FRIDAY-SUNDAY

>> Hawaii Ballet presents ‘The Sleeping Beauty’

A curse and a kiss is pretty much all you need to know about the story of “The Sleeping Beauty,” so fortunately Hawaii Ballet is adding delightful dancing and beautiful design to the fairy tale.

Its presentation of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet features dancers from the Kansas City Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Eugene (Ore.) Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, with costumes and scenery from Cincinnati Ballet. Local dancers from Ballet Hawaii’s summer intensive program will join in. The choreography is by Devon Carney of Kansas City Ballet, with some sections dating back to the original choreography by Marius Petipa for the ballet’s premiere in St. Petersburg in 1890.

Performing as Aurora, the princess who falls asleep after pricking herself with a needle, will be Amaya Rodriguez, an award-winning dancer from Cuba who was a first dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Kansas City Ballet two years ago. Coming to her rescue as Prince Desiré will be Liang Fu, a Chinese dancer who has danced internationally since 2001 and won the Asian Pacific International Ballet Competition in Tokyo in 2005. He joined the Kansas City Ballet in 2014.

The ballet is known for focusing on the forces of good vs. evil, as represented by the good Lilac Fairy, performed here by Lesley Rausch of Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Carabosse, played by Danielle Bausinger of Kansas City Ballet. The dramatic score, Tchaikovsky’s longest ballet work and one of his favorites, includes leitmotifs representing each (much like John Williams would do nearly 100 years later in “Star Wars”). The ballet also features an opulent wedding scene with invited guests including characters from other fairytales, including Puss ‘N Boots and Little Red Riding Hood.

FRIDAY

>> Pop star Halsey invades Blaisdell Arena

Halsey, a moody pop artist with a touch of self-revelation in her songs, comes to the Arena today.

Born Ashley Frangipane, she learned to play several instruments and wrote poetry during a troubled childhood – as a bisexual, bipolar and biracial person, she’s said didn’t fit in at school, though she took advanced classes.

She dropped out of design school and lived a bohemian lifestyle, moving around from New York City lofts and the basement of her New Jersey home. She began posting videos as a form of self-therapy, with her tune about a drug-abusing ex-boyfriend, “Ghost,” bringing her to the attention of record labels. Her songs, like “Sorry” or “Bad at Love,” explore the darker side of relationships.

Her 2015 debut studio album “Badlands” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts, earning the praise from Rolling Stone magazine, which said her lyrics “vibrate with the twists and turns of a young woman taking command of her body, mind, and then the world.” Her second album, 2017’s “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

SATURDAY

>> Byodo-In honors its 50th anniversary with a bon dance

Summer in Hawaii is bon dance season, and the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe is preparing a big one.

The temple, located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and it’s throwing a boffo bon dance in celebration. The event features food, including traditional Japanese bento and andagi doughnuts, with taiko drumming and other entertainment beginning at 5 p.m. and dancing from 6 to 8 p.m.

This year’s celebration includes activities aimed at both the past and the future. In recognition of those who have passed away, the temple will hold a lantern-floating ceremony at 8 p.m., with the first 50 people to arrive receiving a free lantern to float. Looking ahead, a time capsule will be presented, to be opened in 2043, the temple’s 75th year.

This year marks 50 years since Valley of the Temples built a replica of the 11th-century Phoenix Hall of the Byodo-In Buddhist temple complex in Japan. The original hall, located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, is a national treasure in Japan.

THURSDAY

>> Ke Kani O Ke Kai concert series ends with big talents

Head to the Waikiki Aquarium on Thursday evening for three of Hawaii’s most decorated musicians.

The final concert in the aquarium’s Ke Kani O Ke Kai series headlines Grammy winner Kalani Pe‘a, pictured, singing works from his second album “No ‘Ane’i,” which is scheduled for release on Aug. 10. This might be the only chance for some time to hear the album, which features eight originals and four classic Hawaiian tunes, performed live; Pe‘a is planning to tour with it soon. Pe‘a made history in 2017 when he became the first Native Hawaiian to receive the Grammy for Best Regional Roots Album with his debut album “E Walea.”

Also performing that evening will be Natalie Ai Kamauu, a highly honored performer who went from winning the title of Miss Aloha Hula at the 1990 Merry Monarch Festival to four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Best Female Vocalist in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2016, capping things off with a Grammy nomination in 2016 for her fifth album, “La La La La.”

Filling out the program is the trio Keahou, the Kamehameha School graduates who won nine Hokus for their eponymous debut album in 2017. They followed that up with four Hokus this year, including Hawaiian Music Album of the Year, for their second album, “I Ke Ko A Ke Au.”

As always, aquarium will have extended hours for visitors to view the exhibits throughout the evening. Bring a low lawn chair or a blanket to set up on the lawn.