A TASTY ALTERNATIVE

The third annual Taste of the Arts street festival takes over Chinatown today, and this year it's going alternative with the theme, "Alternative Taste Street Festival." The fest is being presented in part by the LGBT community, and while not an exclusively gay event, this will be the first Downtown street festival to celebrate the LGBT culture. There will, of course, be something for everyone of every persuasion, including live performances by Celtic rock outfit Doolin' Rakes (pictured), the Klezmer funk stylings of Haberdashery and music to move to courtesy of the Rolando Sanchez Salsa Band. Noshables will be provided by local restaurants including Indigo, Brasserie Du Vin, Murphy's Bar and Grill, Soul de Cuba and India Café.

Taste of the Arts / 6-10 p.m. today / Downtown along Nu'uanu Avenue and Hotel Street / Free

COMEDY HIGH

Comedian Doug Benson will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pipeline Café ($20, www.groovetickets.com). He is a regular on VH1's "Best Week Ever" and starred in "Super High Me" about the, um, effects of marijuana.

SINGULAR SENSATION

"Every Little Step," a documentary that follows the making of the revival of Broadway's "A Chorus Line," will be released on DVD Tuesday. The film stars local boy and "Chorus Line" cast member Jason Tam.

FROM FINLAND, WITH DEATH METAL

Children of Bodom bring the heavy metal noise!

Children of Bodom / Pipeline Café / 10 p.m. Wednesday / $27, $45 VIP / All ages (under 18 with adult) / www.groovetickets.com

STRING THEORY

The Cavani String Quartet will open the season for the Honolulu Chamber Music Series at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Doris Duke Theatre. The program will include Beethoven's String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 6 and Dvorak's popular Quartet, Op. 96 — "The American" ($35, 386-6987).

ORCHID CENTRAL

The Honolulu Orchid Society celebrates 70 years with its anniversary show and plant sale. The show runs today through Sunday at the McKinley High School cafeteria (9 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, www.honoluluorchidsociety.org).

DIVALICIOUS

En Vogue is together again celebrating its 20th anniversary in the music biz. The divas headline the Mega '80s & '90s Music Festival at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Blaisdell ($85-$125, www.ticketmaster.com).

FABULOUS FIVE

Popular Chinatown lounge thirtyninehotel celebrates its fifth anniversary at 8 p.m. Saturday (39 N. Hotel St., $15, 599-2552) with DJs Juan Nunez and Mark Chittom.