The Buzz

Get ready to rock

With Mary's Meltdown, it's always time to rock.

The band plays both original music and covers of bands like Velvet Underground and The Beatles, said rhythm guitarist David Cohen.

The band consists of (clockwise from top) Matt Miller (bass), Cohen, Darryl Barilla (lead guitar) and Dennis Escat (drums). Formed in the 1ate '90s, most of the band's members (minus Cohen) formerly were part of Melodious Funk.

This rock 'n' roll band takes over Anna Bannanas from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. Cover is $5. 946-5190.

Moonlight Mele finale

'Aha Punana Leo is a private, nonprofit organization whose vision is to ensure that "the Hawaiian language shall live."

Gates open at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 6:30. Tickets are $15 general, $10 AIG Hawaii policyholders and Bishop Museum members and $5 for children ages 4-12. 847-8290.

Have fun for a cause

Looking for something free and fabulous to do with the family? Head over to the Keiki Fun Fair at Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children on Saturday for a whole day of free games, activities and entertainment. The event is sponsored by Bank of Hawaii.

From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, entertainment, refreshments, hospital tours and games. The entertainment for the day includes Na Leo Pilimehana, Chant, Radio Disney DJ Cat and the Shriners Band.

There will be read-aloud sessions at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Children who attend the readings will receive free books.

Parking for the fair is available for $3 at Central Union Church.

951-3606.

Hula heaven

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation presents the 63rd Na Hula Festival over two Sundays this month at the Kapi'olani Park bandstand.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, the program features the Puanani Alama Hula Studio, Leilani Alama Hula Studio and Halau Hula 'O Hokulani. The Alama sisters have participated in the festival since its inception 63 years ago and have taught hula in Hawai'i, the Mainland and Japan. Halau Hula 'O Hokulani performs under the direction of kumu hula Hokulani De Rego.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Aug. 24, performances will come from Na Wahine O Ka Hula Maika Pu'u Wai, the Royal Hawaiian Band, Gleemen Plus of Honolulu and Halau Hula 'O Pua 'A'ala Hone. Na Wahine, under the leadership of kumu hula Valerie Pollack, takes the stage first, followed by the Royal Hawaiian Band at noon. The band has taken the music of the Islands to the Mainland, Canada, Europe and Japan. The Gleemen perform at 1 p.m., directed by Shigeru Hotoke. Flo Fernandez's halau closes out the festival with a dance concert starting at 2 p.m.

Admission is free. 692-5118.

Can't slay these dragons

Watch the mighty dragon boats take their place and race to the finish during the 8th Annual AT&T Dragon Boat Festival this weekend. This year, 66 teams will compete from places such as California, Arizona, Washington, Canada, Hong Kong and Hawai'i.

Local teams taking part in the races include more than 10 military teams, all of whom use the festival as a way to boost morale and develop teamwork skills. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which has participated for the last five years, acknowledges the festival as an event that agrees with the commerce's mission to preserve Chinese culture. The Maryknoll High School Martial Arts Club uses the festival races and practices as a fun way to physically train for the upcoming school year. The HMSA team will compete in memory of Waynette Wong-Chu, who died from cancer in March. Wong-Chu was one of the torch carriers for the Olympics last year and also was a volunteer at previous dragon-boat festivals.

Dragon-boat race times are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at Ala Moana Beach Park. The family festival at the park will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Entertainment on Saturday includes the Ka'ala Boys, Country Side Band, Hulili, a Chinese Dance Troupe and Nightlife. On Sunday, performances include Na Mamo O Ka'ala, Imua, Asian lion dance team, Hema Pa'a, Jeff Peterson and Friends, and Sam Keli'iho'omalu.

Admission is free. 951-0350.

Worldly sounding sweet music

The world-music trio Calima brings its high-energy performance for a multi-island concert tour. Guitarists Alejandro Guillen and Jimmy Patton, along with flutist Louisa West put together a range of music styles, from flamenco and rumba to Brazilian bossa nova to traditional Greek and Persian tunes with a Latin touch. The music of South America, the Middle East and Spain blend together through the trio, based in San Diego.

Catch Calima as they travel the state:

• 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre. Tickets are $20 general, $18 seniors and military and $15 students and children. 235-7433.
• 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Atherton Performing Arts Studio. Tickets are $18. 735-2866, 262-2175.
• 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's McCoy Studio Theatre. Tickets are $18. (808) 242-7469.
• 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Blue Dolphin in Kamuela on the Big Island. General admission is $12. (808) 882-7771.
• 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at The Aloha Theatre & Performing Arts Center in Kainaliu on the Big Island. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 on the day of the show. (808) 322-2122.

"Super ... docious!"

The Movement Center holds its annual fund-raiser this weekend when it presents "Super ... docious!," the Summer Sensations 2003 benefit concert. The show features, left to right, Chrisopher Ballesteros as Bert, Jamaica Osorio as Mary Poppins, Noellie Nemoto as Michael and Victoria Sprowls as Jane.

Showtimes are at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mamiya Theatre on the St. Louis School campus. Tickets range from $12 to $25.

Between the Saturday showings will be a gala event at 5 p.m. There will be entertainment by Jon Osorio and Friends and Halau Hula Ka No'eau. Outback Steak House provides the chicken and steak dinners. Tickets are $32 for adults and $22 for children. Food must be pre-ordered.

735-8641.

Celebrate Japanese culture

Admission is free, with nominal fees for activities. 945-7633.

Farewell, old friend

Along with friends and guests, the concert will take place from 7-10 p.m.

The following Tuesday, on Aug. 19, Sweet and Lowdown features the Hot Club of Honolulu. This newly formed jazz band jams on with Silva, above front, and Ernie Provencher on bass and Bobby Nishida on guitar..

And Aug. 26 is the last Sweet and Lowdown night of the month. The Bobby Nishida Trio will get jazzy, along with Dayton Arema on bass and Frank Nishida on drums.

"The (Sweet and Lowdown) show is best described as a showcase of local and mainland jazz guitarists displayed in the finest venue in Honolulu," Silva said. "I host this show to promote local guitarists in venues that they might not normally get to be featured."

Admission is free. 593-0088.