The Buzz

Dance 'Tribute' this weekend

Dance Central instructors include top row from left, Mara Bacon, Anna Gomes, John Willis III, Adrienne Lampitelli, Kim Reincke; front row from left: Jacie Ann Oda, Shannon Nakata, Paula Arcena.

A laugh fest with Rex

Start off a weekend of laughs as Filipino-American stand-up comedian Rex Navarrete returns to Honolulu tonight for a look at "real Rex moments" via the Husky Boy Tour. Navarrete's albums include the well-received "Badly Browned" and "Husky Boy," plus his latest release, "Bastos." Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show lasts from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Hawaiian Hut. Tickets are $25. 548-0335.

Continue on the laugh track at 8 p.m. Saturday as On the Spot improv troupe presents "Home is Where the Improv Is." Tickets for the comedy show at The ARTS at Marks Garage are $10 general and $7 students. 521-2903.

And over at Sharkey's Comedy Club in All Star Hawaii, Kivi Rogers continues at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday. The club recently introduced new times for headlining acts: Next is Steve Altman, at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Aug. 14 and 10:30 p.m. Aug. 13-14. Cover is $12, with a two-drink minimum. Following Altman's Thursday act, there will be open mike with a $5 cover. 531-4242.

Pennywise rocks Pipeline

Pennywise heads for a gig at the Pipeline Café Thursday.

Fabrics in focus

The 9th Annual Sew-Quilt Embroidery and Craft Festival offers three days of fun for all at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Don't miss exhibitors from Hawai'i, the Mainland and Canada offering stage seminars, make 'n' take projects, workshops, demonstrations and shopping. There will also be a Hawaiian quilt display and the International Fabric Challenge Winners exhibit for your browsing pleasure. Expo times are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $6, and children up to age 13 are free. Coupons for a $1 off admission are available at local sewing and fabric, and Ben Franklin stores or www.pcmexpo.com.

Afternoon of the cello

Cellist Mineo Hayashi travels from Switzerland to perform in concert during a presentation of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Outreach College. Originally from Tokyo, Hayashi became the first Japanese cellist to play all of Bach's Six Suites for a Cello Solo in one concert in 1985. Pianist Yukie Okuyama joins him in concert. Showtime is 4 p.m. Sunday in the UH Orvis Auditorium. Tickets are $20 general and $15 students, seniors, military, and UH faculty and staff. 944-2697, 956-8246.

Tino and crew celebrate

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel mainstay Tino & the Rhythm Klub hosts a CD-release party Saturday night in its regular Esprit Nightclub haunt. B.E.T. and Epic Session also are coming over for the festivities. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $10. 922-4422.

Maunalua in concert

Another First Friday on tap

Downtown Honolulu's popular First Friday gallery walk gears up for another night on the town. From 5 to 9 tonight, doors to art venues in the area open up for free browsing and entertainment. Participating locations this month include Eleven Thirty Two Bishop Street, Got Art?, Hanks CafÚ Honolulu, Na Mea Hawai'i, Pegge Hopper Gallery, Ramsay Museum, Soullenz Gallery, Studio of Roy Venters and Flor de Cardo Galleria Boutique. Step into summer at The ARTS at Marks Garage, which has been transformed into a beach house by the Pacific Handcrafters Guild. Atelier 4 Fine Art Gallery features the works of Peggy Chun and Marc Turner. Musician Randy Wheeler plays at the Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, although the venue will not be open 6-7 p.m. The Hawai'i State Art Museum brings in 'ukulele master Gordon Mark to play in the galleries amidst its current exhibit, "Enriched by Diversity: The Art of Hawai'i." At Studio 1, Jerome James Jazz Trio is the featured musical artist from 8 to 10 p.m. The festive atmosphere includes two galleries celebrating their grand openings. Jeff Chang Pottery is in the midst of a grand-opening week at 808 Fort Street Mall, with crafts from local and Mainland artisans. Louis Pohl Gallery opens up next to Indigo Restaurant on Nu'uanu Avenue with works of local artists, some of whom were Pohl's students. 521-2903.

After-hours parties includes Living Theater with Intrepid, Jerome and DJ Oliver Twist from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Studio 1. Cover is $5 for 21 and older, after 9 p.m. 550-8701. Also, Girl Fest's First Friday after party, "The Muse," drops from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Mercury nightclub on Fort Street Mall. The lineup includes DJ Lady J, DJ Celine and Maria and company. Cover is $5, for 21 and older. Proceeds benefit the Safe Zone Foundation. 599-3931.

Piano man in two final gigs

Pianist Bob Barry from Piano One Records wraps up a five-week tour of Honolulu with two more shows this week. Hailing from Harrisburg, Pa., the new-age and smooth-jazz musician performed at spots including the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Veranda, Onstage Drinks and Grinds, Brew Moon and Anna Bannanas. From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Barry is part of the performance lineup that precedes Sunset on the Beach. And at 6 p.m. Wednesday, he plays at a poolside concert at Discovery Bay in Waikiki. www.bobbarrypiano.com.