Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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MUSIC

Rap legend E-40 returns for concert at Blaisdell

Break out the white tees and Nikes this weekend -- Bay Area rap legend E-40 returns to the islands to headline a concert at the Blaisdell Arena on Saturday.

Born Earl Stevens, the 39-year-old was here last year as part of the annual Pro Bowl festivities. He's still riding high on the success of his latest album, "My Ghetto Report Card."

With more than a dozen years in the hip-hop game, E-40 is also recognized as an ambassador for what has become known as "The Hyphy Movement," and is a mentor to a number of younger artists. His son, Droop-E, has also chosen to follow in his footsteps, releasing a number of albums and working with his father's label, Sick Wid It Records.

E-40 arrives in Honolulu with buddy Doey Rock in tow; local hip-hop group Local Boyz Eternally is rumored to be the opening act. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 advance, available at Ticketmaster outlets and the Blaisdell box office; $40 at the door.

MOVIES

Get fill of film and food at Maui Film Festival

It's a great time to be on Maui, movie lovers. The Maui Film Festival continues through Sunday, offering sneak peeks of films such as "Evan Almighty" (with Steve Carrell), "I Could Never Be Your Woman" (Michelle Pfeiffer) and "Penelope" (Christina Ricci).

Oscar-winning actor William Hurt will receive the festival's Navigator Award for distinguished career; Claire Danes receives the Nova Award for the originality and insight of her performances.

The festival, at the Grand Wailea Resort, includes a full schedule of movies held in five theaters, filmmaker panels, conversations with the award winners, food festivals and the awards gala.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.mauifilmfestival.com for complete schedules and ticket information or call (808) 572-3456.

STAGE

Performance blends jazz, dance and painting

Celebrate the art of jazz with a performance that mixes art and jazz, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Cupola Theatre in the Honolulu Design Center.

What does that mean?

"Jazz & The Creative Act: A Living Triptych" involves the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, dancer/choreographer Pam Sandridge and painter Lauren Okano, all doing their thing in what's billed as a "live improvised interaction."

You'll probably need to see it to understand it, but basically the musicians will play, the dancer will dance to the music and the painter will paint, inspired by both, as her creative process is projected on a video screen.

Robert Pennybacker's 21-minute documentary, "Jazz & the Creative Act," which features all the same performers, will be screened, and a full exhibit of Okano's work will be on view.

Tickets are $15 at the door. E-mail rrp@hawaii.rr.com.

TV

'Aloha Finale' to conclude International Piano Fest

The Aloha International Piano Festival wraps up over the next few days at the Hawaii Convention Center's Liliu Theater.

The big event is Sunday's "Aloha Finale! Piano Ensemble Extravaganza" at 3 p.m. The showcase will feature various combinations of pianos and pianists: two pianos/two players; one piano/two players; two pianos/four players.

Those players are Lisa Nakamichi, Noriko Uenaka, Steven Graff, Sean Botkin and Martin Canin, performing works by Milhaud, Brahms, Rachmaninov, Gounod and Vilback. Tickets are $30; $5 students.

Leading up to Sunday's extravaganza is a recital by Graff of works by Bach, Barber and Pulitzer prize-winning composer David Del Tredici, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20; $5 students.

And on Saturday, the First Aloha International Piano Competition starts at 9 a.m.

Visit www.lisanakamichi.com or call 779-3108.

FOOD

Downtown @ the HiSAM

Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St. / 536-5900

The downtown area has long been known for cheap noodles and reasonably priced ethnic fare, but gentrification has led to the arrival of eateries with an entry point of $25 per person. From a restaurateur's standpoint, it may seem fair for what's on the plate, but to the consumer, the sticker shock is a result of seeing too much of a leap too soon.

Leave it to Ed Kenney and David Caldiero, chef/partners of Town -- and now its sister establishments Downtown @ the HiSAM and Downtown ASAP! -- to deliver some relief from the insanity.

The gist of the Town/Downtown experience is getting people to appreciate the nuances of real food, as opposed to food drowned in cheese or sauces or otherwise pummeled into submission. For now, it's a lunchtime operation, with salads running about $6 to $8 and large plates running about $9.50 to $16.50. Wingnut's Super Size Salad ($9.50) is a good place to start. It's a mystery salad based on maker Wing Ho's mood as he creates. And what a selection it can be: lettuces, arugula, tomatoes, beets, oranges and grapefruit, pistachios, pine nuts and Pecorino cheese with a light touch of vinaigrette. At the high end is the most popular dish of a petite filet mignon served with a sauce of port and green peppercorn, plus arugula and shoestring potatoes.

Just as at Town, menus are subject to rotation. You may find a grilled-cheese-size sandwich of tender duck confit with gruyere and Medjool date mustard on grilled rye ($10.50), Manila clams in a saffron broth with slices of chorizo, Kahuku corn kernels and roasted tomatoes ($9.50), or a lasagna of ground lamb with a mild tomato sauce, Pecorino and hint of mint ($13.50).

For those who can't linger, can't afford the sitdown lunch, or can't be seen dining alone, Downtown ASAP! offers quick counter service, with quiche, salad, sandwich, soup and antipasti combinations for less than $9.

Best of all is the restaurant's First Friday introduction of authentic Spanish tapas. Offered to revelers at the last event were 30 items, including spiced lamb-stuffed picadillo peppers, marinated manchego, jamon croquetas (ham-and-cheese fritters), squid salad with potatoes and olives, cured meats, bacon-wrapped dates, etc. Can't wait till the next one July 6.

Lunch for two runs about $20 to $30. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, plus evenings every First Fridays.