The Buzz

Boys, oh boys

The koi will be flying all around the islands as Boys' Day, now known in Japan as Children's Day, will be celebrated in Hawai'i homes and at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in a festival 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. The festival, sponsored by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, includes hands-on activities for kids, taiko drum performances, martial arts demonstrations and mochi. Yo-yo expert Alan Nagao and his son Evan, who, at 5 years old, is a yo-yo champion in his own right, also will perform. Cultural note: Why is the koi (or carp) the most recognized symbol for Boys' Day? Because it represents strength, courage and determination — qualities desired in boys and girls alike — in its ability to fight strong currents and swim upstream. 945-7633.

Firmly planted

You won't need a green thumb to appreciate the beauty and elegance of orchids or bonsai plants, both of which are in the spotlights at separate events this weekend:

• The Pearl City Bonsai Club plays host to its annual event, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, 858 2nd St. Admission is free. 262-5873.
• The Manoa Orchid Society Show takes place 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Noelani School, 2655 Woodlawn Drive, in Manoa. Admission is free. 228-2880.

Artistry in motion

Admire the artistry of the School of Hawaii State Ballet, when it presents the annual student concert at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Mamiya Theatre on the St. Louis School campus. The students, under the direction of John Landovsky and Georgina Surles, will perform baroque classique pieces, followed by a "Stars and Stripes" presentation based on John Philip Sousa's work. All students in the Junior Company will be showcased, from 4-year-olds to adults. Tickets are $15, and can be charged by phone at 947-2755. Tickets will also be available at the door an hour before each performance.

'Rain'checks in

It was a silent movie in 1928 starring Gloria Swanson, then a talkies movie in 1932 with a startlingly young Joan Crawford, and again in 1953 with Rita Hayworth. It's a steamy tale about the prostitute Sadie Thompson, based on the short story titled "Miss Thompson" by Somerset Maugham. As a play and for the Crawford movie, it's titled "Rain," and beginning Wednesday it takes the stage at the Yellow Brick Studio starring Melinda Maltby in the lead role. The tale even has a Honolulu connection, as Sadie escapes a police raid in the Iwilei district and flees to Pago Pago. Showtimes for The Actors' Group production are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and repeating at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays through June 2. Tickets are $10. 591-7999.

Celebrating the water world

Hawai'i musical favorite Keali'i Reichel will wow the crowd at E Malama I Ke Kai Ocean Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of Bishop Museum. Also on the entertainment lineup are Makana, Maunalua, Believe, Ko'u Mana'o, Kupa'aina, Palapalai, Here Tama Nui and Halau Na Pua Lei o Liko Lehua. Other attractions include ocean exhibits, crafts, keiki games, a petting zoo, keiki ID, pony rides, a silent auction, food and, of course, the entire array of exhibits at the museum. Advance admission is $10 for a family of four, on sale at the museum, Borders Books & Music, Tower Records, Tower Video, Hale Noa and Hula Haven in Kapahulu; at-the-door admission will be $7.50 per person. All proceeds will go to Punana Leo O Kawaiaha'o and other Hawaiian immersion schools on the island. 847-3511.

It's magic!

Jimmy "Tengu the Magician" Yoshida, known as Hawai'i's Godfather of Magic and a member of the American Magicians Hall of Fame, is sure to have some tricks up his sleeves as he performs this weekend at Monty's Magic Theater, 1270 Queen Emma St., Suite 612. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. Admission is $12 general, $8 for kids under 12. It's a small performance space, so reservations are recommended: 524-1791.

In extreme

Dance fans, take note: 24-VII DanceForce, DanceForce Studio, Castle High School DanceForce and Pearl City DanceForce will be going to extremes in their spring dance concert, titled "Dance Xperience — The New Breed Dance Concert." Among the dance styles to be showcased will be contemporary jazz, jazz fusion, hip-hop, street and lyrical. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday at Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School in Kane'ohe. Tickets are $12 general, $10 advance; $7 for the Saturday matinee. 235-5141.

Get yer free comics!

The day after that very famous comic-book character "Spider-Man" climbs into theaters, Free Comic Book Day comes to a couple of state libraries and a few comic-book stores. Saturday's event, from 10 a.m. at the Waikiki-Kapahulu and McCully-Mo'ili'ili libraries (just show your library card to get the goodies, while supplies last) and at Gecko Books & Comics, Collector Maniacs, Jelly's and Blue Moos Comic & Collectibles is part of a nationwide (international, too) campaign to boost reading and increase interest in libraries. 973-1055, 733-8491.

Oh, lei!

James Grant Benton (yep, the Booga Booga fella) will play host to a program of dances about lei, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre. The event is part of a belated Lei Day program, "Lei Aloha," at Ward Warehouse, where the May Day Queen and Court also will appear, along with Halau Hula O Hokulani. A Temari-sponsored lei contest, 9-11 a.m., also will be featured, with contestants required to string their lei on the spot (sorry, entry deadline has past). Benton also talks story with DeSoto Brown, Hawaiiana collector and author, who comments: "I think it's interesting how a Hawaiian tradition evolved the way of lei-making did. Hawaiians adapted the concept to use many different types of things to make a lei," says Brown. He'll show some examples of non-floral lei — inspiration for your next year's May Day project. Free.

Another weekend, another pair of Sunsets

This was the scene at last week's Sunset on the Beach, which featured the island debut of that popular purple dino Barney and his pals. Crowd estimates range from 25,000 to 30,000 total attendance for the two days of Sunsets. Well, Barney has come and gone, but the Sunset events are still happening at Queen's Surf this weekend, with movies on a 30-foot screen beginning at 7 p.m. (Bruce Willis and crew in "Armageddon" Saturday, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in "The Mask of Zorro" Sunday), entertainment, food for purchase and the oh-so-free great outdoors of Waikiki. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. 523-2489, 923-1094.

Begin the sublime

"Sacred Sounds: Sublime Sacred Music for Voices and Instruments" is the title of a concert by the Hawai'i Vocal Arts Ensemble, to be held, appropriately enough, in the recently renovated Mystical Rose Oratory of Chaminade University. The vocal ensemble, under the direction of Timothy Carney, will offer music from the Renaissance, Classical and 20th-century Romantic periods and contemporary pieces. Songs include Mozart's Mass in B Flat, Josquin Des Pres' "Ave Maria ... Virgo Serena," Arvo Pärt's "Bogoroditse Devo" and Pablo Casals'Ê"O Vos Omnes." The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 general, $25 preferred seating, $12.50 students, seniors and military. 524-0815, Ext. 245.

Boing!

New on the nightclubs scene is the dance party "Bounce!" which takes off 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday at 111 N. King St., second floor, between Maunakea and Kekaulike streets in Chinatown. Some details:

Enter through a back alley door and arrive at Center Stage, a room of marble floors, laser lights and crystal chandeliers. The Reflections Room offers a wall of mirrors so you can check out your own dance moves.

Wanted: magicians, belly dancers, break dancers, body-painting artists, other creative types who aren't shy about strutting their stuff. Impromptu performances on several stages are welcomed.

International deep-house music, tribal house and lounge sounds are also part of the "Bounce!" experience.

The hope is it'll be a monthly party, but "Bounce!" could bounce to other venues — "it's ever moving," says organizer Lance Rae.

More than 1,500 partyers are expected, and the venue can hold even more, says Rae's organizing partner Taunee Williams. Admission is $10, but if you want to show off your legitimate talent and RSVP, you can get in free (be prepared to demonstrate at the door).

"Bounce!" is for party folks 21 and older. Valet parking (enter from Nimitz Highway) at "Bounce!" is $2; other parking lots are available, too. 537-9457.

Music and food and Massive appeal

A whole lot of music, food and even a beer garden for those old enough to imbibe will be part of the Summer Makahiki Massive 7 p.m.-midnight today at Chaminade University. Five bands are scheduled to perform: Quadraphonix (calypso acid jazz), Ooklah the Moc (roots reggae), Wrecking Crew (rasta funk), Lose Money (surf rock), Inoa'ole (Hawaiian) and DJ Big Bear (reggae dancehall). The makahiki is open to all, and it's even for a good cause: All profits will go to the Hawaii Foodbank. Admission is $5, but the fee will be waived if you bring in a substantial canned food donation. 277-8840.