TOKYO 10 Questions: An Interview with Mika Haka
They say variety is the spice of life, well today we interview a most fascinating artist who hails from New Zealand. Mika Haka takes the stage at the 2009 Tokyo Fringe Festival with his show “Timaru”. A lively Polynesian legend, he has performed at a number of festivals worldwide as well as in front of Royalty. So let’s get to know a little bit more about Mika…
1. What inspired you to become an artist, performer, musician, writer and dancer?
As a child I was performing my way into a special world – as an adult its now a space that is like a safe peaceful world.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Tokyo and Kyoto Fringe Festivals?
Timaru to Tokyo and Timaru to Kyoto is about a tour celebrating my return to my home village in New Zealand / Aotearoa – named Timaru and then travelling to one of my favourites place in the world Japan to share the experiences of my home town in NZ to a non-English speaking nation – this is a voyage of discovery.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
Tokyo Fringe 07 – it was a time of self discovery.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Funniest – being able to laugh at myself is the best – the worst is when I can’t laugh at myself.
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
Live life like there’s no tomorrow – that’s the best and I continue to live like that.
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
Being able to be an artist and a producer of my own work allows me the freedom of not having to grovel to different producers to be included in their TV, film or stage projects – I have true creative freedom.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?
Bob Marley – He believed in Love, Eartha Kitt – even at 81 she was still wooing them in NYC & Issey Miyake – to discuss pleats and 21_21.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
So many to tell you, I would fill your web pages…
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I love salmon.
I love eggs.
I work out not enough and then too much.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
“Kotahitanga ma te rereketanga“- Unity thru difference – be different but be in unity with people who don’t think like you. Together we make this planet not one group, but all of us.
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Check out more information about Mika Haka from his website, NZ Embassy website, Art-Search, UK Arts, Indie Store, YouTube, Gay NZ and the Amplifier Magazine.
