The Buzz
Sounds of the South Pacific
Te Vaka, which was scheduled to perform on O'ahu last September — that is, before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 threw things into a frenzy — finally comes to town for a concert at World CafŽ. The 10-piece New Zealand band offers a show of songs and dances reflecting its South Seas cultural influences, so the audience can expect the sounds and styles of Maori, Samoan, Tokelauan and Tuvaluan nations, with the performers in colorful costumes and musicians playing, among other things, drums that date back to earlier generations. Te Vaka ("the canoe" in Tokelau) has been touring the world for the past five years. The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 general, $15 advance. 585-4666.
Also, Te Vaka offers a show on Maui, 7:30 p.m. today at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are $10, $16, $20 general, with half-price tickets for kids under 12. (808) 242-SHOW.
For pets and their people
Every dog, cat, rabbit, bird and other pet critter has his day; this weekend they'll have two very special days as the Hawaii Pet Expo 2002 takes over the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The expo, celebrating National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week (May 5-11), is sponsored by the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association to promote responsible pet ownership. Among the attractions are an Ask-A-Vet booth for free advice, an animal-treats cooking demonstration, Poi Dog Show (11 a.m. Saturday), Household Cat Show (11:30 a.m. Sunday), Hawaiian Kennel Club Puppy Match (noon Sunday) and a petting zoo. Add to that demonstrations, exhibits and the latest in pet products. Humans can bring their pets, but dogs must be leashed and all pets must be controlled at all times: After all, they're ANIMALS! Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but nonperishable donations to the Hawaii Foodbank are encouraged. 845-1762.
Big on the bassoon
Guest performer Crawford Best and Honolulu Symphony Bassoon Quartet members Philip Gottling III, Marsha Schweitzer and Paul Barrett will offer a program of classical and whimsical music in a concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hawai'i Public Radio's Atherton Performing Arts Studio. The pieces will include Renaissance works, 19th-century opera, "Peter and the Wolf" and — yes! — "Rubber Ducky" (made super famous by muppet Ernie of "Sesame Street" fame) and "Plink, Plank, Plunk." Tickets are $15 general, $12.50 HPR members, $10 students. Reservations: 955-8821.
Those were the days
And now, let us harken back to the days of hula maidens in cellophane and/or grass skirts, beach boys (not those Beach Boys) from pre-statehood, territorial Hawai'i. That's the theme of "An Evening in Old Hawai'i — Waikiki Calls,1" a fund-raising dinner staged by KCAA Pre-Schools of Hawai'i. Radio host Harry B. Soria Jr. and a lineup of nostalgic music-makers, including the Royal Hawaiian Band, Pa'ahana, Rayburn "Chan" Abenes, I. Mihana and dancers from Halau Kamamolikolehua, Na Pua Waiho'olu and Na Pua Pilialoha, will set the mood. In addition to the music and dancing, there will be a dinner and a silent auction laden of estate jewelry, art objects, dining certificates, travel packages and more. The trip down memory lane begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Monarch Room, Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Tickets are $100. 941-9414, ext. 16.
Cool Cats
Sit back and relax at "From the Mokaki Lounge," as poetry and music blend for an eclectic experience. The Mokaki Band provides the tunes while poets Joe Balaz, Katana and Steve Kealoha Wong deliver the spoken word. The band, which provided the music for Imaikalani Kalahele's CD "Kalahele," is a loose group of musicians experimenting with expression through music, poetry and elements of theater. The drawing above, by Balaz, symbolizes the synergy of the three poets involved with music and poetry. This fusion of arts starts at 7 p.m. Saturday in the University of Hawai'i Art Auditorium. It's free. 237-8236.
Three generations of women
"If We Are Women," a drama by Joanna McClelland Glass, makes its Hawai'i debut at Army Community Theatre's Sunday@2 Matinee Readers Theatre. The drama, directed and adapted by Vanita Rae Smith, tells the story of three generations of women — a novelist in grief over the death of her lover; her mother, an illiterate farm wife; her ex-mother-in-law, an agnostic Jewish intellectual; and her 18-year-old daughter, who announces a turnabout in her plans for the future. The cast of theater readers includes Kathe James, Shari Lynn, Richard Pellett as the narrator, Jo Pruden and Jayme B. Shirrell. Showtimes are 2 p.m. Sunday and May 19 and 26 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Tickets are $6. Reservations: 438-4480, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Young talent, and tobacco free, too
"An Evening Under the Stars," a middle-school talent competition, will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Bishop Museum.
The fourth annual competition is sponsored by the Hawaii Schools Federal Credit Union. Youths 11 through 13 from 23 O'ahu middle schools are competing as singers, dancers and variety acts.
What's unusual about this contest: Besides showcasing talent, finalists must deliver a brief speech on why they are tobacco-free. The most promising speech will win an American Lung Association of Hawaii award.
Tickets are $5 at the door, with proceeds benefitting the American Lung Association. 521-0302.
Time for T
T-Shirt Theatre, a project of the Alliance for Drama Education, will present "Kala," a play reflecting on the way money moves in our lives. A 25-member cast of students from Farrington High School will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. today in Farrington High School's auditorium. The actors and staff wrote the pieces that make up the 20-scene play, with issues ranging from real-life situations to the power of money. After the show, the a cappella group Unison — four Farrington grads — will preview the 12 songs they will record with "Kala" ticket profits. The play is directed by George Kon, produced by Walt Dulaney and choreographed by Grace Humerickhouse. Admission is $5. 732-0153.
A benefit 'Concert Under the Stars'
Head for the windward side of the island for lots of music, food and the lovely setting of Lanikai. The 10th annual Lanikai School "Concert Under the Stars," 3-10 p.m. Saturday, will feature the sounds of the Opihi Pickers, The Park Ratz, Honolulu Boy Choir, I. Mihana, Kahala Moon and SUGahDADDY. Other attractions include pony rides, a Bounce House and a silent auction; food and drink will be available for purchase. Profits will go toward classroom supplies and learning material. Bring mats or low chairs to enjoy the goings-on all day. Tickets are $12 general, $10 advance (available before and after school today and at the office), $5 for those 55 and older and kids 12 and younger, free for keiki under 3. 266-7844.
Students of hula
Public, private, middle and high schools ... Students from more than 20 schools will compete in the Hawai'i Secondary Schools Hula Kahiko Competition beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kapolei Middle School's cultural mound. Troupes will test their hula skills in kane, wahine and hui 'ia (combined) categories; the Hawaiian language in each competition mele also will be judged. The event is sponsored by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society to give youngsters the opportunity to compete against their peers. Bring your lawn chairs and umbrellas; don't bring coolers or tents. Tickets are $6. 521-6905.
Teaming up
Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) grand master Riley Lee and slack-key guitarist Jeff Peterson team up for a concert in support of their second compact disc, "Bamboo Slack Key," 7:30 p.m. today at the Honolulu Academy of Arts theater. Lee has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and toured extensively in Asia, the Mainland, Europe and Australia. Peterson, who also specializes in classical and jazz guitar, learned ki ho'alu from paniolo of Haleakala Ranch. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for museum members, seniors and students. 532-8700.
When jazz meets the classics
Vocalist Anita Hall joins the Hawaii Chamber Orchestra strings and the Clyde Pound All-Star Concert Jazz Orchestra in an evening of musical crossovers titled "The Classics Visit Jazz." The All-Stars include Clyde Pound on keyboard, Steve Jones on bass, Scott Shafer on drums, Bryan Kessler on guitar, Lance Wysong on trumpet, Gary Chun on trumpet, Curtis Abe on trombone and Bill Beimes on alto sax. The concert, part of the Chamber Orchestra Society's Cameo series, begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Unity Church, Diamond Head Circle. Tickets are $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 students, free for kids under 12. Park at the nearby Waikiki Elementary School on Monsarrat. 734-0397.
A benefit at Hawai'i Theatre
Island musical legend Auntie Genoa Keawe and a host of other entertainers will take the Hawai'i Theatre stage in a benefit concert for the Hawaiian charter school Halau Ku Mana. The concert also features Amy Hanaiali'i, Na Palapalai, Halau Ke Kia'i A O Hula (led by kumu Kapi'olani Ha'o) and guest artists. Halau Ku Mana, in the University of Hawai'i's Center for Hawaiian Studies, is in its first year. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. 945-1401, 386-1363, 528-0506.
