If you closed your eyes Saturday night, the strains of the acoustic guitar, the driving percussions and the swish of grass skirts could transport you to the sandy beaches of a South Seas paradise.

Instead, mostly everyone was wearing clothing more suited to the climate of southeastern Arizona during a fall indoors benefit for the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.

That didn't stop people from doing the hula and learning the complicated steps of a Samoan dance. Locals were called out to the dance floor, where they demonstrated how hard the simple-looking dances actually are.

Colorful costumes and lively dances were the signature of The Tia Islanders at the Chamber’s annual event. Photo by Aimee Staten

The Tia Islanders of Mesa don't live near any coast now, but their roots are buried deep in the traditions of Hawaii and the Samoan Islands. The Islanders provided more than an hour of entertainment that included singing, dancing and audience participation

Chamber Director Sheldon Miller said the evening was fun, and local resident Gary Curtis was “one of the best hip swingers this side of the Pecos.” Curtis was one of four men who participated in learning an island dance in front of a very appreciative audience.

Tammy Mayhew and Mary Lou Krieg of the Manor House and Tiffany Newton, a locally bred chef who works for Hyatt Regency, created different parts of the sumptuous meal that featured pecan-crusted pork loin chops over red-infused rice topped by a chunky roma tomato sauce. The dinner was crowned with a pineapple vanilla bean mousse with Mandarin spice sauce created by Newton.

A silent auction was also part of the evening's fund-raising efforts, and names were drawn for door prizes. The top prize of a trip to Hawaii went to Huey and Tari Long, Safford's city manager and his wife.