SATURDAY SCOOPS
Super bored?

By Debra Yuen
Scoops Editor

Photo by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

What to do if you're not really a football fan? We have a few ideas. Already have Super Bowl party plans? Who could blame you?

Tuning out

Face it: Most of your friends, family and neighbors will be gorging on football for several hours tomorrow. That means smaller crowds at the places you'd like to be on your weekend — woo hoo! We're talking the shopping malls, the beach and the waves, the car wash, Costco, restaurants (but not sports bars), that movie you wanted to see but kept putting off, maybe even a golf tee. Get out there while the crowds are sparse, then brag about it later.

Then there's "counterprogramming," for those who decide to stay home. That's when other TV channels offer programs they hope will lure nonfans of the really big show (such as the Super Bowl, presidential elections and so on). So, from 9 a.m. tomorrow, there's a "Two Fat Ladies" marathon on the TV Food Network and a "Pet Psychic" marathon on Animal Planet.

And keep that TV remote handy. A number of cable channels will offer movies such as "Clear and Present Danger" (from noon) on USA; the epics "Gettysburg" (from 10 a.m.), then "Gone With the Wind" (at 4 p.m.) on TNT; and "French Kiss" (1 p.m.), "Outside Providence" (3:30 p.m.) and "High Fidelity" (5:30 p.m.) on Comedy Central.

Tuning in

But, can 130 million viewers be wrong? That's the expected audience in the United States for the big game. Let's not forget the potential of 800 million worldwide, too. Why, oh, why? Let us count the reasons:

• The Super Bowl certainly brings pop entertainment to center stage. The Dixie Chicks will perform the national anthem; diva Celine Dion sings "God Bless America"; rockers No Doubt (recently in concert in Honolulu) and country/pop superstar Shania Twain are the halftime acts.
• Maybe you're not a football fan. Maybe you're a television fan. And those famous or wannabe-famous commercials are why you watch the Super Bowl. Remember the cat-herding spot? You might not remember the sponsoring company (EDS, Electronic Data Systems), but it was great fun to watch grizzled cowboys talk about rounding up felines.
• You like or love the sport, but you especially love to party. And this annual event is a big reason for an all-ages, all food-and-drink feast in front of the TV. Here's a quick (and we mean quick) recipe for guacamole:
  
  
• One ripe avocado, chopped
• Your favorite bottled salsa (honest!)
• Mix. Eat with tortilla chips.

Year of the Ram something to celebrate

Put on your walking shoes, bring a camera and expect a crush of people sampling the food, checking out the shops, meeting up with long-lost friends and neighbors.

Maunakea Street, between King and Beretania streets, will be closed to vehicles so pedestrians, entertainment stages and booths offering food, arts and crafts, T-shirts and demonstrations can take over. The annual parade, which begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Capitol and heads down Hotel Street, ending at River Street, includes dancing Chinese lions and a 150-foot dragon.

"Night in Chinatown," despite its name, is an all-day, all-night affair. Hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission is free, but you'll want to bring cash for food and other goodies (and especially to feed dollars to the dancing lions for good luck). 595-6417.

Bald eagle tours Maui before flying into Pro Bowl

CHALLENGER

The 14-year-old predator was named after the doomed space shuttle crew that included Hawai'i'-born astronaut Ellison Onizuka. An entourage of six caregivers and security people from the nonprofit American Eagle Foundation will accompany the bird.

Challenger, who has been trained to fly into sports stadiums, is scheduled to do just that at next weekend's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

"Spotlight Champions and Artistry in Motion" is the title of a dance concert by NIX Performing Arts Center. Expect a high-energy program of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical hula/Tahitian, Latin and popping/locking dance forms. Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. today at Leeward Community College Theatre. Tickets are $16 at the door or $14 advance. Most tickets are pre-sold; call 484-1155 so you won't be disappointed.

If it's music you want, tonight there are all kinds

This is a pretty happening night for music lovers of all genres. Take your pick of the special events around town:

• Groove to island rhythms at Winter Bash 2003 in the Waikiki Shell. Ten Feet, Natural Vibes, Sudden Rush and others will perform from 5 p.m. today. $10-$25. 526-4400.
• Funk/rock/soul mainstay Tower of Power lets it rip from 8 tonight at the Hawaii Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. $35, $45. 526-4400.
• It's DJ madness at "Coastal Collective," continuing from 9 tonight at Club Mist. $15, $20. 591-3500.
• Jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson (pictured above) shares her blues artistry at the Doris Duke theater at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, 7 tonight. $30 general, $28 for museum members. 532-8700.
• Texas guitar slinger Shawn Pittman struts his stuff at Wave Waikiki, 7 tonight. $22 general, $20 advance, $18 Hawai'i Blues Society members. 590-2332, 941-0424.
• Punk fans, unite at Ottocake's 11th anniversary blast, 6 p.m. today at Otto's bakery, 2928 Ualena St., $5. www.808shows.com. Then there's Pimpbot, Woody, Mindless Rebellion, Push the Pedal at Island Café (formerly Pink Cadillac). $5. 272-1858.

Celebrate Korean centennial at the Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum celebrates the Korean immigration centennial with an exhibit opening today, "Century of the Tiger: A Centennial Celebration of Korean Americans, 1903-2003." The display contains immigration photos, Punch'ong pottery and calligraphy scrolls.

South Korean calligraphers will demonstrate the hangul, or Korean alphabet, from 2-3:30 p.m.

Visitors can join in mask making and traditional Korean games. Events will focus on Korean customs, performing arts, the Korean New Year, The Tale of Tangun (a creation myth) and contemporary Korean storytelling from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through March 16.

Admission: $14.95, seniors and ages 4-12, $11.95; kama'aina and military, $7.95. Free for children younger than 4 and museum members. 847-3511.