The Buzz

The spin on the DJ beat

Someone's having a busy week. In addition to celebrating his seventh anniversary of club promotions as Double-O-Spot on Thursday, Greg Dehnert (aka DJ G-Spot) is again putting together the Pacific regional competition of the annual DMC World DJ Championship at Wave Waikiki Saturday. One of 13 "American Battleground" summer regionals that will ultimately send one U.S. representative to September's DMC world finals in London, tomorrow's all-vinyl competition is expected to match up 10 to 15 of the state's best predominately hip-hop turntablists. The event will also feature a performance by three-time DMC world champion DJ Craze (above). Spinning at Double-O-Spot's anniversary bash Thursday — also at Wave Waikiki — will be return visitors Goldie, DJ Funk, MC Rage, Doc Scot and a handful of local turntablists including Kavet the Catalyst, KSM, Daniel J, Scotty Soul and IKON. Both events are 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Tickets for DMC are $10 for ages 21 and older, $15 for ages 18 to 20. Double-O-Spot anniversary tickets are $15; 18 and older. 591-3500; 941-0424, ext. 12.

Express yourself at ArtSpree

ArtSpree 2002, a celebration of art through demos, music, dance and hands-on activities, will be staged 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at The Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive. Admission is free.

"It's the museum's gift to the community, a chance for interaction with artists and art, indoors and outdoors," said Marie Carvalho, the museum's marketing director. "There are educational activities and performances — plus many things for kids that are interactive."

Because parking is limited, car-pooling is suggested; there also will be free parking at Punahou School and the King Kalakaua Plaza garage (entrance is on Kalaimoku Street), with a free shuttle to and from the museum.

Among the festivities:

• Expression sessions, on the half-hour, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with masked creations led by Birgitta Leitner, Mark Norsbeth, Tina Gray, Alan Leitner and Suzy von Geldern.
• Artists' demos plus hands-on activities, all day, featuring the Glass Hui, glassblowing; Dr. Gadget, explorations in music; Dave Landry, wire sculpture; Mark Chai, cardboard sculpture; Grant Kagimoto, screenprinting; Carl Fieber and Rochelle Lum, ceramics; Suzanne Marinelli, fiber; and Cheri Keefer, face painting.
• Music, dance and performance arts, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at several sites, including the museum grounds, the galleries, the cafe lanai and at King Kalakaua Plaza.

For information, call 526-1322.

Plants, plants and more plants

Thousands of plants from more than 35 nurseries, fresh lei, jams and jellies, expert advice, books, T-shirts and activities for youngsters ... and free admission. The Lyon Arboretum Summer Plant Sale is just what many gardening fans are waiting for. Among the plants to be offered will be heliconias, gingers, fruit trees, herbs, ferns, ti, orchids, anthuriums, cacti, bonsai, bromeliads and too many more to list; a red hibiscus, "Kalola," will be introduced, too. Proceeds support the programs at the arboretum. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. 988-0464.

Garlic lovers, unite!

Ya gotta love garlic if you're planning to attend the pau hana Garlic Festival of Hawai'i, 4-10 p.m. Wednesday at Ward Warehouse. The third annual event will include — besides the lovely scent — entertainment, a garlic lover's store, wine-tasting tent and cocktail bar, fresh produce, garlic massages, garlic ice cream, a silent auction and lots of food for purchase by scrip. Among the restaurants offering their ware will be 3660 On the Rise, Side Street Inn, Parc Cafe and Dave & Busters. It's a benefit for the American Red Cross Hawai'i chapter. Admission is $2 general, free for kids 12 and younger. 545-4195.

A positive rap

Mo Luv (real name: David Moore), the rapper whose catchy "leave um where they're at" anti-smoking commercials are his current claim to island fame, will be asking young fans to celebrate reading, too, when he appears 1-2 p.m. Thursday at the McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library. It's part of the "Heroes @ Your Library" program. Admission is free. 973-1009.

The grand sounds of the piano

Piano teacher Doris Dudley rehearses with students in preparation for Pianomania 2002, which will feature 270 young pianists, ages 4-18, in each of two concerts Sunday afternoon. Pop, jazz and classic tunes are in store for music fans, as each selection will be performed by as many as 20 students on 10 grand pianos, directed by a teacher or guest conductor. Guest conductors include Aaron Mahi, director of the Royal Hawaiian Band; and Henry Miyamura, director of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa orchestra and the Youth Symphony. The concerts begin at 1:30 and 4 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall; a silent auction will be held before each concert. It's all sponsored by the Hawai'i Music Teachers Association. Tickets are $10.50, available at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets. 591-2211.

Immersed in the 'ukulele

Byron Yasui, above, and other musical notables such as Brother Noland and Kelly Boy DeLima will be among the workshop teachers at "'Ukulele 2002: A Weekend with the Masters" at Windward Community College. And when they say "masters," they mean "masters": Kupuna including Aunty Genoa Keawe, Sonny Kamahele, Bill Kaiwa and Melveen Leed also will conduct sessions. And 'ukulele makers also will lend their expertise. Participants choose two sessions each day from five tracks — beginners, players' performance class, open session, kupuna and 'ukulele construction. The weekend begins Saturday with registration at 8 a.m., and a keynote presentation by Leed at 9 a.m., and ends at 3:30 p.m. with pupu and a jam session. Sunday's program begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at concert at 3 p.m. and lu'au at 4:30 p.m. The cost for the full weekend of events is $150; or $85 each day plus $15 for the lu'au (20 percent discount for seniors). 235-7433, www.hawaiimusicinstitute.com.