First Friday flavor

Live jazz and a juried exhibit are two of the attractions for the monthly event

It's time for the First Friday gallery walk through the downtown and Chinatown areas, and this month, you can expect ...

» "Jazz and Jesters," a special Live on the Lawn event at the Hawaii State Art Museum (250 S. Hotel St., 586-0900), featuring a mix of jazz and theater. Entertainers include the University of Hawaii Jazz Ensemble and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet on the main stage, and in the second-floor Lanai Lounge, the New Jass Quartet and the cast of the UH Kennedy Theatre production of "The Servant of Many Masters," starting April 19.

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK Place: Downtown/ Chinatown district Time: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday Call: 521-2903

» An all-ages two-year anniversary party at Ong King Arts Center (184 N. King St., 306-7823) and the debut of the gallery/performance space's first media releases, featuring original, live music recorded there over time, and a poetry and art concept book. Fifteen visual artists of the past year will be featured, and starting at 9 p.m. (with a $10 admission), there'll be excerpts from past theater productions, music by Quadraphonix with Taimane Gardner, and belly dancing from Zoe Jakes.

» Get involved in a live interactive mural at The ARTS at Marks Garage (1159 Nuuanu Ave., 521-2903) presented in conjunction with the Hawaii Watercolor Society 46th Annual Members Exhibition, a juried exhibit by the members consisting of framed and matted works.

» In Marks Garage's Nuuanu Gallery (1161 Nuuanu Ave., 536-9828), an opening reception for "Color Less Delicious," featuring new works on paper by Eiketsu Baba, Lauren Clay, Andy DuCett, Jim Gaylord, Nicole Kita and Kyle Usui. It's a traveling exhibition organized by Attack Ebisu, an online artist collaborative featuring emerging artists from around the world. (www.aebisu.com)

» And just outside the gallery/performance space will be a mobile karaoke room by visiting Minnesota artist Michael Hoyt's Norae Shanty. The mobile karaoke room will also be in another surprise Oahu location on April 18. Go to hawaii.edu/art/intersections for details.

» 200 empty combat boots on Pauahi Street in front of the Pacific Traditions Gallery (19 Pauahi St., 531-3552) in a tribute to Hawaii's military personnel killed in Iraq called "Eyes Wide Open." Various artists respond to the military use -- and beauty -- of Makua Valley on the Leeward side.

» Wine-and-cheese opening of "Essence of Self," an exhibit by artist-musician Millicent Cummings of paintings, drawings and ceramic sculptures at Studio Be (63 N. Beretania St., 351-4960). Starting at 7, learn about natural building, using elemental materials as earth, stone, wood and straw ($5 donation).

» Painter Mark Brown will be demonstrating his work and bringing his students to the One Night Stand in the Chinatown Courtyard (1126 Smith St. #11 Gallery, 262-5930), which will include box dinners and desserts by Kate Wagner, and Hawaiian music by Fred Gayagas.

» And artist Seth Johnson and music by the Chris Vandercook Blues Band at the rRed Elephant (1144 Bethel St., 545-2468).

Other participating venues include:

» Bethel Street Gallery (1140 Bethel St., 524-3552)

» Louis Pohl Gallery (1111 Nuuanu Ave., 521-1812)

» Pegge Hopper Gallery (1164 Nuuanu Ave., 524-1160)

» The Exhibit Space at 1132 Bishop Street (599-5009)

» The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center (999 Bishop St., 526-1322)

» Ramsay Museum (1128 Smith St., 537-2787)

» The Art Board (1170 Nuuanu Ave. #104, 536-0121)

» Jeff Chang Pottery (808 Fort Street Mall, 599-2502)

» New Life Gallery (1190 Nuuanu Ave., 531-0303)

» Studio of Roy Venters (1160-A Nuuanu Ave., 381-3445)

» The Cathedral Gallery (1184 Bishop St., 536-7036)

» DaSpace (1192 Smith St., 2nd floor, 351-4960).