Bishop museum sets eclipse viewing

Hawaii will experience a total eclipse of the moon, the first in three years, from 9:42 to 10:52 p.m. Dec. 20. The J. Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum, in partnership with the Hawaiian Astronomical Society, will host a free eclipse viewing party that night on the great lawn of the museum starting at 8:30 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to call 848-4176. The large telescope in the museum’s observatory also will be open for moon watching, with planetarium programs on eclipses at 8:15, 9:15 and 10 p.m.

Manoa workshop will pull strings

Pam Arciero, the puppeteer and voice-over artist best known as Oscar the Grouch’s girlfriend, Grundgetta, on "Sesame Street," will conduct a second puppetry workshop, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday at Manoa Valley Theatre.

The fee is $45. Another workshop earlier in the day is sold out, and this one is limited to 30 adults. Topics include basic puppetry techniques and creating character and voice. Supplies will be provided.

Arciero is artistic director of the National Puppetry Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Conn., and has worked on such children’s and adult shows as "Blue’s Clues," "Allegra’s Window" and "Chapelle’s Show."

Manoa Valley Theatre will be using Arciero as its puppetry consultant for its March production of the Broadway hit "Avenue Q." Auditions for the show are Monday and Tuesday, and producers say puppetry skills are a plus.

Calling 988-6131.

HOT grateful for symphony

The Hawaii Opera Theatre’s 2011 season will be supported by musicians from the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, now in organizational limbo.

While the fate of the symphony is still in doubt, HOT’s season commences with "Faust" on Jan. 28 and 30 and Feb. 1, followed by "Lucia di Lammermoor" on Feb. 11, 13 and 15 and "La Traviata" on Feb. 25 and 27 and March 1.

Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Musicians Association of Hawaii jointly announced the agreement last week.

"Hawaii Opera Theatre patrons have been deeply supportive of the orchestra musicians and we are ever grateful for the ongoing donations which enable us to hire these talented local professionals," said HOT executive director Karen Tiller in a statement. "We have a long history of hiring the symphony musicians for the Grand Opera Season orchestra and we are so fortunate to continue this tradition."

For ticket information, visit www.hawaiiopera.org.

Fundraiser to aid ailing 6-year-old

Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i at Ward Warehouse will host a Hawaii-style fundraiser Sunday for 6-year-old Boston Vaivai, who was diagnosed in June with rabdomiosarcoma, a rare form of muscle tissue cancer.

The Ka Waihona O Ka Na’auao first-grader just completed two and half months of daily radiation treatments and six months of chemotherapy to reduce the tumor behind his right eye, and he is awaiting word from doctors on his next steps in treatment, according to his mom, Nohea Mahelona, who is the manager of Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i.

Boston also lives in Nanakuli with his dad, Peter Vaivai, and brothers Cameron, 8, and Madison, 11. The family is traveling to Disney World this month as guests of Make a Wish Foundation.

Mahelona said her son is the "ham" in the family and loves to entertain. "Boston is my happy child. He loves school, he loves to read, he loves going to the beach and spending time with his brothers, and he loves to plant flowers," she said. "He’s the ‘yardman’ in our family. We are hoping that he will be able to keep doing all the things that he loves."

Sunday’s fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature Hawaiian artists, performers and cultural practitioners providing entertainment and hands-on activities, such as kapa making and lauhala weaving. Silent auctions item include hula implements and feather lei.

Tickets are $20 or $40 per family, and include a stew-and-poi lunch. Donations may be sent to: Boston Vaivai, in care of Na Mea Hawai’i, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1000, Honolulu, HI 96814. Call 596-8885.

Keiki show ready to herald holiday

The Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus offers its 49th annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Kawaiaha’o Church.

The chorus’ 225 members, who include kindergartners to high schoolers, will perform holiday songs and premiere a new composition titled "In Step With the Spirit" by Debbie Kelsey and arranged by Buddy Naluai.

The concert is free. Call 521-2982 or visit www.hyoc.org.