The Buzz
Spin Master Michael comes to town
DJ Thomas Michael, one of the most in-demand spinners, headlines a giant turntablist event, "Mid-Summer Massive," from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday at 111 N. King. St. (also known as One-Eleven). Michael, known for his ability to read a crowd and get it moving, has generated dance frenzies on the Mainland, in Canada and in Mexico, and has released a dozen tapes and several CDs. Also on the Massive bill are G-Spot, PSI, DJ Dawn, Big Daddy Dave, Karat, Trypticon, Mindgame and Bassment Addicts. All ages are welcome, but the full bar is for those 21 and older, of course. Admission to the Massive is $17 at the door. Limited pre-sale tickets — at $10 — are available at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), Hungry Ear in Kailua and Virus Nightclub. Call 951-9881 for information.
'Brunch' moves to Kapi'olani Park
How about crab hash Benedict (on brioche with poached egg and lobster sauce)? Or a grilled chicken and veggie wrap? Or baked mahi with wasabi aoli? These will be among the tasty offerings at "Brunch on the Beach," which moves Sunday to a new location in Waikiki, Kapi'olani Park, near the bandstand. The monthly gathering will showcase more than 30 salads, entrees, desserts and snacks, and 15 specialty drinks; and entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band (9 a.m.), the keiki of Halau Hula Olana (10 a.m.), a surprise performer (11 a.m.), and headliners Henry Kapono and his band (noon). Brunch hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (scrip sales begin at 8:30 a.m.). Admission is free. 523-2489, 923-1094.
All that jazz continues
The Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, launched last night at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, continues tonight at the Blaisdell and Saturday and Sunday on Maui:
• "Latin Jazz Night," featuring flute great Herbie Mann, prodigy Alex Han, above, Eric Marienthal, the San Diego State University Big Band and others, begins at 7 tonight.
• "Vocal Jazz Night" includes the Four Freshmen, Marienthal, University of Southern California Thornton Jazz Orchestra, Buddy Childers, Tierney Sutton, Alan Kaplan with Shelly Berg. It begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Outrigger Wailea Resort's Aulani Ballroom.
• "Hawaiian Jazz Night and Scholarship Giveaways" features Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Jake Shimabukuro, Keahi Conjugacion, Sam Ahia, Gabe Baltazar, David Choy, Jimmy Borges, Alex Han and more; plus music scholarship awards. Concert time is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Aulani Ballroom.
Tickets are $20, $35, $40; $5 for students with ID; $5 discount with two-night purchase; $5 discount for single tickets for Foodland Maika'i card holders, military and those 65 and older. On O'ahu: 591-2211 (Blaisdell) or 526-4400 (Ticket Plus); on Maui, at Maui Tacos, Borders, Tropical Disc, Maui Symphony, Outrigger Wailea, Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, Groove 2 Music.
The Advertiser is a sponsor of the jazz festival.
A gleaming good time
Foster Botanical Garden will be transformed into a wonderland of lion dances, glowing rocks and minerals, storytelling and other delights at the annual "Midsummer Night's Gleam," 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Those other delights include feng shui advice, entertainment by the Pacific Fleet Jazz Band, Skylark and more, keiki crafts, Kwan Yin fortune sticks readings, a Tanabata wish tree, and craft vendors, food and drinks. Admission is free. 522-7060, 537-1708.
Slack key from Kaua'i
Slack-key artist and composer Cindy Combs comes to Honolulu from her Kaua'i home for a concert at Hawai'i Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio. Combs, whose latest compact disc is "Slack Key Lady" on the Dancing Cat label, will offer classics and new works. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday at 738 Kaheka St. Tickets are $15 general, $12.50 for HPR members, $10 for students. 955-8821.
Dedicated to hula traditions
The tiniest dancers from 25 halau will be looking to win some recognition in the 27th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition, beginning Thursday at the Blaisdell Arena. Children 6 to 12 years old compete for Miss and Master Keiki Hula (Thursday, from 6 p.m.); and in group kahiko (July 26, from 6 p.m.) and group 'auana (July 27, from noon). The event is sponsored by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society Inc. Tickets, which go on sale tomorrow, are $8.50 for arena/loges and $7.50 for upper levels. 591-2211.
Raising their voices in song
More than 300 youngsters from six choirs across the United States are exploring the joys of music, dance, instruments, language and storytelling as part of the weeklong Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival. The sessions are taking place at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i and at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and will culminate in two public concerts:
• 7 p.m. Saturday at the BYUH Cannon Center Auditorium. Free. 595-0233.
• 7 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. $12 general, $10 seniors, students, military, free for kids under 5. 591-2211. Also taking part in the concert will be 'ukulele specialist Bruce Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo's taiko drummers, Filipino tinikling dancers and erhu master Benjamin Sun.
Here come the brides
The Hawaii Bridal Expo gathers the zillions of elements — from accessories to entertainment, florists to videographers — that make that special wedding day one to remember. Brides and grooms and curious computer users can log onto www.bridesclub.com to check out the vendors and get a $1 discount coupon for admission (after filling out some information, that is). Expo hours are 6 to 10 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Center. Admission is $8.
Hale'iwa pulls out all the stops
Hale'iwa might mean shave ice at Aoki's or Matsumoto's for many townies, but once a year, the community also hosts a two-day festival of arts and crafts, entertainment, storytelling and kids' activities called the Hale'iwa Arts Festival. Works of art in all manner of media and form, from ceramics to watercolors, jewelry to fabric, glass and photography, will be juried, on view and available for purchase. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hale'iwa Beach Park. Food and drink will be available at the park and at the eateries in Hale'iwa town; there's free trolley service throughout the town, too. Admission is free. 637-2277.
