Shanghai youths perform

The internationally recognized Shanghai Children's Palace Art Troupe will perform 7 p.m. July 28 and 2 p.m. July 29 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall.

The performances will feature 24 youths, ages 10 to 17, performing choral works, dances (folk, modern and ballet) and Beijing opera.

Tickets are $15, $20 and $25 (plus service charges) and can be purchased at the Blaisdell box office and Ticket Plus outlets, or charged at 526-4400.

'Odd Couple' creates stir

Due to demand, tickets for Manoa Valley Theatre's production of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," starring KHON anchor Joe Moore and "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak, will go on sale a month earlier than previously announced. Tickets will be available beginning Wednesday through the Hawaii Theatre box office at 528-0506.

The show is being produced by MVT and staged at the Hawaii Theatre Center for four performances, Sept. 27 to 30. Tickets are $37, $27.50 and $17.50, with a $3 discount available to seniors 62 and over. MVT 2001-2002 season subscribers and HTC members will get a $5 per-ticket discount and advance purchase privileges.

Tickets are also available for an opening night post-performance reception on Sept. 27, at $35 per person. Guests will enjoy wine and pupus and "meet the stars."

Sakata's ear candy

Guitarist Vernon Sakata, known for his forays into world and jazz music, kicks off Mark's Garage's "The Summer Art Sessions Music Festival" 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Wednesday.

A regular sideman to Henry Kapono, he'll be featuring music from his two CDs "Millennium" and "Pandora's Box," as well as a few new tunes he'll be putting on his next CD.

He's assembled a backup band that consists of some of Honolulu's more noteworthy musicians: drummer James Ganecko, Darryl Aquino on bass, Yosh Gibson playing keyboards and Tim Tsukiyama on saxophone, plus Noel Okimoto will sit in on percussion for tomorrow's gig.

It all takes place at the Arts at Marks Garage, corner of Nuuanu Avenue and Pauahi Street. Tickets are $15, available at the Hawaii Theatre box office. Call 528-0506.

Kikaida rides again

Kikaida, the superhero icon of the 1970s, will appear at the 11th Annual Hawaii All-Collectors Show this weekend.

Kikaida is scheduled to appear 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Admission for adults is $3.75, $2 for children ages 7 to 11. Admission will be free on Sunday for seniors 65 and older.

Kikaida possessed two identities. In his human form, he was the guitar-playing Jiro, played by Ban Daisuke, who changed into a fighting robot in the presence of evil demons. The show's popularity spawned a sequel, "Kikaida Zero-One." Ikeda Shinsuke, the star of "Kikaida Zero-One," will also make a guest appearance.

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