The Buzz

Fill up on punk sounds Saturday

Two Big Island bands head to O'ahu for a punk rock bash Saturday. Sideline Hero from Hilo, brings its punk metalcore sound with members Mikala Gahan (guitar), Dawson Leyva (guitar), Juan Robinson (drums), Scott Wagner (vocals), and Jacob Joao (bass). Not Mother jams over from Kona with its punk/emo groove and members John and Chris Stimac (vocals and guitar), Paul Gubser (vocals and bass) and Josh Rawlins (drums).

Olivia, The Ex-Superheroes and Push the Pedal also will perform.

The all-ages party takes place from 6:30-9 p.m. at Island Club and Cafe, formerly known as Pink Cadillac. Cover is $5 at the door.

Swing into spring

Hippity hop

Easter is right around the corner, and that means baskets, eggs and bunnies. To help properly prepare a home for any new additions, several free BunnyCares workshops will be held now until Easter. BunnyCares workshops, now in their fourth year, are dedicated to responsible, healthy and loving rabbit care.

The first workshop, with Cinde Fisher, takes place noon to 1 p.m. Sunday at Borders Waikele. The focus is on correct diet, proper handling, litterbox training, the importance of spaying/neutering, home "bunnyproofing" and behavioral problems/medical concerns.

The next workshop will be from noon to 2 p.m. April 13 at Borders Ward Centre with live bunnies and veterinarian Tom Chlebecek. The final workshop is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 at Ward Warehouse, with a petting zoo and a lecture by Fisher. 381-5545.

Care bears

"We are trying to collect 3,665 bears, which is the number of confirmed cases of child abuse in Hawai'i last year," said program director Aileen Deese. "Last year, we did not reach our goal, so we're really trying hard to get our word out to the public this year."

Each household that donates a bear will receive a gift and a blue ribbon to promote child-abuse prevention. 951-0200.

Jazz up your night

New York City jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini, above, and bassist Byron Yasui team up Saturday for a Honolulu Academy of Arts concert, "The Return of the Gentle Giants of Jazz."

Bertoncini, whose gigs have included "The Tonight Show," the Metropolitan Opera orchestra and performing with Tony Bennett, has been called "the best living exponent of jazz on the classical guitar" by Gene Lees of the Jazzletter. Yasui, a music professor at the University of Hawai'i, is a classical and jazz musician.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $18 for art academy members. 532-8700.

Richly rewarded

Farrington High School's T-Shirt Theatre explores the theme of "social capital" in "FriendRICH," written and performed by the acting troupe.

The play explores how looking out for each other as friends helps keep the aloha spirit alive. Pieces address themes such as gangs, gossip and brothers as friends. There also will be an aloha bow by graduating seniors and "Dancing on a Whirling Globe," a celebration by Farrington's ethnic clubs.

The play will be performed from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the Farrington High School auditorium. Tickets are $5. 732-0153, 220-5003.

Classical concert

Works for trombone, soprano and percussion will be presented during "Trombone Expressions," a Lutheran Church of Honolulu Nachtmusiken concert.

Honolulu Symphony trombonist Eric Mathis will perform solo and chamber works. Joining him will be pianist Thomas Yee, soprano Vicki Gorman and percussionist Riely Francis.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Tickets are $12 general, $10 seniors and $8 students. 941-2566.

The jazz of Ellington

Join Saturday's "Jazz Cultural Journey," an evening of jazz, blues and ballads celebrating the music of Duke Ellington. Performers include Tennyson Stephens, Zanuck Lindsey and two-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Azure McCall. Other attractions: a silent auction, and a portrait of McCall by John Nichols will be unveiled.

The event is 8 p.m.-midnight at the YWCA Laniakea Courtyard. Tickets, which include pupu, are $35 in advance, $38 at the door. Proceeds benefit the African American Education/Cultural Center Hawaii. 597-1341.

Spam fans, unite!

Celebrate all things Spam as the Waikiki Spam Jam continues today and Saturday. Tonight brings about the "Taste of Paradise" Spam Cookoff, 6-9 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Ten local chefs compete to dish out the best original Spam recipe. Each recipe will be paired with wine, and other dishes will be prepared as well. Ho'okele and 'Ale'a will provide the entertainment, and Ann Kondo Corum will be available to sign her Spam cookbook. Admission is $50 per person, $500 for corporate tables; a portion of the proceeds will go to the Waikiki Community Center. 931-3155.

On Saturday, head on down to Kalakaua Avenue for a free street festival from 4-10 p.m. Take in the craft booths, local entertainment, Spam-eating competition and a scavenger hunt for a day of delicious fun. The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach also will host free performances of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Musubi Man" at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the upper lobby. Events in the lower lobby include picture-taking with Spammy the Spam mascot from 11:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-2 p.m., a book signing with Sandi Takayama, author of "The Musubi Man" at 11 a.m. and children's activities from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 545-4195.

Bet on 'Guys and Dolls'

Eric Manke and Ashley Warley are part of the cast of "Guys and Dolls."

In the play, gambler Nathan Detroit bets that fellow gambler Sky Masterson can't make the next girl he sees fall in love with him.

Performances are at 7 p.m. today, April 11 and 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday and April 13 at the Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Auditorium. Tickets are $5. 842-8496.