The Buzz
Farewell to 2002 ... welcome, 2003!
A new year is upon us, which means fireworks, lots of food, family and friends gathering for that final toast of 2002, and much partying at home and at the many happening nightspots. See our New Year's eve calendar and TGIF staff recommendations on where to go for the biggest blasts on Pages 14-16. And Happy New Year to all!
Welcome the New Year with Beethoven
Ring in the New Year in triumphant style with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and its presentation of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at 8 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Beethoven's creation, a celebration of peace, tolerance and humanity, will be conducted by maestro Samuel Wong, who will be joined by chorus director Karen Kennedy, as well as soprano Mary Chesnut, mezzo soprano Milagro Vargas, tenor Laurence Paxton and baritone Leslie "Buz" Tennent.
Tickets, $27-$72, are available at the Blaisdell box office and all Ticket Plus outlets. Also, visit www.honolulusymphony.com or call 792-2000.
The last of the blues for 2002
Organizers of the year's last KIPO Blues Night, Saturday at Anna Bannanas, promise "a feast of authentic Southern blues and Southern cooking." Kicking things off will be KIPO's house band Jeff Said No! at 8 p.m., followed by Slim Mango, above, at 9 p.m.
The event, co-sponsored by Kona Brewing Co. and the Shrimp Shack, also includes free servings of shrimp courtesy of the shack, as well as jambalaya, honey-barbeque cold pork and other Southern specialties for a minimum charge from Kevin's Two Boots of Kailua.
Cover charge at the door is $7, $5 for Hawai'i Public Radio members. 955-8821.
A birthday party fit for a queen
Step back in time to the golden era of Hawaiian royalty through special evening tours today and Saturday at 'Iolani Palace.
The first-floor tours of the palace and self-guided tours of the galleries in the basement have become a popular annual tradition for nearly 10 years, and commemorates the Dec. 31 birthday of Queen Kapi'olani.
Adding to the ambience of the period celebration will be lanterns throughout the palace and grounds, and dozens of roses adorning the Blue, State Dining and Throne rooms. Musical guests each evening include Anuhea Brown, Ron Miyashiro and others.
And the experience would not be complete without a peek at royal treasures, including the crown jewels, a feather cloak of Kiwala'o and a procession of kahili.
The palace doors will open at 6 each evening. Admission is $5, $2 for ages 13-18, and free for kids 12 and younger; children 5 and younger must be held. Guests will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. 522-0832 or 522-0827.
In the Japanese tradition
Get ahead on the New Year's festivities with the Mochi Tsuki Program 2003, in which 20 volunteers will be pounding 100 pounds of sweet rice, starting 1 p.m. today at the Kuakini Hale Pulama Mau Auditorium.
But making mochi isn't the only thing on the plate at the program. Performers include the Aloha and 'Ukulele bands from the Tenrikyo Children's Association, Echo Ilima choir group, Suzu No Kai dancers and Enka singers.
The free event is being put on for the resident elders of Kuakini Hale Pulama Mau, but the public is welcome to share in the activities. 947-1750.
Celebrating African-American roots
Family, community and culture will be the focus at the Academy Art Center's Kwanzaa Celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today and Saturday.
"It is a uniquely African-American celebration," said coordinator Phyllis Nakasone.
The origins of Kwanzaa, which is traditionally celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, are traced back to the first harvest celebrations of Africa hundreds of years ago. The holiday was founded 1966 in America by Dr. Maulana Karenga to restore rootedness in African culture.
The center's Kwanzaa celebration, presented in partnership with The Links Inc., includes a book fair, poetry reading, hands-on workshops and a cooking demonstration with free samples.
Admission is free, but there is an additional fee for the quilting workshops and the showing of the films "Rabi" and "Sia" at Doris Duke at the Academy (call the center for prices and times for films). 532-8741.
Hot stuff at the Hawai'i Theatre
"Forever Tango," the hot Argentine dance production, continues to burn up the stage at the Hawai'i Theatre with shows at 7:30 p.m. today, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $22.50-$55. 528-0506, 593-8333.
