The Buzz

Growing up in the South

Actor Charles Holt performs a one-man show of "Black Boy," an autobiography by Richard Wright that has been adapted into a play. Holt, originally from Tennessee, will play 20 characters from the drama about growing up in the segregated South. Holt has previously performed in "The Lion King" on Broadway as well as on television and films, including "Law and Order," "Generation X" and "Autumn in New York." A question-and-answer period follows the performance.

• 7:30 p.m. today / Paliku Theatre / Free / 956-7348

Heavy on the cheese

Gordon Brie, Bobby Ricotta, Richard Cheese and Frank Feta bring their lounge versions of rock hits to Wave Waikiki today and Sunday.

Hear your favorite songs as never before when Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine return for two nights to celebrate the release of their new CD, "Aperitif for Destruction." Even the lactose-intolerant can enjoy the lounge-lizard groove Cheese takes on hits such as 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny," Guns N Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" and Green Day's "American Idiot." Bender Trio and Plumpus open up each night. Missing Dave performs after tonight's concert. Doors open at 8 p.m. for these 21-and-older shows.

• 9 p.m. today and Sunday / Wave Waikiki / $15 presale, $20 at the door before 11 p.m. / groovetickets.com, 941-0424

Wild times begin at the zoo

Take a walk on the wild side as Starbucks revives the summertime Wildest Show in Town concert series. This year, there are six Wednesday concerts, starting with the jazz beats of Noel Okimoto and Friends. The series kick-off also includes a drawing for a Pono 'Ukulele and a Lahaina 'Ukulele; one 'ukulele will be given away each week during the rest of the concerts' run. Other attractions are a keiki coloring contest and dusk tours of the zoo. Gates open at 4:35 p.m.

• 6-7 p.m. Wednesday / Honolulu Zoo lawn / $2

The art of John Nichols — above is a portrait of jazz legend Miles Davis — is featured at Mercury though Aug. 1.

It's another First Friday

Get your art on as July kicks off with the First Friday downtown gallery walk. Tonight's offerings include:

• The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center features the exhibit "Honolulu to New York" from 7 to 9 p.m. with acoustic guitar by Randy Wheeler.
• Pacific Traditions Gallery's night exhibit boasts the theme "One Love," with works by the Hawaii YOUth Nonviolence Project. Music by the Polyfarians Band.
• The Cathedral Gallery celebrates its addition to the First Friday map with a champagne reception and works by Bahja.
• At Tea at 1024, meet artist Kloe Kang of "The Muse."
• The Nesting House offers music by Christian indie '80s rock band Chasing Grace.
• The ARTS at Marks Garage holds a reception for "Summer Small Kine Show" with an Aloha Friday soundtrack and painting demonstrations.

Other participating locations include the Louis Pohl Gallery, thirtyninehotel, Cafe Che Pasta, the Toshiko Takaezu Ceramics Studio at the YWCA, Got Art?, the Bethel Street Gallery, the Pegge Hopper Gallery, Studio of Roy Venters, the Hawai'i State Art Museum, Hanks Cafe Honolulu, the Ramsay Museum, F/22 Gallery, the Gillian Armour Studio, Jeff Chang Pottery, Mercury, Next Door, Sharky's Tattoo and Poodles Snack and Gift Shop.

• 5-9 p.m. today / Various art venues / Free / 521-2903

Look! Up in the sky!

Get a front-row seat for this summer's smash hit as the Bishop Museum hosts the Comet Collision Countdown viewing party. A NASA space probe and comet Tempel 1 are on course for a historic smack at 7:52 p.m. Hawai'i time as part of the NASA mission Deep Impact. Your binoculars and telescopes are welcome, and members of the University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy and the Hawaiian Astronomical Society will give guests access to their telescopes. Other attractions include hands-on activities, planetarium and StarLab shows and lectures by UH astronomers.

• 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday / Bishop Museum Great Lawn / $3 general, free for museum members and children under 3 / 847-3511

Like the Beatles and Beach Boys

Head down Abbey Road to "Help! The Homeless," a benefit concert featuring headliners BeatleMania, top photo. The group portrays the hits and looks of The Beatles. Beach Boys tribute band Still Surfin', above, also performs, along with Surfjam, Wasabi, Vaihi, Juke Joint and H2O. Former Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio hosts, and Mayor Mufi Hannemann also appears. Gates open at 4 p.m., and $5 of every ticket benefits the Salvation Army.

• 5:30 p.m. Saturday / Waikiki Shell / $15-$50 / (877) 750-4400

The blue and the gray

Advertiser library photo

Observe a Living History noncompetitive black-powder shoot as the Hawai'i Historic Arms Association presents the 9th annual Battle of Gettysburg Civil War Memorial Shoot. The event commemorates the 142nd anniversary of the largest battle fought in the United States with re-enactors firing antique muzzle-loaders and percussion revolvers. Bring earplugs and eye protection, such as eyeglasses or sunglasses.

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday / Koko Head Shooting Range, Rifle Range / Free; donations welcome / 395-6884, 247-4295, 946-8183

Jazz quartet celebrates

Hear the "Sounds of the City" as the Honolulu Jazz Quartet — from left, John Kolivas, Dan Del Negro, Adam Baran and Tim Tsukiyama — celebrates its 4th anniversary with a concert at Studio 6. The contemporary jazz group held its first performance there, back in August 2001. It released its first full-length CD, "Sounds of the City," in February 2004, and plan to release the next recording in spring 2006.

• 8 p.m. Tuesday / Studio 6, Musicians Association of Hawaii, 949 Kapi'olani Blvd. / $7 / 596-2905

Speak up at First Thursdays

Alea Schecter Brenda Kwon took a turn at the mike at a recent First Thursday.

First Thursdays returns this month with the Big Prize slam. Poems with an international theme are requested, with the winning poet receiving two round-trip tickets to a Neighbor Island, sponsored by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. Aside from a 3-minute time limit, there are no restrictions, because the monthly poetry competition is in the middle of a No Rules summer. Funky rock collective X-Factor performs, with other attractions including live painters, massages and a guest DJ. 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

Extreme Wars afterparty

The stars keep on coming even after Extreme Wars X-1 finishes in the ring, as the ultimate fighters head over to Feng Shui for an all-star afterparty. The fight-card roster includes Dan Severn (The Beast), Ricco Rodriguez, Reuben Villarreal, Jeff Monson, Rich Wilson and Chris Brennan. Hawaii All-Stars include Mark Moreno, Ronald Jhun, Kaleo Kwan, Sidney Silva and Harris Sarmiento. B.E.T. provides the grooves.

• Doors open 9 p.m. Saturday / Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Ciao Mein and Poolside Bar / $10, for 21 and older / 957-0303