The Buzz

Taylor made

James Taylor will be the music man of the hour when he returns to Hawai'i for a lone concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Blaisdell Arena. Taylor, who appeared on last weekend's "Concert for New York" at Madison Square Garden, has been a pop hit-maker for the past three decades, scoring with such tunes as "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," and "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight." He has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. $45, $65, at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets; 591-2211, 526-4400, or www.ticketplushawaii.com

The culture of Portugal will be celebrated in the next city-sponsored Hawai'i Ethnic Heritage Series, 7 p.m. today at Honolulu Hale. Among the offerings will be the Camoes Players (dances and folk songs by Josephine Carreira), Herb Ohta Jr.'s 'ukulele tribute, a historical presentation by Herb Carlos and the ethnic dances of Nossa Lindos ("Little Darlings"). Admission is free, with free parking in the Civic Center parking garage. 523-4674.

Holiday jam

"Jammin' Through the Holidays," featuring more than 50 children singing and dancing to yuletide favorites, gets into the spirit from 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis School. The show is presented by Jamarama Productions, a nonprofit organization that offers performing arts and educational classes for youngsters ages 5 to 17. It originally was scheduled for the Hawai'i Theatre, where tickets — $6, $12, $20 — and are still being sold at the box office. 528-0506, 561-1412.

New blues

KIPO Blues Night has a new twist: Hawai'i Public Radio staff and friends have formed a band called Jeff Said No, which will be the opening act of the blues fest at Anna Bannanas, 2440 S. Beretania St. Jeff Said No is composed of, from left, Spike Bradford, bass; Tom Hawley, lead guitar; Jeff Ilardi, drums; Don Russo, vocals; and Gene Evans, rhythm guitar. Why does the band have such an unusual name? Because every time a name was proposed to HPR production director Ilardi, Jeff said no. Bob Jones and Hard Drive is the featured band. It all takes place from 8:30 p.m. Saturday; admission is $7 general, $5 HPR members. 955-8821.

La Pietra's campus on the slopes of Diamond Head will be transformed this weekend for the annual Children's Fair, this year themed "More of Our Favorite Things!" Among the attractions will be pony rides, a petting zoo, games of all sorts, arts and crafts, entertainment, a magic show and food booths — all directed toward youngsters 2 to 12 years old (and their accompanying parents, let's not forget!). The fun takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 2933 Poni Moi Road. Admission is free, and a free shuttle will be ready and waiting at Kapi'olani Community College. 922-2744.

Music and the moon

Halloween is coming up soon, but if the prospect of little monsters knocking on your door doesn't appeal to you, there is an alternative: The final installment of this year's Aston Full Moon Concert Series will feature Kapena, Col÷n and a bit of Halloween magic from illusionist Michael Ching from 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night at the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. It's free. 931-1326, 944-4360.

Thank goodness it's Friday: A lineup of favorite Hawai'i performers is ready to welcome the weekend with a block party Saturday at Aloha Tower Marketplace. The musical lineup includes Thick Tubes, Ka'ala Boys, Mr. Van Ray, B.E.T., Kanalo, Col÷n, Ten Feet, Kapena, H-Dawg, Native Blend, Pati and Mana'o Company. Festivities take place 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Don Ho's and Kapono's. A $10 cover charge lets you into both venues. 566-0644.

Labor's legacy

"Celebrating the Legacy of Harry Bridges," a one-man stage presentation in honor of the 100th anniversary of the labor leader's birth, continues a tour of the Islands. The one-act, one-hour production, featuring stage and screen actor Ian Ruskin, is followed by discussion with the audience. The Australian-born Bridges, a social campaigner who fought for basic rights for workers as he struggled with his own deportation trials, was an international and national figure from the 1930s until his retirement in the early 1970s.

The schedule:

• 7:30 p.m. today, Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Free, with advance tickets from the UH Campus Center ticket office. 956-6878 to reserve by phone or for disability access information.
• 2 p.m. Saturday, Kaua'i Community College Theatre. Free.
• 2 p.m. Sunday, UH-Hilo Theatre. Free.

956-3836, www.outreach.hawaii.edu