European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 13, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Is photos by Lloyd Perkins under the swag the Hula by m1kk Spear staff writer a of could sense that it was going to be a Good show right irom the Start. There they were the women in grass skirts with Flowers in their hair and the males in flowery shirts. All were barefooted except the oldest an electrical guitar player who was wearing White  music they were playing was polynesian which is a Blan Ket term for much of the Island music in the Pacific from Hawaii to Tahiti. They played an easy lilting and rhythmic Hula in which a teenage girl swayed in a sure Graceful  followed a dance called the Llu Kilau which is a slower tune about fishing with Long nets off the islands. A younger girl danced the musical Story and there were no lies about the big one that got away. When it was Over the girl Sang a Wing to herself in a Small Happy voice while waiting for the next song to  quickly the group switched to a very fast Tahi Lian dance using Only percussion instruments for rhythm. The teenage girl returned dressed in a grass skirt and grass headdress Wilh what looked like a Woven grass fan in each hand. She went through a hip swinging dance that for a physical workout looked the equal of running a four minute mile. But her Grace and expertise made it look easy. This was no Ordinary polynesian musical group. These were performers ranging irom their late 30s or Early 40s to age 3. And anyway what was this Island music doing on the opposite Side of the world whence it came Why were these nine people per forming in inner Turkey of All places and enjoy ing it. The first thing you learn is that the Pete Britos family enjoys itself wherever it performs. It s a family affair and the family gets about As much fun out of performing at Home As any place else. One look at them going through a routine in the living room of their Home says that loud and  have been performing together for years and As the family has grown so has the group. They have played in Japan Panama the states and Turkey. Those Are the places Britos an army lieutenant colonel has worked As a meteorologist. He has just transferred to Heidelberg. Germany to become the operations officer of the 7lh weather Squadron. My interest is to share with people some of the polynesian culture says Britos in a resonant voice. We can show them something that probably they have never seen and probably will never see  Britos family performs about eight times a year. They have entertained the turkish american association in Izmir in clubs and in schools at different duty stations. Britos Calls it Low key entertainment saying if a group shows interest and wants them they la play if the family does t have other commitments such As Tennis or scuba diving he says they like a set  mean by that that i Don t want rowdiness he says and adds we be got something to offer. We be got Cul Ture to offer. Something you just Don t go around any place and  music is a primary interest in the life of the native hawaiian but the word family is the key when you talk about the Bri Toses. Besides Pete and his wife. Miriam who is a native Virgin islander their seven children from oldest to youngest arc Lani. Peter Louis John Anthony Christo Pher and Kari Ann. They Range in age from 17 to 3 and they All dance and sing and play musical instruments among them guitars a Kelelis and Drums. Britos Points out that the songs and dances probably evolved from Long ago dances and prayers to the gods. The stories Are Oflyn funny but they can be philosophical or sad he says. He lakes hawaiian music for example and explains the four Basic things to look for in the Hula the feet keep time and generally move in Short Steps the hips accentuate the rhythm of the music the fingers hands and arms interpret the words and the face and eyes express the  Miriam does t dance unless she really has to. She generally makes sure Lani is dressed in time for different types of numbers and sometimes that can be four changes during a show he says. Britos placet Strong emphasis on costumes. He has found them to be very appealing to be audiences and help with the atmosphere of the music. Lani at 17 is the primary dancer. She s very very professional he says. In her everyday garb she looks like any everyday teenager but when she puts on her costume she s  he attributes her expertise to her Strong feeling for the music and a very Good teacher she and the family had while stationed in Panama. He says also that she practices for three hour stretches. Two of the More memorable events in their entertain ment career were playing nightly aboard the ship presi Dent Wilson on resuming from Japan to the states and the one of seven performing children in the Britos a Luau they conducted at an officer s club in Florida before coming to Turkey. Britos prepared four pigs for the Occa Sion and took charge of the decorations and entertain ment. We had a dining room that was rated to hold 275 per sons and the place was so crowded that we had people sit Ting with their backs up against the  Britos sees it All As an experience that Bindi the family together. I m not saying that just because there Are problems in families today. In my family i want to keep the Chil Dren together As Long As i can by doing things with them. And one of the Best things we can do is music because every one gravitates to  la begin peeling off when they Start College but by then their sense of togetherness will be so ingrained in them that they la feel naturally that they want to come v to Diw it it Page 14 the stars and stripes monday jul