The art of hula is celebrated every April at the Merrie Monarch Festival, the largest 3-day dance festival on the islands and named after the last monarch of Hawaii, King David Kalakaua. In addition to the hula competition, there's also a crafts fair, an art show, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.
The Manoa Valley Theatre specializes in producing Broadway and Off-Broadway plays and musicals, bringing many Hawaii premieres to the stage since its inception in 1969. The company was founded by a group of University of Hawaii graduate students, and in 1983 moved to its current 150-seat location.