IT'S LIVE: THIS WEEK ONLY

The Willows' Hops & Grinds. American craft beers, a big pupu buffet, entertainment by Boogie. 5:30-8:30 p.m. today, The Willows. 952-9200.

Vaihi. Catch the sweet harmonies of Aaron, Bruce, Piko and the inimitable Bruddah Sam. 7:30-9:30 p.m. today, Tiki's Grill & Bar. 923-8454.

Saloon Pilots, bluegrass, acoustic. There's nothing like kim-chee fried rice and live bluegrass. 8-11 p.m. today; Big City Diner, Kailua. 263-8880.

The Crud. Going-away show with Busekrus, Linus and Pimpbot. Good luck. Farewell. Rock on, guys. 9 p.m. today, Anna Bannana's. 946-5190.

Soiree West Africa, with drummers Laye Diop and Musa Bangoura. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. today, Soullenz gallery and photography studio. 271-1888.

The Butterfly Effect. Fashion show and DJs. Just watch the mobile phone cameras bust out. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. today, The O Lounge. 944-8436.

Fusion. They call themselves a variety band. So go ahead. Ask them to play anything. 10 p.m.-1:15 a.m. today, Red Lion University. 949-5466.

Third Rail and Smitz, ska, funk, rock. If you can't dance to it, don't expect them to play it. 10 p.m. today; Boardriders Bar & Grill; 261-4600.

Untapped. Rodz and Anthem the Investors, Mc Techniique and Jeyetik, DJ RudeDogg. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Don Ho's Island Grill. 528-0807.

Hip-hop at the Trops. Joe Dub and Neila, Creed Chameleon, Tempo Valley, more. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Tropics, Ward Farmers Market. 591-8009.

Diamond Head Crater Celebration. What's greater than a concert in a crater? From 2 p.m. Saturday, Diamond Head Crater. (877) 750-4400.

Latin Music Festival. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9 Saturday, Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom. 955-4811, ext. 4250, 342-0911.

Night Train, R&B, funk. The band. Not a cheap bottle of low-grade alcohol winos dig. 8:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Gordon Biersch. 599-4877.

Lost at Sea, reggae dance band. Stomp and the floors shake. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, Soullenz gallery and photography studio. 271-1888.

Local Vocal-School's Out Edition. The Girlas, Epic Session, Hot Rain, DJ Mike D. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday, Pipeline Cafe; 18/older. 589-1999.

Jazz Wednesday. USC professor of jazz Rick Schmunk with Dean Taba and Abe Lagrimas. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Honolulu Club. 543-3916.

Kapena. Somebody please ask them to play "Masese!" We can't get enough of that song. 9 p.m.-midnight Wednesday, Ryan's Grill. 591-9132.

Lovechile, rock/blues/soul, and guest Missing Dave. A new band from the folks that brought you Pimpbot. 9 p.m. Thursday, Red Lion Waikiki.

ON THE TURNTABLES

Frequency. Temporary Lovers, with DJs Vagina and Sleeze, Ross Jackson, Kause, Eskae. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. today, thirtyninehotel. 599-2552.

Ginza. with DJs Main Ingredient, Nocturnal Sound Crew and more right off Kuhio Avenue. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. today, Lotus Soundbar. 924-1688.

Skyline. DJs, Skyline Dancers, Abe Lagrimas Jr. and killer views. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Sheraton Waikiki hotel, Hanohano Room. 922-4422.

"3 Degrees Some Call it House ... We Call it Home." We're just as confused as you are. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday, Lotus Soundbar. 924-1688.

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

Comedy Crusaders Improv Troupe. Laugh, darn it! Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Fridays, Sharkey's Comedy Club, 'Aiea. 531-HAHA.

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

The Good Life. Dress to impress for groovy Asian, American, international dance mixes. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays, Zanzabar; 21/older. 924-3939.

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.

$5 Pitchers & Rubba Slippas. Hosted by Souljah and Matty Liu, with DJs. 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays, Lulu's Waikiki Surf Club; 18/older. 926-5222.

The Circus, dancers, music, DJs and the magic of Cirque Hawaii performers. 10 p.m. Fridays, Cirque Hawaii (the old IMAX theater). 753-4970.

La Zona Latina, Featuring DJs Azteca and MeroMero, and two dance floors. 10 p.m.-closing Fridays, Panama Hattie's; 18/older. 485-8226.

Reality. Two floors of hip-hop, R&B, neo soul. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays, The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf; 21/older. www.kuriousproductions.com.

Fire, with James Coles and United DJs, go-go dancers. Excited yet? 18 and older; 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays; Lulu's Waikiki Surf Club; 926-5222.

Double Joy Disco, formerly called Lucky Tiger. DJs Mark, Duck and Grady. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, thirtyninehotel; 21/older. 599-2552.

Salsa Sabado en la Noche. With DJs and the Friikiitonas models. Caliente! 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Cafe Che Pasta; 18/older. 524-0004.

The A-List. Are you on it? Vanilla Ice isn't, and he's not happy. With DJs Ross Jackson & Vertigo. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Bar 35. 537-3535.

Newjass Quartet. Right back where they started from at a newly renovated thirtyninehotel. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesdays; thirtyninehotel. 599-2552.

Endless Summer Camp. With DJs SubZero, 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 Latin DJs, free salsa lessons and sambas on demand. Caliente! 5 p.m. Thursdays, Rumours; 21/older. 955-4811.

Live at 35. Acoustic rock with Jason Allan. We're so darn happy about live music at Bar 35. 8:30 p.m.-midnight Thursdays, Bar 35. 537-3535.

Riot! House, rock, '80s, etc. Come on, feel the noise! Girls, rock your boys! 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays, Tapa's Restaurant & Lanai Bar. 921-2288.

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

Swampa ZZ, emo-tronic-dirt-hop party. High-energy dance music for the Nintendo generation. 10 p.m. Thursdays, Indigo. 521-2900.

Eastside Grill. Not just a sports bar, but a great place to relax with friends; 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 hook-up joint, too, but you already knew that. Ala Moana Center. 947-2900.

Reach Liane Yim at lyim@honoluluadvertiser.com, Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com and Debra Yuen at dyuen@honoluluadvertiser.com.