HAPPY BATTLE OF PUEBLA DAY!

Otherwise (and more widely) known as Cinco De Mayo, Mexico's Battle of Puebla celebration has become an excuse for Americans to eat Mexican food, drink cervezas and party like a bunch of crazy kids on spring break in Cancun. Here's a list of a few places that are getting their fiesta on for the May 5 (Wednesday) celebration:

• What's the deal with us and block parties? We love, love, love them, and we show up by the thousands for them. Our next street meet: The Cinco De Mayo Street Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Chinatown Arts District, with food, live music, Latin dance performances and even Mexican flower girls.

• Aloha Tower Marketplace is throwing a free Cinco De Mayo celebration from 5:30 p.m. with an Ay! Chihuahua Fashion Show and live music by Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawaii.

• For the late-night crowd, Zanzabar (9 p.m.-4 a.m., 2255 Kuhio Ave., 924-3939, $10-$15, 18+) is taking the Cinco De Mayo party into the wee hours with drink specials and a Sexiest Senorita Costume Contest. Muy caliente!

FREE COMIC BOOKS

Tomorrow is National Free Comic Book Day and state libraries all over the island are celebrating with comic book giveaways, including popular series such as Archie, G.I. Joe and Iron Man. For a list of participating libraries, call 973-1099 or 693-7050.

JAM LIKE HAWAIIANS

The annual Jammin Hawaiians May Day Mele happens 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow at the Waikíkí Shell ($10, www.ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) with Nesian N.I.N.E., Lukie D, The Green, Cease Fyah, Kawao, Maoli, Ho'okoa, BET, CitySide and more.

THE THROWDOWNS THROW DOWN

Maui indie rockers The Throwdowns are celebrating the release of their debut CD at 7 tonight (when doors open) at Pipeline Café ($20, www.groovetickets.com, 877-714-7668).

DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION

Dakini Dance Company is holding a fundraiser at 10 tonight at Bar 35 (35 N. Hotel St., $7 at the door, 21+) with performances by Cherry Blossom Cabaret, Malia and the Bellydancers in Paradise, Shakti Dance Movement and others.

HEADS UP, 'IRON' HEADS

He's back. Oh, to have the toys of billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).

"Iron Man 2" screens midnight Thursday at most theaters.

FRIGHT NIGHT ... AGAIN

Wes Craven's 1984 horror classic "A Nightmare on Elm Street" gets a do-over in this new take on the spooky tale of a madman who kills you in your dreams, then sees to it that the nightmare comes true. It opens today.

HE'S FUNNY, SO HE LIVES ON

Michael Kvamme was16 when he co-created www.funnyordie.com. Now 20, he still writes for the website and for HBO's "Funnyordie presents." 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pipeline Café. ($15, www.groovetickets.com, 877-714-7668).