The Buzz

Hold your horses. The "American Superstar DJ" is returning to town. Texas native D:Fuse is back after his fiery performance at last year's ID2K2 to work his trance magic at the Maze nightclub tonight. Along with him comes the popular San Francisco turntablist Behrouz. His unique mix of silky house and textured tribal really move the soul.

Local talents getting in on the groove include Archangel, Miklos, Rayne, Jimmy James and PSI. The party rages on from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tickets are $15, for 18 and older. 921-5800.

Dancers from Samba Axe are all dressed up and ready to party. Samba Axe will take part in the Mardi Gras festivities at the Ward Entertainment parking lot and at Kapono's Tuesday night.

In the mood for Mardi Gras

No need to go to New Orleans ... celebrate Mardi Gras right here! There's enough going on around the island this week to fatten up your Tuesday. Here are highlights:

• Mardi Gras Follies 2003 performs the traditional Las Vegas nightclub revue at the Pearl Harbor Banyans Club. Doors open at 6 p.m., buffet is served 6:30 p.m. and show starts 7:45 p.m. tonight, Saturday, March 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. Doors open noon, buffet is served 12:30 p.m. and show begins 1:45 p.m. on March 9 and 16. $35 includes buffet, show, tax, tip and parking. Reservations: 473-1703, 487-2546.
• Mardi Gras Carnival at Kemoo Farms in Wahiawa from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. tonight. On tap: a parade, bikini contest and entertainment by El Conjunto Tropical and Guy Cruz. Cover is $5, for 21 and older. 621-1835.
• Mardi Gras Dance Party at La Mariana Sailing Club on Sand Island from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Hosted by the Hawai'i Gay Surf Club, DJs JP and Dave M. will be spinning international and progressive house sounds. Admission is free. 848-2800.
• Third Annual Mardi Gras Hawaii Celebration, 4-10 p.m. Tuesday in the Ward Entertainment parking lot. Attractions include a costume contest for adults and balloon animals for the kids; entertainment by Swingin' Tradewinds Jazz Band, Samba Axe and Honolulu 24-7. Admission is $3. 591-8411.
• Mardi Gras Madness Festival, 5:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesday at Gordon Biersch. Check out the parade and entertainment by Slim Mango and Zanuck Lindsey. Admission is free. 599-4877, 537-3291.
• Mardi Gras Carnaval Dance Party, 7-11 p.m. Tuesday at Kapono's. Performing will be Shaka Jambé, with special guests Samba Axe and Aloha Brazil. Admission is free. 536-2161.
• Nu'uanu Mardi Gras Shuffle from pau hana until midnight Tuesday on Nu'uanu Avenue. The fun includes games, entertainment, food, temporary tattoos, palm readings and a costume contest. Admission is free. 521-2900.
• Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration from 4:30 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesday at Ocean Club. There will be a jazz band, masked go-gos and free beads. Admission is free before 8 p.m., $4 after, for 23 and older. 531-8444.
• Hula's Mardi Gras from 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand. Get moving with resident DJ Al-X and guest DJ Dusty Digital. Free masks, beads and coins will be handed out at the door. Cover is $5 per person, $3 hui. 923-0669.
• Phat Tuesday at the Pussycat Lounge in the Wave Waikiki. From 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesday, with DJ Iz (of San Francisco and Chicago), Eyesoulated Mindz, 4 Elements, MC Trace and Microscopic Syllables; and get free beads! Cover is $7 before midnight, $10 after, or wear purple, gold and green and get in free all night. For 21 and older. 941-0424.

From one island to anther

Journey to another island this weekend via the Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center's spring production of "Once on this Island," a musical based on the novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy.

A twist on the traditional "Little Mermaid" tale, the musical is set on a Caribbean island. It tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with rich city boy Daniel after saving his life.

The production features students from public schools including 'Aiea High, Kalani High, Liholiho Elementary and Hokulani Elementary. Alumni from Kaimuki, Mililani and Castle high schools participate, as well as students from Kapi'olani Community College and the University of Hawai'i.

The play opens at 7:30 tonight at the Kaimuki High School theater. It continues 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 7, and 3 p.m. March 9. Tickets are $8 for adults and students without IDs, and $5 for seniors and students with IDs.

And there will be a 7:30 p.m. performance March 8, sponsored by the Kaimuki High School Alumni as a scholarship benefit for graduates. Tickets are $10 for adults and students without IDs, and $5 for students with IDs.

733-4913.

A folksy charm

Singer-songwriter Jamie Anderson comes to Hawai'i tonight for a concert at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Hemenway Theatre. The acclaimed folk artist is known for bringing laughter to the stage with her offbeat song intros and stories. Her smooth voice and witty humor have garnered praise from across the country.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; Anderson performs at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 general, $10 students, seniors and Na Koa Wahine members. Tickets are available at www.nakoawahine.org or 375-2205.

A fair with that Mardi Gras accent

Sacred Hearts Academy's annual Superfair, the annual fund-raising community event, is themed "Mardi Gras" this year. Among the attractions will be challenging games, crafts and a "purple" elephant. Visit the mini Lego town, go shopping at the farmers' market or enjoy the Xtreme Fun rides and inflatables. The fair takes place from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. today and Saturday, and admission is free.

In addition, there will be concerts from 6-9 p.m. each evening. Local acts featured include Baba B., B.E.T., Pati, Tani Lynn and O-Shen. Tickets to the concerts are $8 pre-sale or $10 at the door.

Free parking is available at Kaimuki High or St. Patrick's schools. 734-5058, ext. 229.

Happy Girls' Day

Events at the center include children's arts and crafts, Japanese doll displays and entertainment including youth vocalists from Urata Music Studio.

Girls can take part in an authentic kimono makeover — 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $75 — which includes kimono dressing and two 5x7 photos.

The East-West theme prevails with an English-style tea party featuring scones, finger sandwiches and fruit. Cost is $23 general and $15 children under 12. For the east side, there will be a traditional Japanese tea ceremony presented by the Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii.

For reservations for the kimono dressing, tea party or more information, call 945-7633.

A lesson in compassion

Get into some monkey business when the Honolulu Academy of Arts presents "The Monkey King and the Water Demon." The ancient Indian tale combines picture storytelling, mask theater and traditional puppetry created and performed by Michael Schuster.

The tale centers on Buddha's past life as a monkey king to stress the universal need for kindness and compassion toward all living creatures.

Showtime is 2 p.m. Saturday; $5 general and $3 children. 532-8700.

A day in the park, Japanese style

The 51st annual Cherry Blossom Festival presents the yearly Heritage Fair Saturday with the theme "Future of our Heritage." From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Kapi'olani Park will be the focus of a day of cultural entertainment, which includes a koto concert, performance by Hanayagi Dance Academy and taiko performance by Kenny Endo and the Taiko Center of the Pacific.

The 51st Cherry Blossom Festival Queen contestants and the 50th queen and her court will appear.

The crowd can enjoy a mochi pounding demonstration and bon dance. There will also be displays on calligraphy and sword-making. Crafts, foods and inflatable attractions provide a little something for everyone.

Admission is free. 949-2255.

The life of Lillie

Go back in time and relive the life of Victorian beauty and actress Lillie Langtry, as told through Karen Melander-Magoon's creation "Lillie: A Musical." Considered a woman ahead of her time, Langtry performed across the United States and Europe in the 19th century and was one of the first international superstars. Her story is presented by Melander-Magoon, an opera and concert singer who composed, directed and performs in the musical.

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Atherton Performing Arts Studio. Tickets are $17.50 general, $15 for Hawai'i Public Radio members and $10 students.

After the show will be a tasting of wines from Guenoc, a vineyard Langtry owned more than a century ago. Melander-Magoon is now a co-owner and vintner of Guenoc.

Reservations: 955-8821.

All that jazz at UH

Jazz comes to the University of Hawai'i-Manoa tonight as local faves Abe Weinstein, Dan del Negro and Adam Baran take part in the school's monthly jazz night.

Weinstein, executive director and founder of the Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, is a former director of the University of Hawai'i Stage Band. Del Negro, a Chicago native, performs with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet. Baran has formed the Brazilian band Sambanda since moving here in February 2000.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. at Manoa Garden. Admission is free. 956-4491.