Hawaiian Fusion brings traditional music, dance, food to Concord

"Aloha! If you can't get away to the Islands this year, we will bring them to you," says Avis Connolly, director of the Concord Senior Center. The 10th Annual Hawaiian Fusion fundraising event will take place on Friday, Sept. 9, at Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Rd. in Concord.  Tickets are on sale now at www.cityofconcord.org/hawaiianfusion.

For the past 10 years, the event has imported some of the Islands top slack key artists, ukulele specialists, and award-winning vocalists to perform to sell-out crowds of Hawaiian music aficionados.

In maintaining that excellent tradition, this year's show will feature Nathan Aweau, half of the multi-award winning and internationally renowned duo HAPA.  As a solo artist, Nathan received the Na Hoku Hanohano award as "Male Vocalist of the Year" three times in addition to being recognized in the Hawaiian music industry as a top vocalist and internationally acclaimed performer.

Tickets are $48 per person or $430 for table of ten.  All seats are reserved. The event sells out every year, so the public is encouraged to purchase tickets early for best seating.  The ticket price includes a lavish Hawaiian buffet dinner of such Island favorites as kalua pork, laulau, teriyaki chicken, lomi salmon and poi.

The Hawaiian Boutique and the no-host bar open at 4:30 p.m. and buffet dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with music by East Bay's Island Blend.  The show is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m.

Funds generated by the event support scholarships at the Concord Senior Center. The center offers enriching educational and specialized instructional classes and trips that some seniors can not afford.  For additional information, call (925) 671-3320 or visit the website: www.cityofconcord.org/hawaiianfusion.