Let's hype HawaiiSlam's First Thursdays poetry slam by calling out the guest list: 2005 National Poetry Slam third-place finisher Christa Bell, 1993 national slam second-place finisher Azeem, acoustic guitarist Scott Huckabay and theatrical hip-hop artists Anonymous Inc. Live painting, animation and turntablists color the vibe, 8:30 tonight at the Hawaiian Hut.

And, oh yeah, there's a competition featuring some of Honolulu's best slam artists. The winner, as usual, goes to HawaiiSlam's May finals. Tickets are $3 to $5; www.hawaiislam.com.

— Derek Paiva

LEARN ABOUT CRITTERS ON EARTH AND IN COSMOS

Dusk is when the Honolulu Zoo comes alive, when lions roar, hyenas laugh, hippos forage and tigers have their dinner. You can catch the animal action at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the zoo's monthly star-gazing session, which begins with a zoo tour then continues on the lawn where astronomer Michael Chauvin (and author of "Hokuloa: The British 1874 Transit of Venus Expedition to Hawaii") intriguingly connects the zoological with the astonomical.

Cost: $12 adults, $8 children 12 and under. Call 926-3191, ext. 14 for more information.

— Advertiser staff

FINAL WORD

"Some people are blind or ignorant ... you can't be that prejudiced and hateful and ... still be happy. One thing about this movie is that I think art can change minds."

Dolly Parton | The singer on "Transamerica," for which her song "Travelin' Thru" is nominated for an Oscar, in USA Today