Kalakoa! A mishmash of family fun and news

Movie moments highlight Koreanfest

The Korean Festival is expanding this year to include a movie Friday night, before the main festivities July 13.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the Korean box-office hit "Masquerade" will be shown. The film is a period piece based on the reign of Gwanghae during the Joseon Dynasty of the 17th century. It stars Lee Byung-hun in dual roles as the king and the court jester who becomes his body double when the king faces a threat of poisoning.

Entertainment will precede the movie starting at 4:10 p.m. with a tae kwon do demonstration, the Royal Hawaiian Band, both traditional folk and contemporary music and dance, K-pop music videos and a flash mob of K-pop fans.

This year, event organizers have expanded food choices, but you can bet Korean favorites like kalbi, bi bim bap and kim chee fried rice will still be available.

There will be Choco Pie (the Korean marshmallow-filled snack cake) and kim chee eating contests on July 13 at 2 and 3:40 p.m., respectively, as well as cooking demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The main attraction July 13 is a performance at 7 p.m. by K-pop star Kim Tae-woo, former lead singer of the boy band g.o.d. (Groove Over Dose).

After the concert, at 8 p.m., will be a screening of "Forever the Moment," a 2008 drama about the South Korean women’s handball team, which won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Free parking will be available at Kapiolani Community College, with free shuttle service to the festival.

Visit koreanfestivalhi.com. — Gary Chun, Star-Advertiser

Get ready for Muppet mania!

Sesame Street Live returns to Hawaii with "Can’t Stop Singing," featuring many favorite characters from the popular television series.

Look for Grover, Baby Bear, Ernie and Bert, Cookie Monster, Elmo and more costumed characters to make appearances.

The show runs from Friday to July 21 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall and July 26 to 28 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Tickets are $12 to $40. Sunny Seats, which include a meet-and-greet session with characters, are $70. Enter "Grover" when purchasing tickets online to receive a $3 discount.

Visit sesamestreetlive.com. For tickets, visit ticket­master.com or the Blaisdell box office or Ticketmaster outlets at Walmart stores. — Nancy Arcayna, Star-Advertiser

Goings coming to Waipio

Love Disney’s "Choo-Choo Soul" television show?

Don’t miss "Choo-Choo Soul" star Genevieve Goings at Pas De Deux’s film and TV studios in Waipio. Performances are at 6 and 8 p.m. today and 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by a meet-and-greet.

"Choo-Choo Soul" combines high-energy, soulful music with live-action and animation on the Disney Junior channel.

The price is $15 online, $20 at the door, with proceeds benefiting Pas De Deux’s performing arts scholarship programs.

Pas De Deux is at 94-404 Ukee St., No. 51A. Purchase tickets at showtix4u.com. Call 671-0350. — Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser