FILE PHOTO JUNE 2005 Friday's the night to catch a sneak preview of the 2005 Grammy nominees for Best Hawaiian Music Album. The Hawai'i State Art Museum (HiSAM) is offering a free concert at 7 p.m. Among the performers will be Raiatea Helm, left, George Kahumoku, Cyril Pahuinui, Ledward Ka'apana, Sonny Lim, Kapono Beamer and Da 'Ukulele Boys. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs, beach mats and picnic food from 5 p.m.

Night of art and music downtown

IT'S A NEW year and time once again for First Friday, the city's free downtown-Chinatown gallery walk. Here are highlights of what some of the art spaces are offering this month from 5 to 9 p.m.:

» The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave. (521-2903): An opening reception for two new conceptual exhibitions. "Vince Hazen: The Transfigured Pedestrian" (elevating the banal to high art, with paintings made with slug tracks, dog hair and mold) and "san shoppell: running with scissors," an exploration of intermedia.

» Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nuuanu Ave. (521-1812): New works by Takeo and Rich Richardson, plus "Water Through Your Fingers: Traditional Japanese Hand Washing Vessels and Images."

» The Cathedral Gallery, 1184 Bishop St. (536-7036): Artist Mark Brown, who will be demonstrating his technique during the night. Also showing will be New York-based photographer Lorraine DePietro, with her photographs of Hawaii.

» The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, 999 Bishop St. (526-0232): Open from 7 to 9 p.m., this month features a tour of the current exhibition, "Here," with exhibiting painter Stephen Niles, as well as refreshments and music by Michael Tanenbaum and Randy Wheeler. Continuing exhibits include "David Hamma: A Year of Sundays" and "May Chee: An Overview of Ceramic Works."

» The Hawai'i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St. (586-0900): In addition to the three standing exhibitions, "Enriched by Diversity," "Reflecting Hawai'i" and "Summertime!," visitors will get a sneak preview of the 2005 Grammy Awards lineup nominated for Best Hawaiian Music Album, with a free concert on the front lawn. Lawn chairs, beach mats and picnic food are allowed, but not alcoholic beverages. Free hot coffee and pastries will be provided, and plate lunches will be available for purchase.

» Bethel Street Gallery, 1140 Bethel St. (524-3552): "Everybody Rules the World," from local artist Christopher St. John, who will be in attendance. The artist captures everyday life with a skewed perspective.

» The Pegge Hopper Gallery, 1164 Nuuanu Ave. (524-1160): Holiday Leftovers, with new paintings, posters and prints.

» The Ramsay Museum, 1128 Smith St. (537-2787): Features a collection of Ramsay's original drawings and prints.

» Hank's Cafe Honolulu, 1038 Nuuanu Ave. (526-1410): Featuring the pau hana piano music of Bobby Cortezan and, always on display, paintings and prints by proprietor Hank Taufaasau.

Also participating: Cafe Che Pasta, 1001 Bishop St.; Got Art?, 1136 Nuuanu Ave.; Jeff Chang Pottery, 808 Fort Street Mall; Mercury, 1154 Fort Street Mall; NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St.; Pacific Traditions Gallery, 19 N. Pauahi St.; Studio of Roy Venters, 1160 Nuuanu Ave.; Sharky's Tattoo, 1038 Nuuanu Ave.; thirtyninehotel, 39 N. Hotel St.; and the Toshiko Takaezu Ceramics Studio at the YWCA, 1040 Richards St.

Also happening in the neighborhood ...

» Pipe Dreams, 181 N. King St.: Handblown glass by Seattle artist Dorian Rennando, and live jazz performed by River St. Collective.

» Daspace, 1192 Smith St., 2nd floor: Paintings by One SmarTita, Katie Ku'ualoha O'Brien. Born with congenital cytomegalovirus, "Miss Katie" and her ohana will be in attendance.

» Details Gallery, 1142 Bethel St.: Opening receptions for the nature photography of Laura Fowler and ceramic felines by artist Susan Hogan.

» Tea at 1024, 1024 Nuuanu Ave.: "The Apple and the Tree," a father and daughter art exhibit. Father Danton Naone presents his graphite pencil drawings of the paniolo (cowboy) experience. Daughter Nicole Naone, 18, works with a variety of mediums, including photography and painting.

» Red Elephant, 1144 Bethel St.: J. Forest Ocean Bennett's symbolic 3-D work and Pearl Pualani Ling's interpretive mo'olelo artwork.

» Mendonca Building Courtyard, 1126 Smith St. (next to #18 on the gallery walk guide map): A one-night stand in the Chinatown courtyard. Teacher Michelle Tamayose will show mixed media and oils, and Katherine Lau will be offering prints, silk screen and mixed media works. Andre Yanoviak will show pastels, Daunna Yanoviak, mixed media, and Karen Kiefer will return to the courtyard with her oil paintings.

Maps to the galleries may be picked up at any of the participating venues.