SAVING MONEY
It's a free for all
| • | State of the arts |
Compiled by Debra Yuen
Advertiser TGIF editor
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Electricity bills, water bills, grocery bills — sky high. Gasoline is never again likely to be "affordable." Don't even think about the stock market's roller-coaster ride.
And so here is TGIF's effort to lighten your financial load. We have highlighted events that are free, free, free, particularly in the coming week but also some bigger happenings in the near future.
Don't forget that among other things that are always free are our great outdoors — the beach, hikes, even just a walk around the neighborhood in weather that is the envy of much of the world. The public libraries offer a number of free programs, too, especially for kids. And admission to the Sunset on the Beach festivals, featuring films on a 30-foot screen, usually at Queen's Surf in Waikiki, is free.
FAMILY AFFAIRS
The Family Day Fiber Festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Mission Houses Museum, is full of hands-on activities such as spinning, quilting and weaving, storytelling and more. It's in conjunction with the museum's current exhibition, "Fundamental Fiber: Lauhala, Tapa & Quilts." 531-0481, ext. 707.
Kids Fest is a free, family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of Bishop Museum. Like last year, it sports the star power of spokesman Bryan Clay, who won the gold medal for the decathlon in the Beijing Olympics this summer. He'll be there for meet-and-greets and to sign autographs.
There's also safe trick-or-treating, hands-on activities, games and contests, and a celebrity sports challenge featuring news anchors from four local TV stations.
A crowd of about 5,000 is expected to attend Kids Fest, which aims to encourage healthy, active lifestyles, and includes free entry to all Bishop Museum exhibits and galleries.
The event is sponsored by Hawaii Pacific Health, the medical network that includes Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children and Pali Momi, Straub Clinic & Hospital and more.
Also for kids, but a bit down the road and at the same venue: Bishop Museum's very popular Treat Street, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. It's a safe Halloween trick-or-treating adventure that includes costume contests for kids and adults, cockroach racing and more.
And yes, it's free. 847-3511, www.bishopmuseum.org.
CONCERTS
John Cruz closes out the Ohana Sundays series of free concerts at The Waterfront at Pu'uloa, formerly known as Iroquois Point Island Club, 5105 Iroquois Ave., 'Ewa Beach, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Other attractions: food, games and prizes. 203-5000.
Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa hosts a series of free student recitals, presented by the UH Music Department (www.hawaii.edu/uhmmusic):
"Organ Spectacular! A Tribute Honoring Nyle Hallman" happens at 7 p.m. Sunday at Central Union Church. Music for the organ and harp will be performed by Hallman, the church's organist emerita, celebrating her 80th birthday; and her organist friend Margaret Lloyd, principal organist for the church; and harpist friend Constance Harding Uejio of the Honolulu Symphony, who also is a church organist.
It's free, as is parking. 941-0957, www.agohawaii.org.
It's a kind a concert you can participate in: Pickin' in the Park, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Kapi'olani Park (area No. 4, near the tennis courts on Kalakaua Avenue), is all about the acoustic sounds of bluegrass, roots, Hawaiian, Americana, folk, Irish — whatever's not plugged in.
It's free; just bring your instruments (or just go to listen), a chair or blanket to sit on, and a picnic lunch. www.bluegrasshawaii.com/events.html.
Night owls, can you wait until Oct. 25? That's when the Honolulu punk band Black Square plays Bar 35, the Downtown hot spot. The free show starts at 10 p.m. 537-3535.
Hip-hop and reggae fans, here's one for you: Hip-hop at the Trops: The Breaks Edition, from 9:30 p.m. today showcases local groups Los Feo Faces and Guidance and DJs. It's at the Tropics Cafe, Ward Farmers Market, for those 18 and older, and it's free.
Jazz fans, there are a couple of concerts for you, too, and both feature Isle legends Jimmy Borges, vocals, and Betty Loo Taylor, piano. Details:
Coming up: Kapi'olani Community College's Office of Student Affairs Outdoor Concert, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 8 on the Great Lawn, is a free community outreach event. Bring your own picnic or buy food and drinks there; no alcohol permitted.
Scheduled to perform: Kaukahi, Keoki Kahumoku and Hoku Zuttermeister.
The Oahu Civic Orchestra, a volunteer nonprofit community orchestra, offers a "Classics to Pops II" concert, 7 p.m. Monday at Chaminade University's Eiben Hall.
The Royal Hawaiian Band regularly performs at noon Fridays at 'Iolani Palace and at 2 p.m. Sundays at the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand.
ON STAGE
Army Community Theatre's Sunday @2 Matinee Readers Theatre productions, at Fort Shafter's Richardson Theatre, are all free. Mark your calendars:
AT THE MALLS
There's a lot of free entertainment and even arts exhibits at O'ahu shopping malls.
At Pearlridge, these special concerts are coming up:
At Windward Mall, the photo exhibit "Reawakening," presented by Project Focus Hawai'i, is on display through Sunday during mall hours.
The black-and-white portraits were taken of and by children of incarcerated mothers. Project Focus Hawai'i's aims to help kids learn photo skills and build self- esteem.
Windward Mall also has a few free concerts coming up as part of its annual Festival of Giving, which supports community nonprofits and schools (www.windwardmall.com):
Wahiawa Shopping Center and Wahiawa Town Center celebrate the season with a free Family Fall Festival, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, with activities especially for youngsters 12 and younger. Those include make-and-take pumpkin decorating, Xtreme Fun rides and balloons. 262-0687.
ETC.
There's a free one-hour bus tour of Wahiawa at 10 a.m. each third Saturday of the month (reservations must be made a few days before each tour at 621-6531). It's too late to sign up for this Saturday's tour; the next one is Nov. 15.
The tours are sponsored by the Wahiawa Community and Business Association's Community Strengthening Program.
Apple fans — the computer, not the fruit — can take advantage of the Mactoberfest, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Art Building. The event is free, but attendees are asked to register at www.hmaus.com.
It includes a swap meet, food, seminars and door prizes.
"Muse" is a free bridal fashion event that showcases styles by Maui designer Tamara Catz, the debut of a collection by New York designer Thread and more. The event is from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at E&O Trading Co. at Ward Centre; fashion show at 4 p.m.
It's sponsored by Modern Pacific Weddings and SMART magazine. 737-0638.
Reach Debra Yuen at dyuen@honoluluadvertiser.com.
