The Buzz

The past is present when the modern musical "Tripitaka Koreana" or "The River of Eternal Love," comes to Honolulu for two performances leading up to the centennial celebration of Korean immigration to the United States.

A mix of Broadway styling and classical opera, the Hyundae Theater Company production is a tale based on Korea's successful defense against Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes from 1231 to 1239. Myo-Hwa, a martial-arts master of noble birth, falls in love with a lowly sculptor, Pisu, who leads the carving of the massive Tripitaka Koreana, which includes 81,258 wooden blocks of Buddhist scripture; earlier, the Mongols had driven King Gojong from the capital and burned Korea's original collection of scriptures, called the Koryo Taejanggyong. A love triangle, violence and a change of heart are part of this tale of historical and religious patriotism.

"Tripitaka Koreana" will be performed at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $20, $30, $50 and $70, available at the box office. 591-2211.

Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Master illusionist David Copperfield continues a series of shows, titled "Portal," at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The shows are at 8 p.m. today and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $55-$85, with discounts for children 12 and under, seniors and military; available at the box office (591-2211) and Ticket Plus outlets (526-4400). Also, a 10 percent discount for groups of 15 or more (except for Saturday night's show) is available by calling 732-7733. The Advertiser is a sponsor.

Live to eat

Foodies, Saturday is your lucky day. The 10th anniversary of the founding of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs' group will be celebrated as the 12 chefs reunite for events at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Sheraton Waikiki. Hawai'i's later generation of prominent chefs, known collectively as the Hawaiian Island Chefs, also will participate.

The festivities begin 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with The Farmers Market Festival at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Offerings will include fresh produce, seafood, coffee, entertainment and cooking demonstrations by Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs. It's free; discounted parking will be available at the shopping center's garage. 922-2299.

The Hawaii Regional Cuisine Gala Dinner, 6-10 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki, will be the biggie for fans of fine food. It's a grazing event with 25 food stations featuring the creations of the 12 Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs and 13 Hawaiian Island chefs. The only tickets left are $100 without seats ($10 discount if charging with American Express); proceeds will benefit the Hale 'Aina 'Ohana, which supports culinary programs in Hawai'i's community colleges. 931-3155.

The founding Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs, photographed 10 years ago, are, back row, from left, Sam Choy, Philippe Padovani, Roger Dikon, Gary Strehl; middle, from left, Roy Yamaguchi, Amy Ferguson-Ota, Jean-Marie Josselin, Chef Mavro, Beverly Gannon, Peter Merriman; front, Mark Ellman and Alan Wong. The Hawaiian Island Chefs are Steven Ariel, Chai Chaowasaree, Hiroshi Fukui, Teresa "Cheech" Gannon, George Gomes, D.K. Kodama, Lance Kosaka, Jacqueline Lau, Douglas Lum, James McDonald, Mark Okumura, Gûran Streng and Russell Siu.

Flowing positively

Home-design consultant Patty Kincaid and feng shui specialist Clarence Lau offer a free seminar titled "Applying Feng Shui Principles to the Home," 10 a.m. Saturday at Vagabond House, Ward Centre. Space is limited; call 593-0288 to register.

Caribbean scene

The Montego Joe's Caribbean Festival, hosted by part-time Hawai'i resident and basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabar, continues its mix of Caribbean cuisine and local entertainment at All Star Hawaii, King Kalakaua Plaza in Waikiki.

Among the highlights:

• Tonight: taping of "Local Kine Grindz" with Bruddah Sam and Lina Girl, 6:30 p.m.; dinner show with Fiji, 6:30 p.m.; late-night DJ party, 10 p.m.
• Saturday: dinner show with AZ, the KCCN FM100 All Star Band, featuring Norm, 7 p.m.; late-night DJ party, 10 p.m.
• Sunday: brunch, 10 a.m.; Azure McCall (pictured) and Tennyson Stevens performing from 11 a.m.

Tickets to entertainment events are $10, not including food and drinks; Sunday brunch is $30, including entertainment. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Hawaii and WorkNet, a Hawai'i-based culinary training program for at-risk youth. Validated parking. 945-9700.

Advertiser library photo

A taste of the Mediterranean is in store at the 21st annual Greek Festival, a fund-raiser for Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific, noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park. Among the offerings will be food (delights such as spanokopita, musaka, gyros sandwiches and baklava), entertainment, jewelry and clothing . . . oh, just get up and dance if the feeling moves you! Admission is $3; free for children under 11 accompanied by an adult. 521-7220.

Energized

"Adrenaline" is the title of a contemporary jazz and hip-hop concert by the students of Central YMCA's Dance Central program 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center. Dancers from Slam Dance Company also will perform. Tickets are $7 general, $5 advance, available at the Central YMCA membership office on Atkinson Drive. 226-9343.