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Karaoke state finals

Hundreds of talented Honolulu Karaoke singers sang their hearts out for the chance to compete in the Hawaii State Finals of the National Talent Quest Karaoke Contest. The top 21 Karaoke singers, as chosen by Walter's Sound & Karaoke Shop, will compete in the Hawaii State Finals on Sunday at The O Lounge. Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Jeff Coelho will emcee the event and confirmed judges are Craig Shimizu, Larry Nakano, Gordon Broad and Liz Watanabe.

Six finalists from the group of 21 will be chosen to travel to compete with the rest of the nation in Laughlin, Nev., for $20,000 in cash and prizes Sept. 17 to 25. Each Honolulu finalist will receive an all-expense paid trip courtesy of Vacations Hawaii and Walter's Sound & Karaoke.

The finalists competing are Todd Hughes, Kennie Deluz, Rylan Yashiki, Roy Robins Sr., Lunn Kinoshita, Lara Won, Scott Goldman, Sara Jane Chesney, Buster Walea, Melody Star Miles, John Luteru, Steve Miyamoto, Christelle Hamaguchi, Angela Caprilho, James Dysarz, Bob Mercado, Brenda Cabilis-Garcia, Shawn Garnett, Rheanne Groggs, Russell Algoso and Morris Harris.

» Place: The O Lounge, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.

» Time: 7 p.m. Sunday

» Cover charge: $10

» Call: 842-7003

Songbirds

The singers of Choralfest 2005 are gearing up for their vocal performance this weekend, and they welcome the community to attend the Choralfest service.

More than 100 singers from choirs and temples throughout the state are expected to gather for the event, singing song selections such as "The Golden Chain of Love" (music by Jennifer Taira), "Jusiege," "The Law of Change" (lyrics by Mieko Takamiya and music by Takeo Kudo), and "A Message from the Sun," the English version of a Japanese choral work.

» Place: Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, 1727 Pali Highway

» Time: 10 a.m. Sunday

» Call: 536-7044

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[ HOME & GARDEN ]

Pacific Home StyleIn

Home furnishings and accessories store Pacific Home celebrates its one-year anniversary by offering free monthly design demonstrations, the first of which is being held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Dave Staub of Tropical Garden Accents will teach participants how to combine textures and colors to transform indoor and outdoor ceramic containers into cheery home accents.

"StyleIns will offer a relaxed evening with complimentary wine, soft drinks and light pupu while we all become experts in styling our Pacific Homes," said Jennifer Johnson, who owns the store at 1115 Young St. with business partner Aubrey Yee.

To mark its first birthday, the store is offfering any in-stock Mitchell Gold or Bob Williams furniture at 15 percent off.

Call 596-9338 for more information.

DIY workshops

The following free do-it-yourself workshops are coming up in August at Home Depot stores throughout Hawaii.

» 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday only, Do-it-Herself workshop on organization. Participants will have hands-on practice installing wire shelving, closet organizers and other practical home organization devices. Sign up online at www.homedepotclinics.com to receive coupons for discounts on closet accessories.
» 9 a.m. today only, Kids' workshop on creating a DVD/video holder.
» 7 p.m. Tuesdays: Clean and prep with pressure washers.
» 7 p.m. Thursdays: Create storage and organization solutions.
» 7 p.m. Friday: Update your kitchen cabinets and fixtures.
» 10 a.m. Saturdays: Bsic and new faux painting technieques.
» 2 p.m., Sunday: Use a power drill to build a bookcase.

For more information, call the Home Depot nearest you, or 800-430-3376, or visit www.homedepot.com.

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