Owl City flies in

Sat., August 28
As Owl City, Adam Young weaves comforting, billowy nests of dream-pop tunes. Last year the solo artist's breakout single, "Fireflies," almost made him a star ... almost, because the Minnesotan's quiet demeanor keeps him a relatively anonymous personality despite the success.

It's all Greek to Oahu

Sat. & Sun., August 28-29
Greek Festival co-chairman Austin Vali wears more than one hat. On the day we checked in with him, he was planning to work with the cleaning crew at McCoy Pavilion, prepping for the onslaught of people who will deluge the gathering place tomorrow.

Duke's legend lives on

Fri. & Sat., August 27-28
Duke's OceanFest celebrates the 120th anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku's birth, and the vast contributions he made to ocean sports in Hawaii and around the world during his travels as a surfer, Olympic gold medal swimmer, Hollywood actor and ambassador of aloha.

Ghosts of Chinatown's past

The Chinatown fire of Jan. 20, 1900, dislocated 4,000 people, destroyed 38 blocks of downtown Honolulu, and left nothing standing but Kaumakapili Church, the structure that fused the conflagration, and the building that housed the firefighters who lost control of the blaze.

China's golden youth

Fri., August 27
Imagine a Juilliard Institute, a "Fame" school and perhaps a Bela Karolyi Gymnastics Institute rolled into one, and you might have the equivalent of the Shanghai Children's Palace.

TAG makes the right move

Fri., August 27; Next Week Thu.+
Opening night is always exciting, but with The Actors' Group's season-opening production of "Duets" this evening, TAG is celebrating the official opening of its new theater as well.

Heavy metal mockery

Wed., September 1
Brian Posehn is built for comedy — by which I mean the guy, with his beer belly and bulbous nose, pale skin and balding head, looks like he better be funny, or some jerk's going to kick sand in his face.

The Aloha Festivals get a start

Fri., August 27; Next Week Thu.+
The Aloha Festivals kick off this week with a block party that will give an advance taste of the music and celebratory spirit that infuses this annual event.

Local made

Fri., Aug. 20 — Sun., Aug. 22
Even if you have the attack strategy of Gen. George S. Patton, the agility of an Olympic gymnast and the wellspring of energy that denotes a true shopper, the row upon row of gems and jewels, chips, cookies, coffee, artwork and food samples can bring you to a dead stop in the center of the annual, three-day Made in Hawaii Festival going on this weekend at the Blaisdell Center.

Fair days for Carrere

Fri., Aug. 20 & Sat., Aug. 21
TIA Carrere says she'll never forget how impressed she was when she saw James Hong as geneticist Hannibal Chew in "Blade Runner" — or how excited she was when she heard that he had been cast as her father in "Wayne's World 2."

Josh86's tale written in music, ink

Fri., Aug. 20 & Fri., Aug. 27
Josh Hancock literally wears his life on his body. It's the palette for multiple tattoos that cover his chest and the length of both arms.

On the hunt for Charlie Chan

Sun., Aug. 22 & Mon., Aug. 23
CHARLIE Chan, the fictional detective of novels, film and television, solved dozens of mysteries, but there is still one Chan mystery film historian Steve Fredrick would like to solve: He'd like to find the article about Honolulu police detective Chang Apana that inspired writer Earl Derr Biggers to create Chan.

Aloha as a way of being

Fri., Aug. 20 — Sun., Aug. 22
SOMETIMES, music is not just music. For Keola Beamer, it's a form of communication, of inspiration, a cultural touchstone — and a way to nurture the soul.

Isles' ballet star returns

Sat., Aug. 21 & Sun., Aug. 22
Nothing can inspire kids here more than seeing someone who's from Hawaii achieve success in the wide world outside the islands.

Laughing it up

Shaquille O'Neal is still flying high. Same for his comedy posse, assuming they soared over Pacific skies to reach us. It was serendipity: The day Shaq signed to the Boston Celtics (after a brief stint in Cleveland with LeBron James), we spoke with a couple of comics who'll be at the Blaisdell tonight in the O'Neal-approved All-Star Comedy Jam.

Stringing it together

This has been a great summer for Hawaiian music, as Alan Akaka kicked things off with the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival July 4 at the Waikiki Beach Plaza, Roy Sakuma presented the 40th Annual Ukulele Festival July 18 in Kapiolani Park and Cyril Pahinui celebrated the musical legacy of his father, Gabby Pahinui, last weekend in Waimanalo.

Drinks delight

After 10 years, one could say the Joy of Sake Festival has mellowed like a fine -- well, sake. But mellow is hardly an apt description for an event that will provide food, music and plenty of good cheer, not to mention the 300-plus sakes that will be offered up for tasting.

'70s club scene revisited

Nohelani Cypriano debuted as a solo artist in 1977 when she and Dennis Graue recorded "Lihue." The song won a spot on Ron Jacobs' "Homegrown II" album, and that first hit was followed by a Hoku Award-winning album. She's been a high-profile solo artist ever since.

'Lychee Thieves' does islands proud

I approached " Lychee Thieves" with a heavy load of cultural cinematic baggage, because, for whatever reason, films made in Hawaii never quite ring true.

Shorts showcase

Spooked Samoans in the forest. Lychee thieves in Honolulu. K-drama-crazy Korean ladies on the run. The eight films screening at the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase have it covered, from a point of view that is based right here.

Feast of films

Whenever Ken Martinez Burgmaier visits Molokai and Lanai, strangers stop him on the street. On islands without movie theaters, the guy in charge of the annual free film festival is pretty popular.

More news on arts, events, entertainment now in TGIF

TGIF became a dedicated entertainment tab in June, as the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Honolulu Advertiser combined. Since that time, many readers have contacted us with their comments and suggestions.

Out 'n' about

Sixth Annual Remodel It Right Expo • Waimanalo Country Fair • The 11th Annual Te Manahua Maori Cultural Competition • Bon dance season • and more

This one's for Gabby

Times change. Magic moments become treasured memories. Cyril Pahinui is looking forward to bringing some of the magic back -- if only for a day -- with the Third Annual Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila tomorrow at Waimanalo Beach Park.

Details might fade, but Gabby's magic endures

My friend from college days at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Bob Moore, says being at a Gabby-fest in Waimanalo, when music-lovers and hangers-on would head out to watch the best of the best in Hawaiian slack-key guitar play music in a back yard close to the beach, is his best memory ever -- better than being at Woodstock.