The Buzz

The Vandals are back in town

Formed in 1981, the Vandals hard-core punk band has still got it going on. The band's quirky and edgy sound comes from members Dave Quackenbush on vocals, Warren Fitzgerald on guitar, Joe Escalante on bass and Josh Freese on drums. Their music has spawned about a dozen albums, including "Look What I Almost Stepped In" and "Peace Through Vandalism."

The Ex-Superheroes and The Enhancements are the opening acts.Tickets are $17.50 for this all-ages show. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Pipeline Café. (877) 750-4400.

Advertiser library photo

A Kapi'olani Park tribute to the military

Salute the men and women who serve our country during Military Ohana Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Kapi'olani Park and bandstand. Among the attractions is a full slate of entertainment by the all-new Shanghai Circus, Greg Wilson, Imua, Alec B., Hula Halau Olana, Germaine's Luau Halau, Simplisity, Wild Orchid String Band, 7 Simple Pieces, Vaihi, Squirrel Hunters, Bo Irvine, Gordon Freitas & Local Folk, Rozie the Clown and the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Family activities include face painting for keiki, inflatable jumpers, slides and a rock climbing wall, balloons and clowns, videotaping of messages for departing soldiers, and a kite-flying demonstration.

Free food and drink coupons will be available for those with a military ID, as well as discounted admission to the Honolulu Zoo. After the festival, head across the street to Queen's Surf Beach for Sunset on the Beach, sponsored by the Sony Open. The fun continues with entertainment by Duchicela and Alex B. and a viewing of the movie "Daddy Day Care." Sunday's Sunset on the Beach features entertainment by Pohaku and the movie "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."

Admission is free. 586-8505, 923-1094.

Three concerts fill HPR's studio

Hawai'i Public Radio continues a busy month of entertainment at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio with three concerts this weekend. Tickets for each night are $17.50 general, $15 HPR members and $10 students. Reservations: 955-8821.

• The Eric Petersen Band — featuring Eric Petersen on keyboard, guitar and vocals, Paul Chun on bass and Don Lee on drums — performs at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday in benefit concerts for HPR. Various guests join the band each night, with an acoustic set opening up the evening, followed by an electric set.
• Matthew Hinsley, above, rounds out the weekend with "Passions Move: Art Songs Through the Ages." At 4 p.m. Sunday, the tenor and classical guitarist will provide an art song repertoire with music by Federico Moretti, John Dowland, Johan Kasper Mertz, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Federico Moreno Torroba, Jonathan Kulp and Francisco Terrega.Bluesman Travis Haddix in concert

You don't have to wait for a blue moon to enjoy good blues because Travis "Moonchild" Haddix is set to perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday at O'Toole's Pub in downtown Honolulu. The songwriter and blues guitarist hails from Mississippi and was inspired early in life by the legendary B.B. King. Hear Haddix's award-winning sound while he's backed by James Ronstadt on harp and vocals, James Ganeko on drums, Milan Bertosa on bass and Bobby Ingano on guitars. Tickets are $10 general and $8 for Hawai'i Public Radio and Hawaii Blues Society members. 943-0500.

Shanghai Circus comes to town

Chinatown celebrates a new year

Kung hee fat choy!

Say farewell to the Year of the Sheep and welcome the Year of the Monkey during a Night in Chinatown Festival and parade on Saturday. Sun Hung "Sunny" Wong, known around town as the honorary mayor of Chinatown, said the celebration "happens before the new year to welcome the coming of the Chinese new year," which starts Jan. 22. Sponsored by the Chinatown Merchants Association along with the City & County of Honolulu and Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, the celebration includes all-day festivities and a parade.

Starting at 9 a.m., Miss Chinatown 2003 and her court will visit neighborhood stores for a new-year blessing. From 9 to 10:30 p.m., food and crafts booths and crowds will fill Maunakea Street. At 4 p.m., the annual Night in Chinatown Parade starts at the state Capitol and travels down Hotel Street to River Street. Among the participants of the parade will be the Royal Hawaiian Band, lion dancers and a 150-foot dragon.

After the parade, enjoy performances of music and kung fu demonstrations on the street. Two stages will be set up, one at Maunakea and King streets and the other at Maunakea and Pauahi streets.

As an added bonus, Wong said, the next morning at 11 a.m., the public can witness the blessing of two 100-foot dragons in the Chinese Cultural Plaza courtyard.

The red and golden dragon blessings are courtesy of the Lung Hong Physical Culture Club and Buddha's Light International Association.

Admission is free. www.chinatownhi.com.

All in the 'Ohana at Sunday's festival

The festival starts off with the annual tradition of mochi pounding on the Mo'ili'ili Field, followed by entertainment including the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii, the Brazilian martial arts group Capoiera Hawaii, Okinawan and Japanese musical group Katare, singer Jon Yamasato and slack-key artist Ozzie Kotani.

At the JCCH, the entertainment roster includes an Okinawan lion dance (right) by the the Young Okinawans of Hawaii, followed by traditional Japanese folk dances, Filipino cultural dances, a Korean dance and drum group and the Chinese Lion Dance Association.

And don't forget about the food! This year's festival menu includes ozoni (traditional Japanese New Year's mochi in soup), andagi, lumpia, fish or vegetable jun, pastas by Catania Ristorante Italiano, Hawaiian plates by Sisters' Cafe, and Outback Steakhouse steaks. Food scrips are 50 cents each.

Admission is free. 945-7633.

How to get listed in TGIF

The Great Index to Fun, the weekend version, is a regular feature of The Advertiser.

To be included in our Friday arts and entertainment section, submit items in writing at least 10 days in advance to:

Or fax to 525-8055

e-mail: tgif@ HonoluluAdvertiser.com

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