The Buzz

Dino-mite! Barney sets sights on 'Sunset'

Cynical adults might sneer, but the little ones still love the heck out of that sweet, nonthreatening purple dinosaur, Barney, who'll make a special appearance at this weekend's "Sunset on the Beach" events in Waikiki. The occasion is the world debut of the video "Barney's Beach Party," which was written in Hawai'i by Stephen White while he was visiting his parents, who retired here. After the video screening each day at 7 p.m., Barney, Baby Bop and BJ will take the stage and lead a sing-along.

The featured films, to be shown at 8 p.m. on a 30-foot screen, will be the Academy Award-winning "Shrek" on Saturday and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" Sunday. Both are animated films, but contain references and humor tailored for adults (don't forget, naughty Eddie Murphy supplied the donkey's voice in "Shrek"; and "Roger" had a frighteningly evil villain).

Of course there'll be lots of food and drink for purchase while you enjoy the great outdoors near Queen's Surf.

Admission is free. 523-4385, 923-1094.

An outdoor concert at KCC

Na 'Oiwi — from left, David Kamakahi, Jon Yamasato, Dennis Kamakahi and Mike Ka'awa — have the opening-act honors at a free outdoor concert, 7-10 p.m. Saturday on the campus mall lawn of Kapi'olani Community College. Performances by KCC talent-show winners follow at 8:15 p.m.; special guest Na Leo Pilimehana takes over at 9 p.m. Besides the music and the great outdoors in the shadows of Diamond Head, another attraction is the food booths sponsored by student clubs. Bring mats and blankets, too. Parking is free. 734-9576.

Twins on the violins

Meet twin brothers Dan and Duane Padilla and Andrea and Francesca (their affectionately named violins) in a concert of rarely heard duets by Prokofiev and Miklos Rosza and Gregorian chants by Jacques Berthier, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St. The brothers, known as The Gemini Duo, recently joined the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and have toured Southern California, New York, Boston, Colorado, Connecticut, Chicago and the Philippines. Tickets are $15 general, $10 students. 394-0788.

Tearing down the walls

Don't be fooled by the somewhat tame title: "The Yellow Wallpaper," a Late Night Theatre production, takes on themes of societal pressures and a woman's personal turmoil. It's based on an 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, in which a woman (played by Kathy Hunter) is diagnosed with hysteria after the birth of her child. Her husband, a physician, prescribes a rest cure in which she is forbidden to read, write or interact with anyone, including her child. She thus sinks deeper into postpartum depression and becomes obsessed with the Women in the Walls, who represent her inner turmoil as she struggles within her prison. Show times are 10:30 p.m. Saturday and May 3-4; and 8 p.m. Sunday at Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. A post-show chat with the director, playwrights, choreographer and actors will take place May 3. Tickets are $7 general, $6 seniors, military, faculty, non-UH students; $3, UH students. Those tickets go on sale at the door just an hour before each performance, and latecomers will not be admitted. 956-7655.

Spring has sprung new products

Jewelry, handbags, clothing, a portable spa, bubble tea drinks, pasteles ... The 27th annual Spring New Products Show this weekend at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall offers more than 300 booths of stuff and more stuff, food samples, cars, home-improvement ideas, collectibles, crafts, health and fitness items for purchase or perusal. More than 17,000 took in the expo last spring, so expect a big crowd. Hours are 5-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4 general, $3 seniors, military and kids 7-12 years old, free for keiki 6 and under with paying adult. 945-3594.

Daniel Ho and friends

Slack-key and 'ukulele specialist Daniel Ho offers an evening of jazz, folk and blues, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the newly renovated Honolulu Academy of Arts theater. And he won't be alone. Noel Okimoto (percussion),ÊDean Taba (bass) and former University of Hawai'i volleyball star Andrea Tukuafu (vocals) will join in on the grooves. Ho's most recent CD release is the 'ukulele-focused "Pineapple Mango"; he'll preview cuts from another soon-to-be-released solo album at Saturday's concert. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. 532-8700.

Laugh it up

Matt Kazam and Mike Siegel are "2 Funny 'Haole' Guys," appearing at 8 p.m. Saturday at World Cafe. Kazam is a veteran standup comic who's appeared on TV's "Mad TV," "Late Friday," Comedy Central and more. He opened for comic Pauley Shore last year in Honolulu. Siegel, too, is a longtime comic who has appeared on VH-1's "The List," "Late Friday" and other television shows. He also had a role in "Traffic," the Oscar-winning Steven Soderbergh film. Doors open at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15, available at World Cafe, Tower Records, Tower Video and Cheapo Music. 585-2877.

It's a small world after all

"Runny Nose Boy," "Da Bugga Like Eat," "No Tigers in Borneo" and "The Frog Dance," based on folk and fairy tales from Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Alaska, make up "Runny Noses, Tiny Tails," one of two stage productions for keiki launching this weekend. The other, "Musubi Man," based on the book by Sandi Takayama and adapted by Advertiser columnist and playwright Lee Cataluna, is a local takeoff on "The Gingerbread Man" tale. Both Honolulu Theatre for Youth shows will be staged at the McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park. Showtimes:

• "Runny Noses, Tiny Tails": 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and May 4, 11 and 18 (sign-interpreted at the 4:30 p.m. May 18 show). Recommended for those age 4 and older.
• "Musubi Man": 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and May 4 and 11 (sign-interpreted at the 1:30 p.m. May 11 show). Takayama will sign books and answer questions after the 10:30 a.m. shows Saturday and May 11. Recommended for those 3 and older. Free presentations also take place 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 'Aina Haina Public Library; and 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Wai'anae Public Library.

Tickets for either show are $10 general, $7.50 students, $5 kids age 3-12 and seniors over 60. It's free for keiki 2 and younger, but they still need a ticket. 839-9885.

'Down' and out

Ed Dyer is Turner in a new and decidedly dark comedy titled "Down," written by Eric Yokomori and directed by Tony Pisculli. It's the tale of the intertwined lives of three couples and their children, a bungled suicide, a freak accident and a revenge fantasy. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday and May 3 at the Little Theatre of Windward Community College and 8 p.m. May 10-11 at Leeward Community College's Lab Theatre. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. It's free, but seating is limited. 261-5080.

Fair game for gifts

Just in time for Mother's Day, which is May 12, in case you were wondering, are the Pacific Handcrafters Guild fair and the Original Spring Faire.

• The 28th annual handcrafters fair showcases the creations of more than 50 artisans specializing in wood, pottery, glass, jewelry, clothing and fine arts. A tent will feature games and toys for the keiki while grown-ups shop. Other attractions include a craft demonstration tent, a police car and fire truck to inspire the young ones (and older ones, too), and food and entertainment. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Thomas Square. Admission is free. 841-0171.
• The Original Spring Faire is an evening boutique of clothing, art objects, jewelry, plants, food, books and other gifts that might light up Mom's eyes. Need other reasons to shop? Don't forget Boys Day (May 5) and the assorted graduations looming. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Thursday in the Manoa Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Admission is free. 735-2186.