For those interested in getting in touch with their inner mustang, here's an admittedly personal list of 10 Essential Westerns. All are just a video-store visit away.

'Stagecoach' 1939: John Wayne plays the Ringo Kid, a gunman on the run who joins stagecoach passengers on a trek through dangerous Indian country. There's little action, but a great deal of wonderful character development.

'My Darling Clementine' 1946: A version of the Wyatt Earp-O.K. Corral story that may not be historically accurate but remains mythically satisfying. Henry Fonda is excellent as the buttoned-down Earp; Walter Brennan is great as the scuzzy villain Ike Clanton.

'High Noon' 1952: On his wedding day, lawman Will Kane (Gary Cooper) learns that a vengeful crook he sent to prison is on his way back with a gang — and the townspeople are perfectly willing to let him face his fate alone.

'Shane' 1953: A hired hand (Alan Ladd) reveals himself to be a retired gunfighter who reluctantly straps on his six-shooters for a standoff with the cattle baron running sod busters off their land. Shane nobly suppresses his attraction to his employer's wife (Jean Arthur) and befriends the couple's young son (Brandon DeWilde).

'The Searchers' 1956: As Civil War veteran Ethan Edwards, John Wayne expertly explores the dark side of his stock character. When Comanches kidnap his niece, Ethan devotes years to tracking her down — to kill her because she has been defiled by the savages.

'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' 1967: The last and most grandiose of Sergio Leone's "spaghetti Westerns" with Clint Eastwood is a huge shaggy dog of a movie. Bandito Eli Wallach, killer Lee Van Cleef and the laconic Eastwood compete to recover buried treasure.

'The Wild Bunch' 1969: In this bloody masterpiece, set in 1914, William Holden leads his gang of graying thugs as they try their luck running guns in Mexico's revolution.

'McCabe and Mrs. Miller' 1971: A bittersweet Western about a not-terribly-bright hustler (Warren Beatty) who builds a brothel in a rugged mining town.

'Lonesome Dove' 1989: This eight-hour made-for-TV miniseries is an epic tale of a cattle drive overflowing with adventure and spectacular characters. Foremost among them is Robert Duvall as former Texas Ranger Gus McRae.

'Unforgiven' 1992: This Clint Eastwood-directed triumph is nothing less than a major star's attempt to dissect the violent roots of his screen persona. As "reformed" killer William Munny, who comes out of retirement to collect a bounty, Eastwood gives one of his most disturbing performances.

See professional ballroom dancers — then try out some moves yourself

Dance fans, remember those hit movies "Strictly Ballroom" and "Shall We Dance?" Well, it's your chance to witness a dazzling show tonight by world dancing champions Jonathan Crossley and Lyn Marriner.

The ballroom duo, who started dancing together in January, have been finalists at dance competitions worldwide.

Hailing from Britain, Crossley was the Professional Rising Star Champion at Blackpool in 2002, while Marriner was the Open Professional Champion at Blackpool 2002, UK Open and the World Championships.

Tickets are $20 at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Course Palladium. 395-6320.

If you can't make the concert, you can still put on your dancing shoes and visit the Makua Alii Senior Center, 1541 Kalakaua Ave., where ballroom dancing is the featured attraction 7:15-9:15 p.m. Wednesdays. It's free. Register at 988-3461. There's more: An earlier session — 6:30-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays — will be added Sept. 3- Oct. 22. That's free, too.

Get your fill of everything salsa

It's hot outside, but it may be hotter inside Windward Mall today at the third annual Taste of Puerto Rico. On the menu is Puerto Rican food, crafts, and hot entertainment by salsa band Son Caribe, traditional tunes by Latin Amigos and an exhibition by the Aloha Rumberos Dance Team and the Salsa 101 Dancers.

It's noon-4 p.m., with free admission.

Get in the swim of things; celebrate the Duke at Waikiki's Brunch on the Beach

The monthly Brunch on the Beach is dedicated to Duke Kahanamoku, world-class athlete and Hawai'i's "ambassador of aloha."

Among the special attractions that pay tribute to Duke will be a musical celebration of his beloved ocean; a beach boy song medley; a display that includes the three Olympic medals he won; and stories about the legend shared by friends. The Kahanamoku family song, "O Makalapua," will be performed by Wehilani Ching.

Brunch entertainment includes performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band and Ha Hoku Hanohano award winners

Maunalua, composed of Bobby Moderow Jr., Kahi Kaonohi, and Bruce Spencer. The Aloha Festivals royal court also will make an appearance.

And of course there's food, as a number of Honolulu restaurants offer their signature dishes to dine on.

Brunch takes place 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. tomorrow along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Look for the artificial grass, big blue umbrellas and food tents. Admission is free.

Pidgin poet puts on family-friendly show this weekend

Jozuf Hadley, also known as Bradajo, brings his lyrical pidgin poetry to The ARTS at Marks Garage in a series of shows that continue this weekend.

The Kauaian blends storytelling and video and slide elements in a presentation that appeals to keiki and adults. He'll be accompanied by Orion Stanbro on guitar.

The show begin at 7 p.m. today and 3 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets, available half an hour before each performance, are $10 general, $8 per person for groups of five or more, $5 students. 536-8047.

Elks' Saturday filled with fund-raisers

Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 is in fund-raising mode for its projects that help Hawai'i's kids. Check out two events today:

• From 11 a.m. is a family event with kids activities, barbeque, bake sale, canoe rides, bouncers and entertainment by magician Ken Noyle, comic Mel Cabang and others. Admission is free.

• The evening features "Kanikapila by the Sea," with Auntie Genoa Keawe and others. Admission is a $20 donation. Pupu will be sold. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m., seating begins at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

The Elks Lodge is at 2933 Kalakaua Ave. 923-5722.

Get book signed, spend some time with Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain, film and stage star and author of "Shattered Love" (ReganBooks, hardcover, $25.95), will sign books and greet readers at 2 p.m. today at Borders Books & Music at Ward Centre.

This very readable autobiography — a blend of essays and musings on issues from love to forgiveness as well as a more typical showbiz memoir that includes interesting tidbits about co-stars and happenings on set — is on local best-seller lists. Particularly of interest to Island readers is a chapter on spiritual teacher Nana Veary.

'Magic' fills the air at Liholiho School

Be prepared to be mystified and stupefied at "Magic in the Making," starring modern mystics Luna and Losander from Las Vegas.

Also there will be local magicians representing the Society of American Magicians, Society of Young Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians and Pacific Rim Inner Secrets of Magic.