THE LEFT LANE
Making an impression

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Can you say spring blockbuster?

Reservations were very brisk the first week the Honolulu Academy of Arts started taking calls for "Japan & Paris: Impressionism, Postimpressionism and the Modern Era."

The first day, more than 400 reservations were taken for Hawai'i's first major exhibition of Impressionist art — on a day when the museum wasn't even open (receptionists were standing by). The tally as of yesterday was nearly 1,500 reservations.

"We're delighted with the reception we're getting from the community," said museum spokeswoman Charlie Aldinger.

The 53-piece exhibit opens April 8 and shows how French art affected Japan around the turn of the 20th century.

Tickets ($15, $10 ages 6-17) are available by phone: 532-8719, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Prank hall of fame

Remember the time your big sister switched the sugar and salt? Or the time Dad turned all the clocks in the house an hour ahead? Or the time your son called you "from jail" — but all those snickers in the background made you wonder?

Yep, nothing inspires creativity like a good April Fool's prank. And if you've ever been a perpetrator, a victim or just a reliable witness to an inspired act of April 1 trickery, we want to hear about it.

Send your best April Fool's story along with your name and phone number to mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com by March 26. If your story is interesting, funny or clever enough, we'll write about it in an Island Life story on April 1.

No foolin'.

The road to Hellboy

"It can be anything from a painting to a sculpture," said store manager Brett Joubert. "We're looking for who's going to best capture Hellboy."

Prizes for the top winner include two tickets to an advance screening of the flick, plus $25 worth of concession munchies; a movie poster autographed by either the cast or filmmaker; a Hellboy prize bag with movie merchandise; and a $25 gift certificate to Last Sanctuary.

The deadline is 3 p.m. March 30. For details, visit Last Sanctuary at 1485 Kapi'olani Blvd., or call 955-2440.