FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Tattoo celebration features masters

The Pacific Ink and Art Expo returns this weekend, bringing local and international tattoo artists to the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall for some pin-prickling artistry and fun. More than 150 tattoo artists will be available at the event, including practitioners of the ancient Polynesian tapping style of tattoo. Masters such as Suluape Keone Nunesa and Keli‘i Makua will appear.

Celebrity artists on the roster include Spike TV’s “Ink Master” stars Jesse Smith, Mark Logenecker and Big Cheeze, and industry pioneers including Lyle Tuttle, whose tattoos have adorned Janis Joplin, Cher, Henry Fonda and Joan Baez, to name a few.

Uncertain about what kind of tattoo you want? Check out the event’s numerous contests for inspiration: a “Small Color” contest at 5:15 p.m. today, followed by the “Large Color” contest and a “Tramp Stamp” (lower back) contest.

Saturday’s contests include “Best Tribal /Polynesian” at 3:15 p.m., followed by a “Realistic Black & Grey” event. There’s even a “Worst Tattoo” contest at 5:15 p.m.

Sunday’s events include “Best Traditional” and “Best Portrait” contests, starting at 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Synth-rock band Grouplove keeps putting out hits

Grouplove, an indie-rock band that has spun out hits from its beginnings, comes to The Republik this week with its upbeat synth-rock sound.

The Los Angeles-based band’s first single, 2010’s “Colours,” was featured in sports-oriented video games. Its 2011 hit “Tongue Tied” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart and was featured on the TV series “Glee” and in several commercials. The tune propelled the band’s debut album, “Never Trust a Happy Song,” to No. 75 on the Billboard 200.

Composed of Hannah Hooper (vocals, keyboards), Christian Zucconi (vocals, guitar), Ryan Rabin (drums), Andrew Wessen (guitars, vocals) and Daniel Gleason (bass), the band started in 2009 when Hooper and Zucconi met in New York. Within days they were bound for an artists commune in Greece, where they met most of the other band members. After a year the group was named one of the “Best New Bands in 2010” by Nylon magazine.

The band has sold out halls in Australia and appeared at Coachella, Sasquatch and Bonnaroo music festivals. Its second album, 2013’s “Spreading Rumors,” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200. A third album, “Big Mess,” is set for release in September.

WEDNESDAY

A new isle festival combines treats for more than just the ears

The Hawaii International Music Festival, a high-concept, multidimensional event, promises to bring a “thrill of the senses” to Hawaii, with its inaugural performances this week.

The festival is “not just about concert music,” said Carlin Ma, a pianist, photographer and the festival’s artistic director. “It will include things such as food, coffee, chocolate and landscapes, things that will take music outside of this sterile museum quality and make it live.”

The festival is the brainchild of soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra, whose mother-in-law farms coffee on Hawaii island. Shoremount-Obra, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other major venues, combined forces with prize-winning violinist Eric Silberger to establish the festival, bringing in pianist Ian Parker, who performed with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in 2006, acclaimed cellist Daniel Lelchuk, promising soprano Mikayla Sager and local taiko master Kenny Endo.

The Wednesday performance will open with a presentation on chocolate by chocolate farmer Will Lydgate, with free samples for the first 500 guests. “We wanted to give the audience a few primers to excite them in all different senses where they’re starting to listen in different ways,” Ma said. “He’s going to give this guided tour of chocolate so that everybody is going to be very excited and high off the chocolate.”

Endo will also speak about taiko and “the culture of rhythm,” Ma said, followed by performances of some of his works by the ensemble. Other music on the program includes Saint-Saens’ “The Swan,” Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Romances by Shostakovich and arias by Strauss and Puccini.

Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday; a free master class from 2 to 5 p.m. precedes the performance.

Cost: $15-$30

Info: ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849

Also: Festival artists give a free concert at the Volcano House on Hawaii island at 7 p.m. Monday; a presentation at Pahala Plantation House on Hawaii island at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 ($25); and a concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center ($15-$35). Visit himusicfestival.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

‘Kids in the Hall’ comic to share his wares

Comedian Kevin McDonald will share not only his comedy, but also his advice and expertise in writing comedy at Paliku Theatre in Kaneohe.

McDonald is known for his work with the Kids in the Hall, a Canadian sketch comedy troupe known for its quirky monologues — in one, McDonald discusses the “astonishing similarities” between his family and the “Airport” movies: “In 1975 a sequel to the movie ‘Airport’ is released starring Karen Black. In 1975 my mother dyes her hair — black!” McDonald also has appeared on sitcoms such as “That ’70s Show,” “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” and did voice work on “Lilo & Stitch.”

Local comedy wannabes will join in the fun. McDonald is giving a daylong workshop on improvisation on Saturday, and workshop participants are expected to perform their material with him that evening.

Where: Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College

When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday

Cost: $20-$30

Info: eventbrite.com (cash only at the door)

Also: McDonald’s sketch-comedy workshop is 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Paliku Theatre. Cost is $300. Register at eventbrite.com.