The Buzz

Carnival time in Waimanalo

The Waimanalo carnival is a festival of rides, food and entertainment today through Sunday.

The annual Friends of Waimanalo Carnival offers rides, food and fresh sounds mingled with the sweet country air. The weekend includes EK Fernandez rides and games and local acts each night. Tonight, hear Inoa'ole, Koa'uka, Jordan Segundo and Natural Vibrations. Saturday features 7 Simple Pieces, B.E.T. and Keahiwai. Sunday jams with Milton Kepa and friends, the Nalo Idol talent contest, Sean Na'auao and Kapena.

• 6 p.m.-midnight today, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday / Waimanalo Beach Park / Free admission (wristbands for unlimited rides are $18) / www.friendsofwaimanalo.com, (877) 750-4400

The NOFX alternative

"The War on Errorism" is out, and you can hear the brains behind this album live when California-based NOFX appears here. Despite major band changes since the group's start in the early 1980s, the alternative pop-punkers have labored on through the years, churning out such hits as "S&M Airlines" and "Punk in Drublic." So-Cal punk band Strung Out opens. Doors open at 6 p.m. for this all-ages show.

• 7-10 p.m. Saturday / Pipeline Cafe / $18 / (877) 750-4400

Early peek at Oscars

Can't wait to see if your best-picture pick takes home the gold? Then be there for a live telecast of the 77th annual Academy Awards ceremony and party during Oscar Night America 2005. Presented by the Hawaii International Film Festival, this affair is one of 45 official parties that will be held across the country. Make like a Hollywood A-lister and check out the HIFF Walk of Stars, or try your hand at the Predict the Winners Contest. A silent auction, entertainment, dinner and drinks are included. On TV, the Oscars begin at 7 p.m. on KITV, with a 6:30 p.m. pre-show.

• 3 p.m. Sunday / The Pacific Club / $150 general, $100 HIFF Ohana members / 528-3456, ext. 11

As I Lay Dying in concert

Hard-core/metal band As I Lay Dying is ready to liven up the night. The Southern California rockers' albums include "Frail Words Collapse" and "Beneath the Encasing of Ashes." Local rock band Push the Pedal opens. Doors open at 6 p.m. for this all-ages show.

• 7-10 p.m. today / Pipeline Cafe / $12 / (877) 750-4400

Little Feat rocks into town

Releasing 25 albums in the past 30 years can only be called a Little Feat when you're talking about the free-wheeling rock 'n' roll band from Los Angeles. The seven-member band's unconventional blend of Southern rock, R&B and country has carried on through the years on albums ranging from "Sailin' Shoes" to "Chinese Work Songs." Little Feat is Bill Payne (keyboards, vocals), Paul Barrere (guitar, vocals), Shaun Murphy (vocals, percussion), Sam Clayton (percussion, vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass, vocals), Richie Hayward (drums, vocals) and Fred Tackett (guitar, mandolin, trumpet, vocals). Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday / Pipeline Cafe / $30 advance, $35 at the door, $50 VIP, for 21 and older / 589-1999

Back to the '80s

Tease your bangs and put on your best Hypercolor shirt, because it's time for the Ultimate '80s Weekend. The 80z All Stars, last here in October, returns to play that funky music with more classic '80s hits. The main room boasts everything '80s, with dance tunes, new wave, electro, rocky, heavy metal and booty from DJs KSM, RacerX and Byron the Fur. Upstairs, get your fill of '80s hip-hop and booty with DJs ShawnG, Epic One, Fame, Kee and EJay. An '80s costume contest held on each night of the two-day affair offers $100 cash to the winners. Maleko hosts tonight, with Flash taking the mike on Saturday.

• 9 p.m.-4 a.m. today and Saturday / Wave Waikiki / Presale tickets are $8 one night or $15 for a two-night pass; $10 at the door before midnight (free before 11 p.m. with an '80s outfit), for 21 and older / 941-0424, www.groovetickets.com

For hearts' sake

• 4-7:30 p.m. Sunday / Kapono's / $20 presale, $25 at the door / 538-7021, ext. 24

Persian music in spotlight

• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday / UH-Manoa, Orvis Auditorium / $20 general, $15 students, seniors and military / 944-7177

'Encounters' at ARTafterDARK

ARTafterDARK's monthly event makes its first appearance of the year with the theme "NeoNite: Encounters on the Edge." The theme honors the current exhibit, featuring the work of contemporary German artist Neo Rauch, which is on view until April 17. All galleries will be open that evening, and museum director Stephen Little will lead a ZIP tour through the Neo Rauch exhibit. The night includes the rave mixes of techno, progressive and house from DJ Dr. Motte of Berlin.

• 6-9 p.m. today / Ho-nolulu Academy of Arts / $7 general, free for academy members / 532-6091

Volcano parties flow

The Volcano Party Festival 2005 promises an eruption of fun with five gay-themed parties over three days. This is the fourth year of the signature fund-raiser for the Maui AIDS Foundation. The parties:

• Aloha Welcome Cocktail party happens 6-9 p.m. today at Hula's Bar & Lei Stand. Tickets: $10.
• The Steam opening party is from 9 p.m. today to 3 a.m. tomorrow at host hotel Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. DJ and producer DeMarko from New York is the featured entertainer, with local artists, go-go dancers and a laser light show. Tickets: $25.
• Volcano Party IV on Saturday is the main event, 8 p.m.-3 a.m., at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Miami-based DJ/producer Abel flies in for the show, with additional performances by local artists, go-go dancers and a laser light show. Tickets: $65.
• The Eruption after-hours party takes place in the early morning hours, 1-8 a.m. Sunday at Venus Night Club. DJ/producer Paulo brings in the deep house beats. Tickets: $35.
• The Paradise Pool Party closes the event, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Waikiki Beach Marriott private pool deck. Local DJ Michael Fong is on hand for a Sunday T-dance. Tickets: $15.

Weekend passes are $135 general, $100 kama'aina, which includes admission to all festival events and express VIP entrance. VIP passes for $265 includes all that, plus VIP lounges and drink coupons at most venues and a welcome gift bag. (877) 242-4900, www.volcanoparty.com.