The Buzz

A cultural celebration through dance

The Korean centennial celebration continues this weekend with "Dance Korea!," which premieres at 8 p.m. today at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre. The showcase is a collaboration between dance students from Hawai'i and Korea honoring the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the islands. Students from UH and the Korean National University of Arts will dance pieces created by Jeong Ho Nam, a choreographer from South Korea. The finale will be based on Korean drum dances crafted by local dance instructor Mary Jo Freshley.

Additional performances will be at 8 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 21-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 23. Tickets are $12 general, $10 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff, $8 students, and $3 UHM students. 526-4400, 956-7655.

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On your mark, get set....

Go! The 19th annual Great Aloha Run takes off at 7 a.m. Monday, Presidents' Day. Beginning at Aloha Tower, the 8.15-mile route meanders down Nimitz Highway to Kamehameha Highway and ends at Aloha Stadium. Presented by Carole Kai Charities Inc. Finishers will receive T-shirts and after-race snacks.

In conjunction with the race, the Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union is hosting a Great Aloha Run/Family Fitness Expo at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. There will be a gymnastics competition, healthy-cooking demonstrations, a strong-man contest, seminars and interactive booths. Times are 4-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $1.50 general and free for children 12 and younger, seniors 65 and older and registered Aloha runners. 945-3594.

"Very late entries" for the race will still be accepted today, Saturday and Sunday at the expo's race number pick-up area. Entry donation is $32 general, $15 children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older, and can be paid only in cash. Spectators can watch the expected 26,000-plus participants for free. 528-7388.

The art of the ballet

Traditional ballet lovers should delight in the Hawaii State Ballet Junior Company concerts Saturday at St. Louis School's Mamiya Theatre. The company, which has served as a training ground for such dancers as Amanda Schull, star of "Center Stage," will perform at 3 and 7:30 p.m. The program includes "The Kingdom of the Shades" from the ballet "La Bayadere," the balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet," and director John Landovsky's "Coppelia Suite."

Tickets are $16, $18 and $20 general, with a $2 discount for seniors and children under 12. 947-2755, 783-2747, 941-7837.

Munch on the beach

The city's popular Brunch on the Beach is back Sunday for more food, fun and frolic along Kalakaua Avenue. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., choose from an array of salads, entrees, desserts and beverages presented by restaurants such as the Hau Tree Lanai, Seafood Village, Restaurant Fuji and Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

While snacking on the goodies, relax with some local entertainment. The Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club starts things off at 9:30 a.m; Forté will follow at 10:30 a.m. with songs from its new album, "Montage"; the keiki of Halau Hula Olana will entertain at 11:30 a.m. Then enjoy the day's headliner, Na Leo Pilimehana, as the perennial favorite takes the stage.

Admission is free. 523-2489, 923-1094.

Blending ancient and modern dance

Tickets are $20-$25. 455-0385.

Keep on dancin'

Feel the rhythm of the beat this weekend at "Get Up'N Dance," a concert by Dance Spectrum Hawaii that offers a bit of something for everyone. The company features the choreography of Barbara Jean Van Scoy and daughter Tania Vares in a series of 30 pieces that include contemporary, lyrical, traditional ballet, tap, modern, jazz and hula elements.

Shows are 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre. Tickets are $8. 254-3116.

Enchanting Enchantée

Be captivated by the classical trio of Enchantée, young local talents who will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at UH-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium.

Laura Jean Keller, a 14-year-old Punahou student, plays the violin, Tiffany Hyun, a 15-year-old Punahou student, plays the piano, and Dayna Furusawa, a 15-year-old UH Laboratory School student, plays the cello. As a trio, they will perform works by Mendelssohn and Schubert. There will be violin and cello duos by Passacaglia and Beethoven. Solo pieces are also on the program, with Keller performing Sarasate, Furusawa playing Popper and Hyun performing Chopin and Philipp.

Admission is free. 753-8044.

Just for laughs

A double-barreled comedy bill, pairing Andy Bumatai, right, and Augie T, far right, will be launched at 8 p.m. today (repeating Fridays and Saturdays) at Don Ho's Hoku Hale Showroom in the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Bumatai, once billed as "Hawai'i's First Stand-up Comic," sees the gig as a means to relieve the stress of looming war and a reason for locals to rediscover Waikiki. Augie T, last name Tulba, sees it as an homage to his mentor and supporter, a chance to work alongside his childhood idol. There's a $15 cover charge. A reservation phone number was not available at press time, but the Ho reservations number (he's on Sundays through Thursdays only) for information is 923-3981.