The Buzz

Kenny Endo will perform with the Honolulu Symphony tonight and Sunday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The weather forecast calls for "Thunder From the East!" this weekend as the Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season continues. The program includes the world premiere of Zhou Long's Concerto for Taiko and Timpani, as well as works by Mozart, Borodin and Bart÷k. The symphony's Stuart Chafetz plays timpani with Kenny Endo on taiko. Samuel Wong conducts.

• 8 p.m. today and 4 p.m. Sunday / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64 / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

Sunday is also Kids' Day at the symphony. Starting at 2 p.m., those 3 and older can enjoy an instrument petting zoo on the lanai, Blockbuster Game Rush in the lobby and concert conversations on the lawn.

Dayton troupe in concert

Get a dose of dramatic modern dance when the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company takes the spotlight. Founded by Dayton, Ohio, native Jeraldyne Blunden in 1968, the electrifying dance ensemble focuses on modern dance's African-American roots. Pieces to be performed in the diverse program include "Traffic," "Children of the Passage," "Awassa Astrige/Ostrich" and "Aerodigm."

• 8 p.m. Saturday / Leeward Community College Theatre / $25 adults, $20 students, seniors and military / 455-0385

Touching the funnybone

Yuk it up this April Fools' Day when the comedy concert Make Me Laugh 4! travels to the west side of the island. Mel Cabang and Kaleo Pilanca headline this laughfest, with Cathy Tanaka, Stan Egi, Da Hawaiian Guy from Molokai and Braddah Elroy rounding out the bill.

• 7:30 p.m. today / Dot's in Wahiawa / $15 advance, $20 at the door / 622-4115

Edessa offers diverse sounds

The International Folk Dancers of Hawaii present a culturally diverse concert with the lively ensemble Edessa. The group uses traditional and modern instruments for music that ranges from mesmerizing to lyrical, from haunting to contemporary. The first concert features Ottoman Turkish and Gypsy music; the second, Greek, Macedonian, Albanian, Bulgarian and Serbian sounds.

• 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday / Doris Duke Theatre / $18 general, $15 students, seniors, military and Academy members / 941-6453, 239-7078, 532-8700

Celebrating music

The 8th annual Hawaii Music Awards honors the people's choice winners from the 29 categories of music after an online voting campaign that ended in February, along with the winners of special music categories. Honorees include Michael Nakasone for the 2005 Governor's Fine Arts Award; Danny Kaleikini for the 2005 Mayor's Performing Arts Award; and Jasmine Trias for the 2004 Entertainer of the Year. Entertainment during the evening include the Hawaii Music Awards All-Star Jazz Ensemble, Agnes Kimura, Danny Couch, Pali, Vaihi and 7 Simple Pieces. Sonya Mendez emcees. Presented by the Music Foundation of Hawaii; proceeds from the event benefit the foundation.

• 5 p.m. dinner seating, 5:45 p.m. awards show seating Sunday / Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom / $60 dinner seating, $25 awards show seating / 951-6699, 271-5853

On auto pilot

The First Hawaiian 2005 International Auto Show continues in high gear with 2005 vehicles and sneak previews at 2006 models, too. Displays that will get your engine going include the AAA Funny Car, Aftermarket Alley, Nissan Z and Exotic Car.

Today's theme is AAA Hawaii Day, with the first 100 paid entrants receiving a free gift. Patrons can also meet Funny Car Driver Tyler Taba between noon and 8 p.m. or visit "American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias for an autograph 7:30 to 9 p.m. today.

Sunday is Kids' Day, with those 12 and younger entering free with a paying adult. The first 500 keiki through the doors receive a free McDonald's Happy Meal Toy. Character appearances on Sunday include Hamburglar noon to 4 p.m. and SpongeBob SquarePants noon to 3 p.m.

The Advertiser is a sponsor of the auto show.

• Noon-10:30 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday / Hawai'i Convention Center / $7 those 13 and older, $5 those 62 and older, military and students with ID, $4 those 7-12 and free for those 6 and younger / www.hawaiiautoshow.com

A bit of Scottish culture

Advertiser library photo

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday / Kapi'olani Park / Free / 262-7550

After the Saturday games, there will be a buffet dinner and local Celtic entertainment at 5 p.m. in the Elks Lodge. Tickets are $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door.

Celebrating 'Kokoro'

Romeo S. Collado • Japanese Women's Society of Honolulu Origami, which originates from the two Japanese words, oru (to fold) and kami (paper), is said to have started in China about 2,000 years ago. Saturday's mini matsuri includes an origami demonstration.

The best-selling book "Kokoro: Cherished Japanese Traditions in Hawai'i" comes to life in an exhibit that celebrates its grand opening this weekend with a mini matsuri, or festival. Attractions include demonstrations of various arts and traditions featured in the book, such as sushi, chigirie (Japanese paper art), bonsai and Japanese calligraphy. There will also be performances of Taisho koto (a string instrument made during the Taisho period), odori (Japanese dance) and martial arts.

The Japanese Women's Society of Honolulu compiled "Kokoro" to preserve Japanese traditions for future generations. The exhibit continues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays through June 10.

• 1-4 p.m. Saturday / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i Community Gallery / Free / 945-7633

Make-A-Wish benefit

The Boys Bunch presents its 19th annual April Foolish Party, which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation Hawaii. This event features the music of The King Pins and Henry Kapono, above, along with door prizes and merrymaking all around. Ticket prices include heavy pupu from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and one drink.

• 5 p.m.-midnight today / Kapono's / $25 advance, $30 at the door, for 21 and older / 537-3118, 536-2161, ext. 107

It's another First Friday

"Angle of Incidents = Angel of Reflection" by Katie Rose Ranney, a senior at St. Andrew's Priory, will be among the works featured at the Louis Pohl Gallery.

This month's First Friday gallery walk showcases offerings from more than 20 venues. Among the events:

• Meet and greet the local artists behind "Rooster Rock," which celebrates the cocky colorful bird through a mix of media at Cafe Che Pasta.
• At thirtyninehotel, view "Nothing Happens Sometimes: New Works and Video" by filmmaker/photographer Sergio Goes.
• Louis Pohl Gallery features works by St. Andrew's Priory School visual arts students and teachers in "Layers." Also check out "Louis Pohl — Originals and Prints" and new works by Bruce Behnke, Frances Hill and Gallyn.
• The ARTS at Marks Garage hosts multimedia interactive installations in "Right to Know: A Freedom of Information Exhibition," dedicated to Freedom of Information Day. An artist reception has DJ Spychedelic spinning.
• Michael Tanenbaum and Randy Wheeler provide acoustic guitar sounds at The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center. The gallery/bank will be closed 6 to 7 p.m.
• Bethel Street Gallery showcases "Moments of Reflection," with work by Mark Kadota.
• The Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District sponsors "Crooked Fence," an outdoor gallery at the top of Pauahi Street where artists may hang their work. The display will be open 4 to 9 p.m.
• The Hawai'i Theatre will be open for free self-guided tours 6 to 9 p.m., with docents available to share the history of the venue.

Other participating locales include Toshiko Takaezu Ceramics Studio at the YWCA, Hawai'i State Art Museum, The Pegge Hopper Gallery, Mercury, Hanks Cafe Honolulu, Ramsay Museum and Color Street Gallery.

• 5-9 p.m. today / Various downtown galleries and studios / Free / 521-2903

First Thursdays turns 2

First Thursdays is marking its two-year anniversary and to celebrate, they're breaking the rules. The night of performance poetry, live art and open mike features a "no rules" slam, where almost anything goes. Team pieces, musical accompaniment, cover poems, props, etc. will be allowed; the only rule still in effect is a 3-minute time limit. Afro-Cuban drum ensemble Tambito Aöa performs, and Kealoha hosts. Doors open at 7:45 p.m.

• 8:30 p.m. Thursday / Hawaiian Hut / $3 before 8:30 p.m., $5 after / 387-9664