The Buzz

Some like it hot

The fires of hell will be unleashed during an all-night rager featuring 8mm Overdose and 12 other bands. The Hell Awaits metal and hardcore music festival also features the local talents of Debauch, Shadows of Sanctity, Push the Pedal, Dagra, Haole Rot, Lushion, Midnight Ablaze, The Miltons, Limelight, Laissez Faire, Your Accomplice and The Aftermath. This all-ages concert is also the last U.S. show for 8mm Overdose before the band tours Japan next month.

• 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday / Anna Bannana's / $5 21 and older, $7 under 21 / 946-5190

Herwig's homecoming

Trombonist and Punahou alum Conrad Herwig returns home for a gig with former school bandmate John Kolivas and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet. Kolivas plays bass with the quartet, which also features Dan Del Negro on keyboard, Tim Tsukiyama on sax and Adam Baron on drums. Now calling New York City home, Herwig is a two-time Grammy nominee who has played with such jazz greats as the Buddy Rich Orchestra, Clarke Terry Big Band and Miles Davis.

• 7:30 p.m. today / Doris Duke Theatre / $25 adults, $23 Academy of Arts members, seniors, students and military / 532-8700

Herwig also gets his jazz groove on with Iolani School's stage bands.

• 4 p.m. Sunday / Hawai'i Convention Center main auditorium / Free / 943-2244

Country with a twist

• 9 p.m. tonight at Anna Bannana's / 8 p.m. Saturday at Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Pikake Pavilion / $20 advance, $25 at the door / 946-5190, 591-9133, 637-6067

50th State Fair returns

The 50th State Fair is back and higher than ever.

New this year is the 165-foot-high thrill ride Skyscraper, which takes riders through the air at 60 miles per hour. Also making debuts are the Speedway race track and Spring Ride free fall.

The Hawai'i Student Film Festival showcases films and videos by local students at 6 p.m. May 28. The Hyper Squad Dance Company opens the festival with DJ Rude Dog spinning his sounds. The Magic of Kaulana emcees and performs tricks. American Idol finalist Jordan Segundo performs and presents an award, and the local cast of "29 Down" also presents.

The Ohana Hotels and Resorts sponsors a free concert series with a different artist every weekend. Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company, performs at 8 p.m. May 29-30, and Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, at 8 p.m. June 10-11. Akon performs 8 p.m. June 18-19.

On May 30 from noon to 7 p.m., Martial Arts Day includes fencing demonstrations, capoeira and lion dancing.

Those 21 and younger can get into club mode during the MADD 808 Teen Zone Dance Party at 6 p.m. on June 3 and 17.

Cultural food and entertainment add to the fun with a Brazilian Festival, Japanese Cultural Fair and Highlands Culture Day. From noon to 9 p.m. June 4, the Brazilian Culture Center of Hawaii showcases capoeira, a samba parade, a fashion show, the Aloha Brazil Band, Brazilian food and DJ Caju of KTUH. The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i offers songs, dances, martial arts and keiki origami from noon to 5 p.m. June 18. From noon to 7 p.m. June 19, the Hawaiian Scottish Association features Irish dance with bagpipes and scotch whiskey tasting.

The Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages hosts Keiki Art Day from noon to 4 p.m. June 5, with all 875 keiki artwork entries.

Let the gambling bug out at a poker tournament from noon to 6 p.m. June 12.

The JN Automotive Group showcases cars and trucks during the Hawaii State Auto Show, featured during the duration of the fair.

A fun pass is available through Ticketmaster and is good for one fair admission plus a wristband for unlimited rides from either noon to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to closing. The fun pass is $20 through Wednesday, and $23 after. Wristbands are not valid on the Skyscraper.

May 30 is Military Appreciation Day, with free admission for military personnel and their dependents with ID. The popular Pepsi Days are back from noon to 6 p.m. June 5 and 12; bring an empty Pepsi can for $5 off a fun pass. Opening day is Dollar Night, where admission, rides (except Skyscraper), hot dogs and soda are all $1.

Parking at the stadium is $5 per vehicle on Thursdays, Fridays and Memorial Day, and after 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Before 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, parking is 50 cents per person in the vehicle.

• 6 p.m. Thursday, June 9 and Fridays, and noon May 30 and Saturdays and Sundays; through June 19 / Aloha Stadium / admission on concert days: $3 noon-6 p.m. and $5 6 p.m. to closing for 12 and older, $2 for ages 4-11 and free for 3 and younger; admission on non-concert days: $3 for 12 and older, $2 for ages 4-11 and free for 3 and younger / www.ekfernandez.com

Hula highs

Students from public and private schools around the state will converge for a day of Hawaiian culture, language and dance. The Hawai'i Secondary Schools Hula Kahiko Competition features students performing traditional-style hula in the kane, wahine or hui 'ia (combined) categories. Middle schools taking part include Kamehameha (Kapalama and Maui campuses), King Intermediate (above), Kohala, Mililani, Punahou and Wahiawa. Participating high schools include Baldwin, Farrington, Kamehameha, Kailua, Lutheran, Mid-Pacific Institute, Mililani, Punahou and Sacred Hearts.

• 10 a.m. Saturday / Punahou School, Hemmeter Fieldhouse / $7 / 521-6905

Celebrating three decades

The Honolulu Boy Choir invites you to share its vision during the 30th anniversary gala I Have a Dream concert and silent auction. Alumni, 'Ale'a, Terrance Tom and a 5-year-old fire dancer join in the program, which features new entertainment from the choir. More than 200 items will be up for bid, and heavy pupu will be served. Proceeds benefit the tuition-free music performance program for boys.

• 4 p.m. Sunday / Mamiya Theatre / $50 / 550-8457

Piano treat

Les Peetz, left, and former Island resident Clyde Pound, right, team up again for a two-piano concert of rhythm and jazz. Steve Jones joins in on bass with Darryl Pellegrini on drums. The program's diverse repertoire of jazz standards, originals and improv includes works from Jelly Roll Morton and Bill Evans to Ravel and Bartok. This free-for-all comes courtesy of the Hawai'i Chamber Orchestra Society and ABC Stores.

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday / Doris Duke Theatre / Free / 532-8700

Reggae to the core

An apple a day keeps the doctor away and keeps the reggae vibes here to stay. Roots reggae band Groundation, above, returns to the islands with singer-songwriter Apple Gabriel for shows featuring two full sets of music. Kickoff is Wednesday night with Irie Souls; the next night features Ooklah the Moc.

• 10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday / Pipeline Cafe / $20, for 18 and older / 589-1999

The shows travel to the Aloha Theater on the Big Island on May 27, Paradice Bluze on Maui on May 28 and then back to O'ahu for a final concert at Don Ho's on May 29.