IT'S LIVE: THIS WEEK ONLY

First Friday downtown gallery walk. Self-guided tour at venues downtown and in Chinatown. It's all about the arts. 5-9 p.m. today, 521-2903.

First Friday at Ong King Arts Center. Slam poet Jon Sands, music by The Easy, more. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. today, Ong King Arts Center. 306-7823.

Mama's Cookin'. A mix of hip-hop beats, conscious lyrics, rock, delta blues — oh, so delicious. 8:30 p.m. today, rRed Elephant. 550-8457.

5th Freedom, reggae. A day without reggae is like a day without ... well, reggae. 9 p.m. today, Boardriders Bar & Grill. 261-4600.

Kid Sister and A-Trak. It's a rap attack presented by Chicago Sister and Kanye West's official DJ. 9 p.m. today, NextDoor. 548-6398.

Flow. The 808 Hip-hop Showcase. Support your local, up-and-coming and already-there bands. 10 p.m. today, The O Lounge. 944-8436.

Carlos Barbosa-Lima, with Byron Yasui and Benny Chong. Acoustic guitar to soothe the soul. 7 p.m. Saturday, rRed Elephant. 545-2468.

Mama's Cookin'. The deliciousness continues. Also with guest Tempo Valley. 7 p.m. Saturday, Waimea Valley Audubon Center. 550-8457.

The Misfits. With Corrupt Absolute, Mistermeaner CD release party and The Knumbskulls. 7 p.m. Saturday, Pipeline Cafe. 926-3000.

On the Spot: Life Games. Improv games, film and theater genres. 8 p.m. Saturday, ARTS at Marks Garage. 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

Golden Child Entertainment. R&B/funk, jazz. Where jazz meets the jazz devotees. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Jazz Minds Art & Cafe. 945-0800.

Suga Suga Snow Party. All-ages teen dance event, with James Coles and His United DJs. 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Sunday, The O Lounge. 944-8436.

Kaleidoscope. Temporary Lovers, Awry By Design and G. Liu Jr. color our world at this indie/pop party. 9 p.m. Tuesday, NextDoor. 548-6398.

Jazz Wednesday, with The Honolulu Jazz Quartet (that's John, Tim, Dan and Adam). 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Honolulu Club. 543-3916.

West Coast Wednesdays, hip-hop. A Wednesday without hip-hop is like ... you get the picture. 9 p.m. Wednesday, Anna Bannana's. 946-5190.

Open mike, hosted by Justin James. Express yourself in Kailua. 9 p.m. Thursday, Boardriders Bar & Grill. 261-4600.

SOJA (Soldiers of Jah Army). Reggae, all the way from our nation's capital. 18/older. 9 p.m. Thursday, Pipeline Cafe. 589-1999.

ON THE TURNTABLES

DJ John Howard. Veteran DJ via San Francisco and New York gets in the groove. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday, Lotus Soundbar. 924-1688.

NOTABLE, NEW AND NOT-SO-NEW: DJS, BANDS AND SPACES

Top Shelf, with DJs, 808 Boyz, go-go dancers and more (must we say more?). 9 p.m. Fridays, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand. 923-0669.

Get Fresh! with DJs G-Spot, Ikon and SovernT. Downtown rocks every week. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, Indigo Eurasian Cuisine. 521-2900.

The Circus. Dancers, DJs and the magic of "Cirque Hawaii" performers. 10 p.m. Fridays, Cirque Hawaii (the old IMAX theater). 753-4970.

Friday Night Fever, DJs Papi, Ever, Teley B, Abel, Alfredo. 10 p.m. Fridays, Sergio's Italian Restaurant, Hilton Hawaiian Village. 223-4742.

The Playground. DJed hip-hop, R&B, soul, dancehall for the kids. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, the W Honolulu; 21/older. www.tantriqentertainment.com.

Tsukiji Fridays, DJs K-Smooth, Nocturnal Sound Crew. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays, Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant, Ala Moana Center. 237-5444.

Empire, with DJs Marlon, Betty, Mike J, Packo, NiteLite, Revise, Technique and more. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays, Lotus Soundbar. 924-1688.

House of Isis. DJs Big John, Billy G are the featured turntablists. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays, Zanzabar; 21/older. 924-3939.

Dragonfly Room. Hip-hop, R&B, neosoul, DJ Anit and the ever-present dress code. Aces! 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, W Honolulu; 21/older.

The Monkey Bar. DJs delve1der and XL. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays, Ciao Mein Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Waikiki; 21/older. www.verticaljunkies.com.

Fly. DJs Jrama, Epic, Lava, go-go dancers, performances by "Cirque Hawaii," more. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturdays, Cirque Hawaii; 21/older. 753-4970.

Hip-Hop Hump, dance, hip-hop. Just the thing to get over those midweek blues. 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Hula's Bar & Lei Stand. 923-0669.

Modern Love, dance, rock, pop. Downtown isn't just for weekends anymore. Just go, already. 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Mercury Bar.

Big Wednesdays. A little something to get over the hump. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays, The O Lounge; 18/older. www.verticaljunkies.com.

Cancun. Partying goes south of the border. We ask: What border? 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Thursdays, Señor Frog's; 21/older. www.verticaljunkies.com.

Redda Fire. Reggae and dancehall on the lovely waterfront. Dance! 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Thursdays, The Living Room, Fisherman's Wharf. 395-2100.

Eastside Grill. Not just a sports bar, but a great place to relax with friends; great pupu, too. Daily, Puck's Alley, 1035 University Ave. 952-6555.

Mai Tai Bar. The nonhookup beachside getaway with live music. 4:30-10:30 p.m. daily, The Royal Hawaiian hotel. 923-7311.

Reach Liane Yim at lyim@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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