With the world's attention focused on London this year, Cook Islands Tourism kicked off their European Roadshow 2012 with a selection of staged dance performances yesterday around nine major London landmarks. The dancers braved the cold weather and performed in iconic sites across London, including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral and Piccadilly Circus. This was the first time many of the dancers had visited the UK, with some having never left the Cook Islands before. The group consist of eight dancers and four drummers, who have all been selected through a national audition process as well as a team of four management members. The performers range from 11 year olds to over 50 and the group includes one Male Dance Leader, one Female Dance Leader and a Band Master. Accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the drum, the women dance with a swaying hip movement that slowly goes from side to side, trying to keep their shoulders as still as possible, whereas the men dance with slightly bent knees, which they knock together in time to the drum beat. Endeavour TV

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