The Buzz

Puppets take center stage

What do you get when you mix a 1,000-year-old tradition with 10,000 gallons of water and 150 vibrant puppets? Countless oohs and aahs, courtesy of the Saigon Water Puppet Theatre of Vietnam. The cultural theatre troupe is sailing our way for a show filled with vibrant colors, rich folklore and traditional music, complete with a fire-breathing dragon. Hailing from Ho Chi Minh City, this enchanting art show is a delight for big and small kids alike.

Showtimes are 7 tonight; 10 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m. tomorrow; and noon and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Waikiki Shell.

Tickets are $12 general; $8 students, seniors and Friends of the East-West Center members. 526-4400, 944-7177, 591-2211.

The city's popular Sunset on the Beach travels to the North Shore this weekend for a three-day affair. From 4 to 10 p.m. today and noon to 10 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park will be the place for food, music and fun. There will be an open market, country fair games, keiki corner and ocean sports. Tonight's movie will be "Blue Crush," (pictured) with the Leonardo DiCaprio-Tom Hanks flick "Catch Me If You Can" tomorrow. Sunset on the Beach wraps up on Sunday with a showing of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Free trolley service will be available, as well as free parking at Hale'iwa Beach Park, Hale'iwa Elementary School, Waialua Elementary School and Hale'iwa harbor. Admission is free. 637-4558, 523-2489.

Beam me up, Scotty

From a galaxy far, far away to right here in Waikiki, the Hawaiian Sci-Fi Convention will be ready for landing tomorrow. Reach for the stars as celebrities scheduled to make appearances include Chase Masterson, George Takei, Wil Wheaton, Vaughn Armstrong and Manu Intiraymi. Check out the sci-fi memorabilia for sale, such as "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" items. Beam up to the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Ballroom 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $35 preferred seating. 732-1292, 943-0500.

Beauty at the ballet

Pacific Youth Ballet presents the magical fairy tale, "The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods." Be enchanted by the delicate choreography and captivating storyline in this children's ballet, featuring a guest artist from the San Francisco Ballet.

Showtimes are 2 and 7 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday at the Mamiya Theatre on the Saint Louis School campus. Tickets are $15 adults and $12 children 12 and under. 394-5119.

Husky soul and some surprises

The Honolulu Symphony Pops Season comes to an end this weekend with two concerts featuring baritone Michael McDonald. Formerly of The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, the singer/songwriter will join conductor Matt Catingub to perform such hits as "What a Fool Believes" and "I Keep Forgettin'." Get ready for some husky soul and surprise guests at this fitting finale.

Showtimes are 8 tonight and tomorrow at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $15, $27, $32, $42 and $57. 792-2000.

Singing the greats

The Hawai'i Vocal Arts Ensemble presents "In The Still of the Night: An American Songbook III" this weekend at the Chaminade University Mystical Rose Oratory. Featuring music from the Golden Age of American song, works by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter will be performed. Songstress and former Miss Hawaii Cheryl Bartlett appears as special guest.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $17.50 general, $35 preferred. Seniors and military are $12.50 and students are $5. 561-9059.

The lions won't sleep this night

Get ready for a wild and wacky summer when AT&T's Wildest Show in Town kicks off Wednesday with a pau hana performance by perennial local favorite Kapena. The popular summertime show is back at the Honolulu Zoo with 13 weekly shows until Aug. 27.

Performers scheduled to take the stage in the upcoming weeks include Herb Ohta Jr., the Marine Forces Pacific Band, Kilinahe, Ernie Cruz Jr., Ledward Ka'apana, Audy Kimura and Noel Okimoto's Latin Jazz Band.

Doors open at 4:35 p.m.; patrons can take a 30-minute guided tour of the zoo or participate in family activities. Shows are from 6 to 7 p.m. on the zoo's lawn stage. Admission is $1. 531-0101.

Pottery made easy

It's time for the annual Raku Ho'olaule'a, a weeklong festival focusing on the traditional Japanese pottery technique. Now in its 27th year, activities tomorrow include the popular community kiln for the public. Hosted by Hawai'i Craftsmen, pack a picnic lunch and head over to Kualoa Regional Park on the Windward Side from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. where you can glaze tea bowls for the artists to fire up. Admission is free, but tea bowls are $5 each.

While you're waiting for your bowls to finish, check out the fired work along the beach and other events from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other events include a floating sculpture contest, raffle, games and ceramic demos by Jeff Chang and Kamaaina Potters. Harvey Sadow, guest artist from Florida, will also do a demo. "UH-Manoa will have a pot race, where potters compete for speed and size on the potters wheel," said Kim Coffee-Isaak, executive director of Hawai'i Craftsmen and The ARTS at Marks Garage. "This is a really fun event to watch."

The Raku Ho'olaule'a Exhibition will be on display from June 17-July 19 at The ARTS at Marks Garage. The gallery is open from 11 a.m.to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, plus a half hour before each scheduled performance at the center. 596-8128.

They're not really stupid ... right?

If you missed them last night, don't make the same mistake tonight. Southern California reggae band Slightly Stoopid performs at the Hawaiian Hut, following a show last night with Go Jimmy Go. Tonight's opener will be local band Stone. No doubt about it, Slightly Stoopid's got "Everything You Need." Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door; for 18 and older. 526-4400.