  • ABC Primetime, Disney’s California Adventure Park Anaheim, CA 2004.
  • World Premiere red carpet “50 First Dates”, CA 2004.
  • Playboy Mansion “Steve Harvey All-Star party” Los Angeles, CA 2003.
  • World Premiere red carpet event “Finding Nemo”, Hollywood, CA 2003.
  • World Premiere red carpet event “Lilo & Stitch”, Hollywood, CA; Memphis, TN 2003.
  • Esquire magazine red carpet event - children’s charity, Los Angeles, CA 2003.
  • “Dream Maker” Richard Simmons TV show 1999.
  • “Crook & Chase” (TNN) – special guest – hula for fitness 1999.
  • "Essentials" – special guest – hula for fitness 1999.
  • Tina Turner Music Video 1996.
  • Miller Beer 1991.
  • MCI 1991.
  • Ameritech 1991.

Print

  • Visa advertisement in Sunset Magazine 1991.
  • Lilo & Stitch for Buena Vista Pictures 2005.

Celebrity Clients Private Parties

  • Dr. Dre 2008.
  • Connie Stevens 2008.
  • Tanya Tucker 2008.
  • Rob Zombie 2006.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger 2005.

Interested in having polynesian dancers perform at your next event?

Staff

Akemi Welsh - Director

Akemi Welsh

Director

Akemi Welsh graduated from the Orange County High School of the Arts -Musical and Theatre Conservatory. With a passion for the arts she has studied various forms of performing arts such as: jazz, ballet, tap, mime, singing and musical theatre. During her professional dance career Akemi performed with Long Beach Classical Ballet and the Southern California Dance Theatre in several productions of the Nutcracker and other modern works, Classical Opera with Professor Chao Mei Pa the co-founder of the Shanghai Conservatory, was casted as the role of Liat in 5 productions of “South Pacific” including a national tour with John Rait and Jack Jones, she has also held roles as Eliza in the “King and I” and the role of Pocahontas in a Taiwan tour. In addition to winning numerous awards as a dancer and singer, Akemi has produced over 42 national and international tours and counting.