Friday, March 1: The award-winning Canadian group Afiara String Quartet performs works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, Sibelius and more, 7:30 p.m. today, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art. $20-$45. 'Meet the Artists' talk with Howard Dicus at 6:30 p.m. 532-6097, honoluluchambermusicseries.org. --Courtesy photo
WEEKEND OF FRIDAY, MARCH 1
Honolulu Festival, 19th annual Asia-Pacific cultural celebration featuring:
» Waikiki Grand Parade, 4:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Kalakaua Avenue. Free.
» Nagaoka fireworks show, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Waikiki Beach. Free.
» Cultural and arts performances, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Hawai’i Convention Center, DFS Galleria and Waikiki Beach Walk. Free.
» Friendship Gala, benefit for educational and cultural programs with cultural entertainment and cuisine from various Oahu restaurants, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, Hawai’i Convention Center. $70-$90. 833-3378, honolulufestival.com
Wanderlust Festival, four-day yoga and music fete features concerts by Michael Franti & Friends, John Cruz and Soul Fire (7 p.m. today) and ALO, Kaki King and Soul Fire (7 p.m. Saturday), a Chakra Shakedown with Shaman’s Dream (10 p.m. Saturday) and music at Surfer, the Bar, by DJ Drez (10 p.m. today-Saturday), Turtle Bay Resort. Franti concert: $30, $25 advance. ALO concert: $22, $17.50 advance. Per-day tickets (including yoga/activities): $108-$130. oahu.wanderlustfestival.com
Hawaiian Kennel Club 173rd and 174th AKC All-Breed Dog Shows, featuring more than 300 dogs each day, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. $5; free for kids 12 and younger. hawaiiankennelclub.org
Book sale, benefit by Friends of Waimanalo Library, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Waimanalo Public & School Library. 259-2610
Glass Art & Bead Festival, more than 30 exhibitors and free make-it-and-take-it craft, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Ward Warehouse, second floor. Free admission. 866-925-3539, softflexcompany.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 1
First Friday Honolulu, walkabout celebration of the arts with performances, music, exhibits, happy hours, DJs, trunk shows and more, 5-10 p.m., downtown/Chinatown arts district’s galleries, museums, studios, theaters, shops, clubs and restaurants. Free. 521-2903. Schedule, map, parking information: artsatmarks.com
ARTmusicBEER, First Friday event featuring local-vendor bazaar Shop Bop & Grind with DJ Mr. Nick spinning world dance/neo-jazz and food by Cafe 888, a Secret Beer Garden, and the Chinatown Artist Lofts upstairs on display, 5-10 p.m., Chinatown Courtyard, Mendonca Building, 1123 Maunakea St. Free. shopbopgrind.posterous.com
Shamisen music and lecture, Shukou Katayama, chief priest of Jifuku temple in Kesennuma, Miyagi, Japan, performs on the tsugaru shamisen as part of trip to raise awareness and funds for post-earthquake/tsunami recovery efforts in Tohoku, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Honolulu Myoho Temple, 2003 Nuuanu Ave. Free. 428-5808, hawaiiseniorlife.org
Balinese Night, First Friday event with music and traditional Balinese dances by Gamelan Segara Madu and the UH Gamelan Ensemble, “Where Heaven Meets Hell” film screening, kids’ corner and Indonesian arts, crafts and food for sale, 6-9 p.m., Hawai’i State Art Museum. Free admission. 586-0900, hawaii.gov/sfca/HiSAM.html
“Coats of Red and Blue,” free public concert by the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, 6 p.m., Hale Koa Hotel, Luau Garden. 257-7440
Movie Night: “Skyfall”, with 25-cent popcorn/Subway sandwich/cotton candy snack bar while supplies last, 6:30 and 9 p.m., Campus Center Ballroom, third floor, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Also: Bingo Night with raffles and prizes in Campus Center 307-310. Free. 956-4491, uhmccbac.weebly.com
Johnny Kai Live, local music, oldies and easy listening with ballroom dancing and open mic for professional musicians and dancers, 7-10 p.m., Banana Patch Lounge, Miramar Hotel Waikiki. No cover. 922-2077
Afiara String Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art. $20-$45. “Meet the Artists” talk with Howard Dicus at 6:30 p.m. 532-6097, honoluluchambermusicseries.org
“Sounding Ethnomusicology: Transcending Borders,” concert of vocal and instrumental music exploring the merging of East and West, technology and tradition, by the Ethnomusicology Association, 7:30 p.m., Orvis Auditorium. Free. hawaii.edu/uhmmusic
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
“Seussical” celebration, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America, with Performing Arts Center of Kapolei students performing songs from the musical “Seussical,” photo opportunities and goodie bags, 10:30 a.m., Kapolei Public Library. Free. 693-7050
North Shore Cleanup, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii guided beach cleanup with treasure hunts, raffles and prizes (Wanderlust Festival tickets, surf brands kids’ clothes), 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Turtle Bay Resort, West Lawn (shuttles provided to Kahuku cleanup site). Snack, water, supplies provided. Free. All ages. sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org
Ainu music performance, by solo artist Oki and the Marewrew women’s vocal quartet from Japan, 11:30 a.m., Hawaii State Library lobby. Free. 586-3499, librarieshawaii.org
Hard Rock Rising: Global Battle of the Bands, local bands perform in first qualifying battle, 2 p.m., Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu. Free admission. 955-7383, fb.com/hardrockcafehonolulu
Good Gifts Benefit Concert, children perform music and dance in annual Lutheran Church of Honolulu fundraiser for worldwide projects to help the needy and disaster-struck, 4 p.m., Lutheran Church of Honolulu, 1730 Punahou St. Free; donations welcome. lchwelcome.org, 941-2566
11th Annual Temple Emanu-El Kirk Cashmere Jewish Film Festival opening reception, with pupu from Da Spot, no-host bar and audience favorite “Mabul: The Flood” screening, 6 p.m., Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art. $12-$15. 532-8700, honolulumuseum.org
Johnny Kai Live, local music, oldies and easy listening with ballroom dancing and open mic for pro musicians and dancers, 7-10 p.m., Banana Patch Lounge, Miramar Hotel Waikiki. No cover. 922-2077
Contradance, with live music by Whiskey Starship, beginners and all ages welcome, no partner needed, 7:30-10 p.m., Atherton YMCA. Free. 392-8772, sls.hawaii.edu/contra
Keyboard Conversations — Gershwin and Friends, concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel (featured in PBS special) with stimulating commentary on the music and composers and Q-and-A with the audience, 8 p.m., Leeward Community College Theatre. $15-$30; $10-$25 advance. 944-2697, etickethawaii.com, lcctheatre.hawaii.edu
“Scratch Paper: A Night of Sketch Comedy,” original sketches by local comedians and writers with videos and live music, 8-9 p.m., The Loading Zone, 47 N. Hotel St. $8. improvhi.com/sketch, 944-8488
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Girls’ Day Fishing Derby, fishing contests open to boys and girls, 10 a.m.-noon, and open catch-and-release fishing for families (must bring own poles, barbless hooks and nonlive bait), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Kaneohe. Free. 233-7323
Honolulu Museum of Art School Free Day, day of art and activities, museum tours, games, music and refreshments, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Honolulu Museum of Art School. Free. 532-8741
Disco Baby, kids’ dancing with movies, clowns and supervision, noon-3 p.m., Loading Zone, 47 N. Hotel St. $20; $15 advance. oospot.com, 312-4781
Comic Jam Hawaii, talk story with local comic artists and watch them create cooperative art, 1-4 p.m., Pearlridge Center, Uptown, second level fronting The Diamond Fairy. Free. pearlridgeonline.com, 488-0981
Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest’s Hawaii finals, high school students from across the state compete for trip to and spot in the national finals in Washington, D.C., 1 p.m., Tenney Theatre, Cathedral of St. Andrew. Free admission. htyweb.org
Indigenous Ainu music, solo artist Oki and the Marewrew women’s vocal quartet from Japan perform, in conjunction with Ainu gallery exhibition, 2-2:45 and 3-3:45 p.m., East-West Center Gallery. Free. 944-7177, arts.eastwestcenter.org. Also: Free performance 10 a.m. at Palolo Hongwanji in conjunction with separate exhibition.
Choral Evensong, the Cathedral Choir performs Thomas Causton’s “Evening Service,” 5:30 p.m., The Cathedral of St. Andrew. Free; offering taken. 524-2822, ext. 217
MONDAY, MARCH 4
UH Symphony Orchestra concerto concert, featuring music of Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and Lyndol Mitchell and the premiere of Armand Russell’s “Rondo for Time Pasts,” 7:30 p.m., Pearl City Cultural Center. $10-$15; $5 for UHM music majors. hawaii.edu/uhmmusic
Open Mic Comedy Night, Mars Comedy’s new weekly stand-up comedy night with drink specials, food and prizes, 8 p.m. (sign-up 7:30) Mondays, Edge Bar, 1661 Kapiolani Blvd. $5; free for performers. marscomedy.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
James Mercer, indie-rock singer-guitarist of The Shins in acoustic concert, 8 p.m., The Republik. $20-$25. flavorus.com, 855-235-2867
Comedy Night at The Showroom, Mr. Aaron presents Anthony Silano, Sean Koegel, David K. Jones, Chad Wago and Grant Uchida, with host Keith Moore, 8 p.m., Hawaiian Brian’s. $5. Ages 21+. mraaronpresents.com, 728-7146, brownpapertickets.com, fb.com/mraaronpresents
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
Royal Hawaiian Band, historic 40-member band in concert, 1-2 p.m., Royal Grove, Royal Hawaiian Center. Free. royalhawaiiancenter.com
Waialua Library Authors’ Night, book signing and meet-the-authors with George and Willa Tanabe (“Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawaii”), Waimea Williams (“Aloha Mozart”), Courtnie Chang (“Kolohe Iole”), Gabe Baltazar Jr. (“If It Swings, It’s Music”), pupu and door prizes, 6:30 p.m., Waialua Public Library. Free. 637-8286
First Thursdays Slam Poetry Competition & Open Mic, featuring the Last Chance Slam, $100 prize, music, live art and host Kealoha, 8:30 p.m., Fresh Cafe. $3 before 8:30 p.m.; $5 after. hawaiislam.com, 387-9664
WEEKLY SHOWS
“Creation: A Polynesian Journey,” dinner and cocktail show about the birth of the Islands, including the first woman, with Polynesian song, dance and fireknives, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. cocktails, 7:15 p.m. show, daily except Mondays and Wednesdays. $48.75-$65 cocktail package; $82.50-$160 dinner packages. 931-4660, creationshow.com
“‘Aha’aina: A Royal Hawaiian Lu’au,” oceanfront vignette dinner show paying homage to the site’s royal and sacred heritage with a dramatic performance, hula, song and Hawaiian artisanry, 5:30-9 p.m. every Monday, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. $89-$175. 921-4600, royal-hawaiian.com
Comedy Polynesia, with “Hawaiian King of Comedy” Bo Irvine and Michael “Mr. Diamond Head” Staats, 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, $25-$35; and Sharkey’s Comedy Club, with Hawaii and national comics, 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, Hawaii Comedy Theater, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel. $15-$25. 531-4242, hawaiicomedytheater.com
“Ha: Breath of Life,” a Pacific isle tale of birth and death, love and family, triumph and tragedy, with Polynesian dance, music and fireknives, 7:30-9 p.m. daily, Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie. $25-$50. Reservations: 293-3333, polynesia.com
Legends in Concert Waikiki: “Rock-A-Hula,” live concert experience featuring Elvis Presley tribute, hula and rotating cast of 80 superstar personas including Michael Jackson, Steven Tyler and Madonna impersonators, 8 p.m. nightly except Mondays, Royal Hawaiian Center, fourth floor. $59-$180. 629-7469, legendswaikiki.com
“The Legends of Kualoa,” dinner show depicting Hawaiian legends of the area with music, chanting and hula kahiko, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kualoa. $29-$49. 237-7321, kualoa.com/tours
Magic in Paradise, buffet dinner show featuring mystery, fantasy, comedy and illusions with magician Mark Allen Mauricio, 6 p.m. every Wednesday, Banyan Tree Showroom, Hale Koa Hotel. $6.95-$35.95. 955-0555, halekoa.com
“Magic of Polynesia,” featuring illusionist John Hirokawa, dancers and fire dancer, 7 p.m. dinner show, 8 p.m. show, daily, Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort. $30-$139. Reservations: 971-4321, magicofpolynesia.com
Society of Seven Latest Version: “HOT! HOT! HOT!” 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Outrigger Waikiki. $35-$45. Reservations: 923-7469