The Buzz
Rap it up at the water park
Rap icons Naughty By Nature, above, will add some hip-hop flava to the Van's Triple Crown Pipeline Masters Kick-off Party 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.
The group — best known for its '90s hits "O.P.P." and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" — will rock the West Side along with rappers Lil' Rob and Shade Shiest, and "Hip Hop Diva" Angelina.
Preceding the concert will be a surfing exhibition with pro surfers Andy Irons, Kelly Slater, Kalani Robb and others. Slater will also challenge some lucky winners to play against him in his new Activision Kelly Slater Pro Surfer game on an XBox hooked to a big screen; the first contestant to beat the surfer scores an XBox console.
The all-ages party, presented by Coors Light and I-94, is part of The Van's Triple Crown of Surfing series of festivities celebrating the 20th anniversary of the legendary surf competition. Tickets are $22 in advance, $28 at the gate. Purchase tickets at any Ticket Plus outlets, visit ticketplushawaii.com or call 526-4400.
Spin time with Perry Farrell
Perry Farrell — of Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros fame, and now a deejay — returns to Honolulu for a gig at 9 p.m. today at the Maze. Joining Farrell for the one-night concert will be Mark Lewis (Ministry of Sound) and Germany's DJ Von Shock. Tickets are $10 and $15 at the door; for 18 and older. 921-5800.
Upscale block party in Waikiki
Talk about trés chic. Celebrate the grand opening of 2100 Kalakaua Ave. — a Waikiki block, made up of Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Tod's and Boucheron — at a black-tie affair 6:30 p.m. today.
A two-block section of Kalakaua Avenue will be closed off to make room for the festivities and musical acts Na Leo Pilimehana, the Kenny Endo Taiko ensemble and a grand finalé with soul legend Al Green, above. The catered cuisine will be provided by several restaurants, including Indigo.
Tickets are $175 per person (tax deductible); 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to eight art and cultural partners. 550-4449.
The watermelon guy comes to town
Have a smashing good time — literally — at Gallagher's Sledge-O-Matic Show, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Blaisdell Concert Hall.
The comedian, who offers comments reflecting his rather ironic observations of society, will shower audiences with pulverized apples, oranges, pies, cottage cheese, and of course, the infamous watermelons. Those hoping to score seats up front should gear up with raincoats, goggles, sunglasses or umbrellas.
Tickets are $20, $25 or $35, and are available at the box office, all Ticket Plus outlets and select military locations, or call 526-4400.
There's a Maui show, too: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Amphitheater. Purchase tickets at the center's box office or call (808) 242-7469.
Back to Bach
Formed in 1973 by five Juilliard graduates, the Aulos Ensemble is heralded today as one of the world's leading performers on baroque instruments. Deemed one of the first American "original instrument" ensembles, Christopher Krueger (flute), Marc Schachman (oboe), Linda Quan (violin), Myron Lutzke (cello) and Arthur Haas (harpsichord), along with vocalist Julianne Baird, will perform "A Baroque Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. today in the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium. Presented by the University of Hawai'i Presents and the Honolulu Chamber Music Series, the concert will include works by Bach, Vivaldi, Scarlatti and traditional carols. Before the concert, there will also be a free "meet the artist" session at 6:30 p.m. in the UH Music Building, Room 36. Concert tickets are $24 general, $15 for students. 956-6878, 956-3836, www.outreach.hawaii.edu.
On the lighter side
A collection of three short comedies of the classical kyogen theater of Japan will take to the stage with "Kyogen: Laughter for All Time," presented by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance at the Kennedy Theatre main stage.
The show, translated and directed by Julie A. Iezzi, features plays that use farcical situations, physical humor, mime, and song and dance. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today, Saturday, Thursday and Dec. 13-14, and 2 p.m. Dec. 15. There will also be free pre-show demonstrations to give audiences insight into the kyogen theater, 7 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 14 at the main stage.
Tickets for the show are $3-$12, and are available at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets, or by visiting www.ticketplushawaii.com or calling 526-4400. Details: 956-7655.
Ho, ho, ho
Get into the holiday spirit with Ho'okena's Christmas concert, "Home for the Holidays III." Join group members Ama Aarona, Manu Boyd, Horace K. Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen Smith as they perform traditional and contemporary Hawaiian stylings. Hula soloist Nani Dudoit, hula halau and other special guests provide extra yuletide treats. The show takes place 6 p.m. Saturday at Mamiya Theatre, on the St. Louis School campus. Tickets are $30. 524-4845.
Jim Nabors and pals put on a show
The ever-jolly Jim Nabors returns for a sixth year of "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors," 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Hawai'i Theatre.
The concert, showcasing traditional and Hawaiian holiday tunes, features Jimmy Borges, Philip Huber, Karen Keawehawai'i and Emma Veary. Rounding out the entertainment are the Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, Halau Kawaili'ula, the Huber Marionettes with David Alexander, Hula Hui O Kupunahala O' Nuuanu YMCA, the Company Singers and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Pops conductor Matt Catingub.
Tickets are $45 and $55, plus a theater restoration charge of $2, at the theater box office, or call 528-0506.
Rock on the metal side
Die-hard fans of '80s heavy metal band Quiet Riot can "Party All Night" with the rockers at a concert 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Gussie L'Amour's.
The rock band, best known for its '80s hits "Cum on Feel the Noize" and "Bang Your Head," will be joined by openers Slug. Admission is $12 in advance, $15 at the door; for 21 and older. 836-7883.
