FRIDAY

>> String quartet groups returns to Honolulu

The string quartet holds a special place in Czech culture. The country hosts more than a dozen acclaimed ensembles, and major Czech composers have written 30 works for that format.

So it’s nice to have two Czech string quartet groups, the Prazak and the Zemlinsky quartets, come here to perform together.

The two acclaimed groups are closely linked, with the Prazak Quartet, established in 1972, having coached the Zemlinsky Quartet, pictured, formed in 1994. The two groups have also established a tradition of sorts here in Hawaii, with the Prazak Quartet visiting three times between 1985 and 1998 and the Zemlinsky Quartet three times in the last 11 years.

They’ll mix and match members for two works on their program, the sextet from the Richard Strauss opera “Capricio” and Brahms’ “Sextet in B-Flat.”

Then they’ll combine for Mendelssohn’s wonderfully energetic “Octet,” the first composition to be written for this combination of instruments. It’s a visual as well as musical treat to watch all those bows flashing.

PRAZAK AND ZEMLINSKY QUARTETS

>> Where: Orvis Auditorium

>> When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

>> Cost: $20-$45

>> Info: honoluluchambermusicseries.org

SUNDAY

>> Ukulele stars gather during the weekend at annual event

Time to celebrate the humble ukulele, the Hawaiian instrument heard ‘round the world. This weekend features a series of events where you can hear the uke performed by both international stars and amateur virtuousos, courtesy of the 11th annual Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii.

First off will be a contest featuring local and Japanese players at the International Market Place in Waikiki. Contestants in keiki, teen and adult categories will compete, and the best original song will get airtime on KZOO for one year.

The winners of the contest perform at Sunday’s free Ukulele Picnic, which this year will be held at Kakaako’s Victoria Ward Park for the first time. The picnic will have two stages of entertainment, featuring top local performers like Jody Kamisato, (10:45 a.m.), Josh Tatofi (1 p.m.), Kapena (4 p.m.) and Herb Ohta Jr. (4:45 p.m.) as well as star Japanese performers Lina Lina (12:20 p.m.) and event organizer Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, pictured, (4:45 p.m.). There will also be workshops from 1:50 to 3:20 p.m. for those who want to learn to play.

Monday finishes off the uke celebration at Blue Note Hawaii, where Kapena will perform along with Japanese uke masters Boo Takagi and Tomotaka Matsui. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m. ($25-$45, bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890).

The picnic is the brainchild of Sekiguchi, a member of the Japanese supergroup Southern All-Stars, who hopes the event will be a springboard for creation of an ukulele museum.

UKULELE PICNIC IN HAWAII

>> Where: Victoria Ward Park

>> When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

>> Cost: Free

>> Info: ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org/en

SUNDAY

>> Tomas Kubinek shows the humor within the madness

Sometimes the silliest humor is the best. So it is with vaudeville performer Tomas Kubinek, who comes to Leeward Community College Theatre on Sunday with a bag of tricks that Mary Poppins would envy.

A Canadian who was born in the now-dissolved nation of Czechoslavakia, Kubinek describes himself as a “fool, clown, visual poet, solo performance artist, multi-talented vaudevillian, comic genius and charming huckster” on his website. His contortionist capabilities and side-splitting slapstick have made him a favorite performer internationally over the last 30 years, including a visit to his homeland, the Czech Republic, where he won a housefly-catching competition.

Among his most popular gags: balancing a glass of wine on his forehead, which is so big he calls it a “fivehead,” rolling onto his back and picking up the glass with his knees and putting it on the floor. Locals might appreciate the fact that he’s playing the ukulele the whole time, even playing it behind his back.

TOMAS KUBINEK

>> Where: Leeward Community College Theatre

>> When: 2 p.m. Sunday

>> Cost: $10-$25

>> Info: 956-8246, outreach.hawaii.edu/community

THURSDAY

>> Hawaii musicians cover classic tunes for Valentine’s Day concert

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a trip down memory lane to Motown, the original home of soul.

An all-star lineup of Hawaii soul artists will appear at The Republik on Thursday, ready to rev up the hearts of lovers young and old with classic tunes from the ’60s. The lineup features “American Idol” contestants DeAndre Brackensick and Jonah Moananu, aka Big Mox, and Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners Yoza, Maryanne Ito and Paula Fuga, pictured, who is widely considered Hawaii’s favorite soul singer.

Other performers include local favorites Izik, Keilana, Mindy Smokestack, Kahnma K, Melodie Soul, Melissa Diallo and Jared Ming. They’ll all be backed by a 10-piece band to ensure the rich Motown sound comes through.

Opening the evening will be blues-rock band Kings of Spade, fresh off their performance as openers for Guns ‘N Roses at Aloha Stadium.

Burlesque performers Violetta Beretta, Madame X and Luna Velour will bring some sex appeal for the evening, and you can add some romance with a $250 VIP package that includes a bottle of wine, dinner entrees and chocolate-covered strawberries.

MOTOWN VALENTINE’S DAY

>> Where: The Republik

>> When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday

>> Cost: $30-$35, $250 VIP (includes food and wine for two)

>> Info: 941-7469, jointherepublik.com; call Jesse Savio, 351-8200, for VIP info