Two concerts that won't cost you

You won't need a dollar or even a ticket, but you might want to get to Borders Waikele early if you want a seat for a couple of free concerts:

• Na Leo Pilimehana, the multi-award winning trio whose latest release is "Anthology II," will perform at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

• 'Ukulele whiz Jake Shimabukuro, above, whose new CD single "Ehime Maru" honors those who were lost in the submarine/training vessel collision, takes the stage at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Call 676-6698 for more information.

'Hana Hou!' concert

May 11 Island favorite Ho'okena performs in the final installment of the annual "Hana Hou!" series of musical events at the Hawai'i Theatre, 8 p.m. $25. 528-0506.

The gift of music

Talented fingers will fly across the piano keyboards when the Honolulu Symphony Youth Talent Showcase gets under way at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The young pianists are Austin Au, 11; Chris Cerna, 19; Nancy Chu, 18 (right); Mana Kinikini, 18; Christy Kokami, 14; Sherri Anne Kono, 18; Stephanie Le, 15; Brian Liu, 18; and Brent Nitta, 17 (left). Tickets are $5-$10, at the box office and at Ticket Plus outlets. 792-2000.

Two very different productions will hit the stage this weekend at the Yellow Brick Studio, 625 Keawe St. in Kaka'ako:

A nation divided

Sam Polson, above left, is Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Earll Kingston is Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in "We Meet at Appomattox," a Civil War play written by the two actors. The play, a world premiere, is based on letters, records, oral-history testimonies and a bit of speculation and will head for Chicago for performances later in the month. Kingston, an Island theater regular from 1967 to 1984, is married to author Maxine Hong Kingston; they live in Oakland, Calif. Polson is a current theater regular who has more than 40 stage credits here and on the Mainland. "Appomattox" unfolds at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10. Reservations: 591-7999.

Looking for love

"Real Beef," a one-man show by David DeBlieck, combines fantasy and reality, storytelling and dance to help a gay teenage boy find love in the Heartland. Music by Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Culture Club and Billy Joel will accompany two tales — the first engages in an erotic wrestling fantasy, the second explores the courtship of a science nerd and a farm boy in the Midwest. DeBlieck is a seven-year veteran of the Iona Pear Dance Theatre and has produced several theater and dance events. "Real Beef" begins at 8 p.m. tonight, Saturday and May 11-12; and at 4 p.m. Sunday and May 13. Tickets are $10 general, $8 students and seniors. Reservations: 538-1980.

In flight

Catherine Zahrn springs through the air in her master's thesis "This Particular Space" in "Spring Footholds," the annual dance concert at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. The UH-Manoa Dance Ensemble also will perform. "Spring Footholds" takes off at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9 for general admission; $7 for students, seniors, military, UH faculty/staff; $3 for UH students with valid ID and are available at the Kennedy box office; charge by phone at 956-7655.

Oh, boys

The koi kites are out. Boys' Day — Saturday — is just around the corner.

Take your special guy out to his favorite sushi spot. Or just give him sole ownership of the remote (for the day).

Or, you can celebrate the traditional Japanese holiday by taking in some cultural events around town:

• A Boys' Day Celebration with all things boys, such as kite-making and yo-yo demonstrations, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Market City Shopping Center; free. 734-0282.

• A Children's Day Festival offers hands-on activities, such as origami, gyotaku and miniature ikebana from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Center. Put on by TEMARI Center for Asian and Pacific Arts, the festivities continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free. 735-1860.

Crafting: a spring expo

It's spring, when a person's fancy turns to ... Mother's Day! OK, relax, you still have a week to find that special gift that says "Thanks, Mom, I actually got you more than just a card this year." So go look for that gift at the fourth annual Islandwide Spring Crafts & Food Expo, featuring 250 artisans offering stuff to consider. It all happens 5-10 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Admission is $3 general, free for those 12 and younger. 623-4050

Authentic tango

If you truly love to tango, you must learn from the best. Florencia Taccetti, a "treasure of Argentina," offers a series of tango classes at the Honolulu Club, 932 Ward Ave., and even a dance party during her 2001 Tango Tour.

The schedule:

Saturday:

Close Embrace I: 2-3:30 p.m.

Close Embrace II: 4-5:30 p.m.

Milonga I: 6-7:30 p.m.

Milonga (tango dance party) 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Sunday:

Tango Nuevo I: 2-3:30 p.m.

Tango Nuevo II: 4-5:30 p.m.

Milonga II: 6-7:30 p.m.

Practica: 7:30-9 p.m.

The cost is $20 a class, $10 for the party; or $100 for an all-classes pass that includes the party. Register: 721-2123.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Quick history lesson.

Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Although they were eventually defeated, the battle came to symbolize Mexican unity and patriotism.

What May 5 does not represent is Mexico's independence, which came about Sept. 16, 1810. So Cinco de Mayo is more about celebrating heritage than about getting downright crazy.

Here are some culturally responsible ways to ring in Cinco de Mayo this weekend — and all at no cost:

• Mariachi en Hawaii kicks off the weekend's festivities with music and dance at 5:30 p.m. today at the Kapi'olani Park bandstand; free. 843-8002

• Cinco de Mayo Fiesta serves up a burrito-eating contest, Mexican craft activities and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Windward Mall Center Court; free. 235-1143

• Fiesta Mexicana presents a 45-minute Cinco de Mayo dance performance at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fountain Courtyard of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center; free. 922-2299

And for those who want any excuse to party, here are some events for you:

• It's a Cinco de Mayo party with a kick at Fusion Waikiki. Lady DJ Margarita will guest spin from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday; 924-2422

• Compadres Bar & Grill celebrates Cinco de Mayo with rump-shaking music by DJ Rocky and the Corona Girls from 10 p.m. Saturday. 591-8307

• Check out the Northsiders and Simplisity at The Row Bar starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, with tortilla-eating and limbo contests. 528-2345

• Shake your bon-bon at Blue Tropix Restaurant & Nightclub with an pi–ata for adults only. Party starts at 8 p.m. Saturday. 944-0001.

Friendly folks

Sesame Street Live's annual music and dancing and good-times extravaganza for the little ones is titled "Let's Be Friends." It takes over the Blaisdell Arena for a number of performances:

• Thursday, 7 p.m.

• May 11, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• May 12, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• May 13, 1 and 4:30 p.m.

• May 17, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

• May 18, 7 p.m.

• May 19, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• May 20, 1 and 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $17 VIP seating, $14 and $12 (discounts available on $14, $12 tickets only); opening night is $10. Charge-by-phone 526-4400. 591-2211.