The Buzz

This 'End Up' is at Club Mist

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The Langley Ukulele Ensemble from Langley, British Columbia, with director Peter Luongo, takes part in today's "Ukulele! The Legend Continues" concert at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Advertiser library photo

A whole lot of strummin' going on

It's a big weekend for 'ukulele lovers as three separate events celebrate this little four-stringed instrument:

• "Ukulele! The Legend Continues" at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel tonight honors local and international legends of 'ukulele of the past, present and future. The lineup includes Kelly Boy DeLima and son Kapena, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta Jr., Langley Ukulele Ensemble, James Hill and Paul Luongo. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $35 and $45, including two drinks. 931-8383.
• Learn to play the 'ukulele for free with Bruce Shimabukuro, president and instructor at Ukulele Essence Inc. Enter to win free lessons at the school or the grand prize, a brand new Kamaka 'ukulele. Ukulele Jam III runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach in the upper lobby. 921-9711.
• Windward Community College hosts the Hawai'i Music Institute's "'Ukulele 2003 — a Weekend with the Masters." The weekend of workshops features musicians and 'ukulele craftsmen sharing their expertise during a series of classes that run one hour and 45 minutes each. Participants include Gordon Mark, Bryan Tolentino, Kelly Boy DeLima, Byron Yasui, Ron Loo, Mike Chock, Moana Chang and Bill Kaiwa. Classes on Saturday run from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday's workshops span from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The weekend ends with a ho'ike featuring artists and students and a stew and rice pa'ina. Cost is $150 for both days or $85 for one day. Seniors 65 and older receive a 20 percent discount. Register: 235-7433, www.hawaiimusicinstitute.com.

In bloom at the Blaisdell

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A touch of Japan at the Academy of Arts

Come on down to the Honolulu Academy of Arts Sunday and enjoy free activities in celebration of 150 years of U.S.-Japan relations.

The Japan/U.S.A. Friendship Day Family Festival hosts events for every member of the family, such as demonstrations of the tea ceremony, above, and ikebana (flower arrangement) and a showing of the Japanese movie "Sisters of Gion." Genshitsu Sen, 15th grand teamaster of Urasenke Chado, will give a lecture on "A Modest Bridge Spanning Japan and the U.S." Treat your ears to authentic Japanese traditional music and take the special guided tour of the Japanese Art Gallery. The festivities are from 1 to 5 p.m. 532-8700.

Read all about it: The book sale begins

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Thankfully, the 56th annual Friends of the Library Book Sale begins Saturday at the McKinley High School cafeteria. Find not only books and magazines, but sheet music, records, audio and video tapes, CDs, and DVDs, encyclopedias and other sets, puzzles and maps. Many of the books are priced at under a dollar. Admission is free. Proceeds support the Hawai'i State Public Library System.

The times are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-July 18 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 19. Monday is Fiction and Record Day, with select hardcover fiction and all records selling at half price. Senior Discount Day is Tuesday, and those 60 and older will receive a 25 percent discount. Wednesday is Member's Discount Day, with 50 percent off all purchases made by members. Thursday is Library Card Day; show your state library card and get a 25 percent discount. July 18 is Half-Price Day, with all items selling at half price. On the last day of the sale, all remaining items will be 50 cents each, while paperbacks will be two for 50 cents. 536-4174.

Ufonia on concert

Forget the week of work and let Ufonia carry you away. The nationally renowned group will be playing its fresh and quietly energizing music this weekend, using classical guitar, flute and percussion.

Ufonia's performances have been aired on PBS and NPR, and you can see them live today at 7:30 p.m. at the Doris Duke Theater. The trio is composed of Benjamin Verdery (guitar), John Marshall (percussion) and Keith Underwood (flute); each teaches at top-notch universities. General admission is $18, Honolulu Academy of Arts members, seniors and students get in for $15. 532-8768.

Ufonia performs on the Big Island and Maui, too.

All for the arts

Looking for free fun for the whole family? From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, enjoy ArtSpree 2003, a day full of continuous art-related activities, demonstrations, and performances of dance, music and art by local artists at The Contemporary Museum.

While Mom and Dad can see The Contemporary Museum Biennial Exhibition of Hawai'i Artists, the kids can participate in artist-guided, hands-on art activities. There will be glass-blowing demonstrations, hands-on printmaking and "expression sessions" for children led by experienced artists. Entertainment includes Loose Screws, Johnny Helm, Rea Fox, Samba Axé, Tangentz and The No No Boys. Everyone can enjoy the Contemporary Cafe's special ArtSpree menu.

Not only is the admission free, but a shuttle service makes parking easy. Go to and from nearby Punahou School and King Kalakaua Plaza in Waikiki for transportation to and from the museum.

The event is the museum's annual gift to the community. 526-1322, www.tcmhi.org.

From Hong Kong, 'Warriors of Qin'

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts makes its Honolulu debut in a dance concert titled "Warriors of Qin," 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hawai'i Theatre. The troupe, which has toured England, Canada, Scotland, France, Austria, the Philippines and other European, Asian and American stages, promises Chinese dance at a level of skill never before seen in the Islands. Tickets are $11-$20. 528-0506.

Metal rock at Anna's

With the sale of King's Crab in Waikiki, hard-core metal fans had to look for a new place to rock. Anna Bannanas came to the rescue and will host Metallurgy this Saturday. Start thrashing with local bands Tapped, Obliterator and Crucible, which has since gone international. And there's the popular lead-guitar competition Shred Fest 2003, with a first prize of a Fender 7-string guitar from Hot Licks. Doors open at 9 p.m. Cover is $6. 946-5190.