November 5-7 2010–30th Annual Ia ‘Oe E Ka La (You Are The Sun) Hula Festival and Competition takes place at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, 4501 Pleasanton Blvd. This is Northern California’s version of Merrie Monarch, the “olympics” of hula. Groups will present ancient hula (kahiko) and more modern 20th century style hula (auwana).
Halau (hula schools) come from Hawaii, all over California, Las Vegas,and sometimes from as far away as Japan and Mexico. Each group brings its own live music and there is a catagory of competition for the musicians as well. You will see groups of young boys and girls, seniors, young men and women and couples. Each group is judged on its use of Hawaiian language, its costuming, its flowers (no phony flowers allowed) the choreography and the dancing.
Besides the competition, there are 2 halls with vendors selling hand made crafts, fine art, plants, music and instruments, goodies from Hawaii. There is Hawaiian, Philipino, all kinds of wonderful food based on what people like to eat in Hawaii.
Group competitions on Saturday (11am-6pm) and Sunday (11am-7pm). Solo competition Friday night 5-11pm
Admission: To the Fairgrounds (entrance to arts/crafts area & food booths only) $10/day.
Friday night competition $12
Saturday & Sunday competitions $15/day
Children under 5 are free. Parking $8/day
Bring comfy sit-upons. The chairs and bleachers are not comfy.