IT'S LIVE: THIS WEEK ONLY

First Friday. Guide yourself to the galleries and other venues downtown and in Chinatown that showcase the arts. 5-9 p.m. today, 521-2903.

Ho'omalie CD Release Party. Let the nostalgic nahenahe style of music relax you. 6-9 p.m. today, Honolulu Club, Ward Ave. 543-3900.

Hot Buttered Rum, with opening act Paula Fuga. 7:30 p.m. today, rRed Elephant; repeats 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with Steve Inglis. 550-8457.

The Crud rawks out! 8:30 p.m. today, Kahuna's Sports Bar & Grill, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i (military ID required); 18/older. 254-7660.

Surf Night. With Go Jimmy Go, prizes, swimwear fashion show and bikini contest. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. today, Kemo'o Farm, The Pub; 21/older. 621-1835.

Soulmedic and JahWorks the Revolutionary. Roots reggae, also with Mama-t, in Kaka'ako. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Bliss; 18/older. 528-4911.

All Island Rager, presented by 98.5, with live bands — yow, just the way we like 'em! Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday, Pipeline Cafe; 18/older. 589-1999.

"On The Spot: A Pa'ina Christmas." A yule party takes a turn toward the supernatural. 8 p.m. Saturday, The ARTS at Marks Garage. 550-8457.

Pearl Jam. With opening act Kings of Leon. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 Saturday, Blaisdell Center. (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

Dave Alvin & The Guilty Men. Also with The Dynamic Shuffle Kings. Whole lot of blues goin' on! 8 p.m. Saturday, Anna Bannana's. 946-5190.

Keahiwai. Island duo will perform cuts from and autograph its CD, titled "Merry Christmas." 8 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Grind Method Party, featuring local bands. Musical grinds, we're guessing. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Don Ho's Island Grill; 21/older. 528-0807.

Late Night at The Pyramids, presented by Hawaii Belly Dancer Monthly Magazine, 6-10 p.m. Sunday, Anna Bannana's. 946-5190.

Hot Buttered Rum, with opening act Jake Shimabukuro. Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 Sunday, Waimea Valley Audubon Center. 550-8457.

Special Christmas Concert, with Kalaeloa. It's getting to be the season. 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Elegant Dive. 923-1234.

Bringing Back Kerouac. Open-mike poetry. with special guests Melvin Borja and Lyz Soto. 8:30-11 p.m. Tuesday, Anna Bannana's. 946-5190.

Kaleidoscope, with The Malcognitas. Color us alt-rock seekers, with a touch of the Goth. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday, NextDoor; 21/older. 548-6398.

ON THE TURNTABLES

DJ Doc Martin. L.A. represents, with the Nu Swing Project and DJ Fannie. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. today, NextDoor; 21/older. 548-6398.

The Enterprise Party! with DJs Money, Vagina and Ross Jackson. Scotty, beam us up already! 9 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Detox Lounge. 526-0200.

DJ Andy Caldwell, with DJ Mark and Archangel. Caldwell is a master of house. 9 p.m. Saturday, Lotus Soundbar, 2301 Kuhio Ave. 924-1688.

Ras Youth monthly party launches with backing band Isouljahs. Guest: DJ Zacharijah. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, NextDoor; 21/older. 548-6398.

Skyline. Special guests DJ Steve Aoki and actress Kelly Hu. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Sheraton Waikiki hotel, Hanohano Room; 21/older. 921-4600.

Acid Wash. With DJs Vegas Mike, Nocturna, GSpot, Quiksilva and special guests. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday, NextDoor; 21/older. 548-6398.

Love Oven. DJs H.O.P., Eskae, MC Killawattz Mongoose, special guest Dave Mergen on sax. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, NextDoor; 21/older. 548-6398.

NOTABLE, NEW AND NOT-SO-NEW: DJS, BANDS AND SPACES

Lush Life. With resident DJ Mr. Nick, a spinner of jazzy downtempo, house and drum-n-bass. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, thirtyninehotel. 599-2552.

Rock Star Fridays. DJed rawk, rap, reggae, Sublime and long lines of club newbies. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, Brew Moon; 18/older. www.verticaljunkies.com.

World Tour — Asia Beat. DJs Euphoric, Da Lion of Judah. Upscale, two dance floors. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays, Zanzabar Night Club; 21/older. 924-3939.

Bamboleo. Dance, we said, dance! Brazilian and Latin under the stars. 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Fridays, Spada Bar and Restaurant; 18/older. 538-3332.

Syllabus. A variety of turntablists spins hip-hop, reggae and soul cutz for baked ziti. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, Cafe Che Pasta; 21/older. 524-0004.

Wonder Lounge: New Chapter. Same fashionable club kids. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, Wonderland at the W Honolulu; 21/older. 922-3734.

Cheddar. Ferment in two rooms of sound; hold the white bread. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays, The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf; 21/older. 395-2100.

Skin. Please don't wear your birthday suit. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. first and third Fridays, Fashion 45, Waikiki Trade Center; 21/older. www.fashion45hawaii.com.

Lucky Tiger, when whatever feels right gets on the sound system. Roar! 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, thirtyninehotel; 21 and older. 599-2552.

The Monkey Bar, featuring DJs delve1der and XL, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Ciao Mein, Hyatt Regency; 21/older. www.verticaljunkies.com.

A Midsummer Night's Trance, Euro dance and trance. Close your eyes ... dance! 10 p.m. Saturdays, Club Promo, 325 Seaside Ave. 351-1597.

Electr01yfe. Ever so musically eclectic. Ever so loungey. Ever so downtown cool. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Indigo Eurasian Cuisine. 521-2900.

Like it Tight, funk, house and belly dancing, oh my! 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Yanni's Restaurant, Restaurant Row; 21/older. 234-1006.

Salsa & Reggaeton Dance Club, with DJs and the Friikiitonas Dancers. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Cafe Che Pasta; 18/older. 524-0004.

The Next Level and Speakeasy. Crowds pile in after 2 a.m. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays, The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf; 21/older. 395-2100.

Nu Swing Project. Intricate Mediums gets a new name but keeps Maria Remos' silky voice. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Mondays, Jazz Minds Art & Cafe. 945-0800.

Hot Latin Tuesdays. Salsa, merengue, reggaeton in an oddly non-Latin room. 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Tuesdays, Zanzabar Night Club; 18/older. 924-3939.

Newjass Quartet. The cool kids flock to this Chinatown loft for live modern, groove-filled jazz. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesdays, thirtyninehotel; 21/older. 599-2552.

Endless Summer Camp. With DJs SubZero and Durtie Rice, it's a super hot spot. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays, The O Lounge; 18/older. 944-8436.

Salsa After Hours, with DJs Papi, Jose and Ever. Dance it up! 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays, Carnaval Las Palmas, Restaurant Row; 21/older. 285-0072.

Riot. Have yet to see a riot at Hula's, but anything's possible, and with shirtless bartenders. 9 p.m. Thursdays, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand. 923-0669.

Redda Fire. Reggae and dancehall on the waterfront, minus Brando. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Thursdays, The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf. 395-2100.

Eastside Grill. Not just a sports bar, but a great place to relax with friends, with great pupu, too. Daily. Puck's Alley, 1035 University Ave. 952-6555.

Mai Tai Bar. Live entertainment and happy hour daily. It's a major hookup joint, too, but you probably already knew that. Ala Moana Center. 947-2900.

Mai Tai Bar. Yes, the OTHER one — a calm, nonhookup beachside getaway with live music. 4:30-10:30 p.m. daily, Royal Hawaiian hotel. 923-7311.