The Buzz

Christmas without Santa? Never!

From left, Scott Izuka is the electronics nerd; Glenn Crowder is the robot; Wilson Guy is Santa; Zig Palagyi is Rudolph; and Janet Harrington is the nasty nurse in The Sounds of Aloha Chorus holiday show.

• 7:34 p.m. Saturday and 4:04 p.m. Sunday / Paliku Theatre / $15 / 262-7664

Sedaka brings do-wop to town

Renowned singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka returns to the Hawai'i Theatre for an acoustic evening. The crooner and song genius generated multiple hit singles, platinum and gold records over the course of his illustrious career. The rock and pop pioneer is the mastermind behind such tunes as "Calendar Girl," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" and "Love Will Keep Us Together."

• 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday / Hawai'i Theatre / $25, $37.50 and $45 / 528-0506

Candy Cane Lane returns

Take a sweet trip down Candy Cane Lane and delight in all the goodies in store. The Bishop Museum brings back this holiday favorite for its second year, with arts and crafts, a holiday train ride, entertainment and of course, Santa Claus. Enjoy entertainment by the Punahou Chamber Singers, Punahou Jazz Band, Pacific School of the Performing Arts, John Valentine and Daniel, Na Pu'ukani and others. Shop for craft items or do-it-yourself with activities like gingerbread cookies, holiday bookmarks, beaded bracelets, Magic Reindeer Food, candleholders, personalized items, hair accessories and ornaments. There is a small fee for some activities.

• 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday / Bishop Museum / $3 per person, free for Bishop Museum Association members / 847-3511

Loose Screws ready to improv

• 8 p.m. today-Saturday, Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / $12 ($2 discount with password "Yatta") / 536-8047

Vessels prep for boats parades

Hawai'i Kai Towne Center brightens up for the holidays during the 8th annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade. Luminous vessels dressed up in their holiday best first assemble in front of Hawai'i Kai Marina for celebrity judges to choose the winners. The parade continues along a designated route through the waterways, with radiantly decorated homes along the shore providing a spectacular backdrop. At the center, state Sen. Bob Hogue provides commentary, with entertainment by the Honolulu Waldorf School Ladies' Choral Society and Ka Hale I o Kahala Halau Hula.

• 4:45-8:30 p.m. Saturday / Hawai'i Kai Towne Center / Free / 941-0440

The Hawai'i Yacht Club also offers a Christmas Boat Parade this weekend. Honolulu Harbor will become a glittering waterway, with more than 50 brilliant boats from the club making the evening sparkle with holiday lights and decorations. On shore, enjoy family entertainment throughout the night.

• 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday / Pier 9, Aloha Tower Marketplace / Free / 566-2337

Jordan and the Boy(s)

• 7:30 p.m. Sunday / Central Union Church / Free / 596-7464

Celebrate the Jingle Bell Run

Now the Jingle Bell Run has begun! What a bright time for the 20th anniversary of the Honolulu Advertiser holiday classic, with a crazy canine costume contest and stroller decorating contest kicking off the fun. It's the right time for Extreme fun games, food booths and prizes. Later, rock the night away with a concert featuring Vaihi, Wendell Kekauoha and Tapa Groove and Imua.

• 5 p.m. Saturday / Alapai Bus Depot, S. King and Alapai streets / $30 adults, $23 groups of four or more and $10 children 12 and younger / 943-8808, ext. 33

The future of entertainment has arrived

Hear Hawai'i's future today when Hawai'i Public Radio presents a live taping of "From the Top." The popular national radio show features five classical-music prodigies or ensembles each week for performances, interviews and sketches. The upcoming concert features local talents Melody Lindsay, 13, from Honolulu on harp, left; Daniel Carvalho, 14, from Kailua on slack-key guitar, center; James Perlman, 13, from Pa'ia, Maui, on bassoon, right; Yohsuke Miyamoto, 18, from Honolulu on piano; and EnchantÚe piano trio with Laura Keller, 16, Dayna Furusawa, 17, and Tiffany Hyun, 16, all from Honolulu. HPR broadcasts the show at 10 a.m. Saturdays on KHPR, KKUA and KANO. Celebrated concert pianist Christopher O'Riley hosts. Recommended for those over 7.

• 7:30 p.m. Wedneday / Hawai'i Theatre / $15, $35, $40 and $45 general, with a $5 discount off the top three price ranges for HPR and Hawai'i Theatre Center members and those 17 and younger / 528-0506

Cartoon figures battle child abuse

Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii presents its 18th annual Breakfast with Santa fund-raiser this weekend. Join St. Nick and his friends Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Barney, Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Sylvester for either breakfast or lunch. The audience will enjoy entertainment by magician Mike Wong, 'Ike Pono, Na Kama, juggler Greg Gabaylo, Tradewinds, Halau Hula O Nalei O Kamakani and Island Magic. The admission price includes a served meal, photo with Santa, face-painting, games, crafts, entertainment and a Christmas gift.

• 8:30-10:30 a.m. or noon-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, Manoa Grand Ballroom / $17 general, free for children under 2 / 440-4613

'The Nutcracker' is on display

There's a multitude of chances to visit the Land of Sweets this weekend and next, when two ballet companies offer "The Nutcracker."

Hawaii State Ballet presents the holiday favorite with Mairi Bell and Joanna Lam as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Jennifer Rowe of State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara guests as the Snow Queen. Dan Sato and Bradley Wong dance as the Sugar Plum's Cavalier.

• 7 p.m. today-Saturday and Dec. 17-18, 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Dec. 18-19 and 6 p.m. Sunday / Mamiya Theatre / $16, $18 and $22 adults, with $2 discounts for seniors and children 12 and younger / 947-2755, 941-7837

Hawaii Ballet Theatre offers its 24th year of this full-length ballet. Hiroko Kurokawa Ota and Alex Forsythe perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Kristin Ing, above, is Clara. After each matinee, the audience is invited to a free Sugarplum Tea with Santa with the cast in costume. During the evening shows, the audience can enjoy free hot chocolate and Starbucks coffee while taking photos with Clara during intermission.

• 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 18 and 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 19 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $24 adults and $20 children, military dependents and seniors; also $12 students for evening shows / 456-8100