The Buzz

Hip-hop with Gershwin B.L.X.

The popular hip-hop bSIDE monthly event returns to the Pussycat Lounge at Wave Waikiki on Tuesday, bringing with it featured artist Gershwin B.L.X., above, from Los Angeles.

The hip-hop crew of eight moves the house with its fluid sounds, hard-core rapping and funky tunes.

Local hip-hop band Microscopic Syllables opens up the night at 9 p.m. DJs Oliver Twist, Slow Daddy, Kavet, G-Spot, KSM, Syze 1 and Subzero get in the mix to heat things up.

Cover is $10 for 21 and older, $15 for 18-20. 941-0424.

Mario Perez Live, with Project 808

Hawai'i's fledgling hip-hop community gets a chance to throw down some live beats and rhymes at Saturday night's Project 808 Concert. Project 808 is a recently released compilation CD of remarkably impressive, well-produced local hip-hop featuring new and established local talent. All of the musicians on Project 808 will be represented. The lineup includes Fiji, Forté, B.E.T., O-Shen, Glisten, Jevan, Aziel, Trace, Stone Groove Family and Nocturnal Sound Krew. Hours: 7-11 p.m., Dole Cannery Ballroom, for those 18 and older only. Tickets: $10. www.mattyliu.com.

A little guitar music, anyone?

The Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Guitar Quartet heads for Hawai'i for a multi-island tour next week. Known as LAGQ, this 22-year-old ensemble mixes up a generous blend of music in its performances, from Bach to Count Basie to Led Zepplin. Composed of John Dearman, Scott Tennant, Andrew York and William Kanengiser, the quartet has wowed audiences around the world with versatile and eclectic shows.

The LAGQ performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Brigham-Young University's McKay Auditorium. Tickets are $10 general, $8 for seniors and military, $7 faculty, $3 children 5-17 and free for BYU students. 293-3545.

Additional shows are scheduled for Wednesday at Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center; Thursday at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo Theatre; March 21 at Kahilu Theatre in Kamuela; March 22 at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium; and March 23 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The dance takes centerstage

"Spirit of the Dance," the extravaganza of Irish and other dance forms that's a worldwide audience pleaser, continues at the Hawai'i Theatre. Show times are 8 p.m. today, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25-$45. 528-0506.

The dancers head over to Maui, too, for shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through March 23 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are $10-$45. (808) 242-7469.

Age of Gemini

Twin violinists Dan and Duane Padilla bring their classical and baroque repertoire to the Atherton Performing Arts Studio for a debut recital at 4 p.m. Sunday. This season marks the 10th anniversary of their professional debut as The Gemini Duo. Originally from Los Angeles, the Padilla twins moved to Honolulu from Connecticut a year and a half ago to join the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. The brothers even perform on twin instruments cut from the same block of wood and fashioned by violinmaker Phillip Injeian.

Duane Padilla said pianist Thomas Yee will join the brothers for two songs during the concert. Tickets are $17.50 general, $15 for Hawai'i Public Radio members and $10 students. Reservations: 955-8821.

'War' returns for a benefit performance

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth brings back "War" for a special benefit performance Saturday. Written by Dennis Foon, "War" takes a look at four coming-of-age boys and how violence is used as a metaphor throughout their daily lives.

The event is sponsored by the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, which will facilitate a post-show forum to discuss the effects of media and gender roles on teen dating violence. There will be tables with information on how to address abuse and sex assault in a community, and DVCLH will unveil a new poster campaign aimed at teen boys. Program coordinator Grace Caligtan said special guest Jordan Segundo, the "American Idol" contestant, will offer remarks before the show.

The play will be performed at Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew's Cathedral. A 6 p.m. pupu reception will be followed by the show at 7. Tickets are $20. 534-0040.

International 'Journeys'

Kapi'olani Community College's 15th Annual International Festival is themed "Journeys," so here's your chance to travel to South Korea, Tahiti, Spain and Indonesia ... sorta. Take a trip down literary lane with Gary Pak, Nora Okja Keller and Rodney Morales. And tour the world with songs by Winston Tan, above, and a parade of cultures.

Go on this voyage without leaving the island, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Admission is free for most events. 734-9715.

Indie pop at Club Pauahi

The monthly Avant Pop party takes up residence again Saturday at Club Pauahi. From 8 p.m.-1 a.m., the 18-and-older crowd can rock to the indie beats of local bands such as Teradactyl and Postmodern. Enjoy the synth pop of Baby Microphone and the acoustic sounds of Paul and Gwen. The Jerome James Collective will be in the house to offer up some jazz. DJ Noey and "Friend" round out the music fest.

Proceeds from the $5 cover charge benefit Teradactyl's East Cost Mint Tour this spring. 521-7252.

A bit of Scandinavian music

The Minnesota-based Trio Berwald — Solon Pierce (piano), Jonas Carlson (cello) and Hawai'i-born Mia Lai-Carlson (violin) — makes its Atherton Performing Arts Studio debut at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The trio, which has devoted itself to promoting and performing Scandinavian music, will perform Franz Berwald's Piano Trio No. 3 in D minor, Beethoven's Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3 and Jean Sibelius' Piano Trio in C.

Tickets are $17.50 general, $15 Hawai'i Public Radio members and $10 students. Reservations: 955-8821.

Luck o' the Irish for St. Patrick's Day

Irish festivities abound with St. Patrick's Day approaching. And of course you don't have to hail from the Emerald Isle to join in the fun. Here are some highlights:

• Kelley O'Neil's hosts live Irish music for the St. Patrick's weekend with Hank Cramer performing 5-8 p.m. today and Saturday and the ContraDance band 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Monday brings Hank Cramer at 1-3 p.m., Green Island 3-6 p.m. and James McCarthy 6-8:30 p.m. 926-1777.
• The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hawaii will hold its annual Emerald Ball Saturday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tropics Showroom. From 6 p.m., enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, sit-down dinner and entertainment by Frank DeLima, Tennyson Stevens and Friends, and Azure McCall. Tickets are $60. 722-4051, 377-1224.
• St. Patrick's Day Irish Festival, from 11 a.m. Monday at the Bank of Hawaii parking lot across from Murphy's. On the menu: oysters, fish and chips, steamed clams and — of course — corned beef and cabbage. Restaurateur Don Murphy will donate $1 per pound of corned beef sold today through Monday to Special Olympics Hawaii . Free admission. 531-0422.
• St. Patrick's Day Parade, noon-1 p.m. Monday along Ala Moana Boulevard to Kalakaua Avenue, and ending at Kapi'olani Park. Sponsored by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hawaii, the event is expected to have 500 marchers, 30 vehicles and four bands. Free. 956-6651.
• St. Patrick's Day Party, with live Irish music at Irish Rose Saloon. James McCarthy is on tap 1-4 p.m. Monday, with Hank Cramer following, 4:30-8:30 p.m. No cover charge. 924-7711.
• St. Patrick's Day Party, featuring the bawdy songs of Don Conover, 4-10 p.m. Monday at Chuck's Original Steak House in Waikiki. No cover charge. 923-6111.
• The Hilton Hawaiian Village has the Celtic Pipe and Drum Corp. performing at 5 p.m. Monday in the main lobby. Later, James McCarthy and Sideman will entertain at 8:30 p.m. in Durty Nellie's Pub (also known as the Shell Bar). Admission is free. 947-7875.
• St. Patrick's Day Block Party, from 5 p.m. Monday on Nu'uanu Avenue and Merchant Street. There will be three stages for entertainment, including SUGahDADDY and Tino and the Rhythm Klub. Free admission. 531-0422.

It's all in the hands

Be amazed by the spectacle of "Magical Moments," a spring family magic show directed by Curtis Kam. The show will feature 14-year-old Hawai'i junior magicians Stacie Hata and Kevin Tsunoda, above. Other local acts include Les and Terri Au. From the Mainland come Mama Clown from Hollywood, Fla., Tom Yurasits from Northhampton, Penn., and Terry Lunceford from El Cajon, Calif. Glen Bailey emcees.

There will be two shows, at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday in the Blaisdell Center Pikake Room. Tickets are $10 and $15. 526-4400.

Come to the cabaret

Vocal powerhouse Rhonda, known as the "Queen of the South Pacific," continues her virtuoso ways in the Esprit showroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. A trained opera singer, Rhonda has recorded 28 CDs, has sold out annual performances in Australia and New Zealand and performed here in community theater, revues and cabarets. She offers, cabaret style, a variety of Broadway songs, Polynesian, Maori, contemporary, pop and opera pieces at 7:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; doors open at 7:15. $20 general admission. 221-7874, 922-4422