From the organizers:

For the last eight years the historic downtown Hilo district has hosted what is now called “Hilo’s biggest strolling party,” Black & White Night. This year will be no exception with over 70 businesses and organizations involved throughout town and thousands of people expected to attend the event is scheduled for  5 p.m. until 10 p.m., Friday Nov. 6, 2009.

From Ponahawai Street to Wailuku Drive and from Kamehameha Avenue to just above Kinoole Street downtown businesses will be offering up all sorts of free entertainment and refreshments as well as specials and sales. The popular “Treasure Hunt” will have people seeking stamps from participating businesses for a chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes.Schedules and Treasure Hunt maps with full instructions will be available that night at “Grand Central Station” located on Keawe Street between Waianuenue Avenue and Shipman Street in front of the new restaurant, Ohana Grill at Kaikodo. That portion of Keawe will be closed to vehicular traffic and a stage there will feature continuous entertainment, free live music and prize drawings. The Black & White Best Dressed Contest will take place at 6 p.m. with cash prizes awarded in children and adult categories. Participants can sign up for the contest at Grand Central Station between 5 and 6 p.m.

In addition to a dozen or more venues offering live music throughout the night, the Palace Theater on Haili Street will be presenting a free performance with recording artist Vienna Teng at 6:30 p.m. in the main auditorium. This signer, songwriter, pianist has released three critically acclaimed albums, landing her on three Billboard charts and in Amazon.com’s top ten. She regularly sells out theaters across the U.S. and Europe, fans travel hundreds of miles to catch a single show, and her opening sets for the likes of India.Arie, Joan Baez and Madeleine Peyroux end in standing ovations. Fronting Teng, the Puna Men’s Chorus will perform in the lobby at 5 p.m. leading up to her show.

For those who want to keep going, the ”Dancing After Hours” party offers a great floor from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Kaikodo building. For a $5 cover, the Downtown Swing Band will perform songs of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Refreshments will be available for purchase and no outside food, drinks or alcohol will be allowed. For more information contact Alice Moon & Co. at 933-9772 or amooninfo@bigisland.com or visit www.poshfestivals.com

Invited to perform at various locations around town:

Vizion 2020 with Yisa Var

Esther Zamora

Hilo Crybabies

Jazz Straight Up

Island Swing Band

Jazz Mele

Oona McOuat & Richard Lee

Kawekiu

The Majtones

Moon’s Landing

The Elementalz

Spoken Word

Kris Fuchigami

Brown Fat Rhythm Section