Hula brings kids to downtown Merced

The latest collaboration of the arts and education brought an audience to downtown Merced on Saturday to watch swaying hips and listen to Hawaiian music.

Second Saturdays, a cooperative effort between the Merced County Arts Council and the Merced County Office of Education, is an effort to expose young people to the arts. Saturday’s offering at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center came from Becky Manandic, known to many as “Aunty Becky,” and the South Pacific Dance Company, which performed hula dancing.

The celebration of the arts for young people has been going on about eight years.

Performances this season have included acoustic pop hits and bluegrass. The South Pacific Dance Company, whose members often take part in the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete in Merced, performed Hawaiian-style dance for the children.

Second Saturdays has plans for Wendy Spencer and the Singers Company on March 12, as well as performances yet to be announced in April and May.

Organizers have said the program was started to enrich the lives of children through art, music, drama and theater.

For more on upcoming shows, call the center at 209-388-1090.

This story was originally published February 14, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Hula brings kids to downtown Merced."