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'Idols' at the fair

Get a peek at the polished, post-"American Idol" Camile Velasco when she and fellow "Idol" Diana DeGarmo, whose debut album "Blue Skies" is now in stores, perform at the 50th State Fair at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow.

The free events are part of the Ohana Hotels & Resorts Concert Series that continues June 10 and 11 with Starship, starring Mickey Thomas.

The 50th State Fair continues at Aloha Stadium 6 p.m. to closing Fridays, noon to closing Saturdays and Sundays, and 6 p.m. to closing on June 9, running this weekend, June 9 to 12 and June 17 to 19.

Fair admission on concert days is $5 for 12 and older from 6 p.m. to closing, $3 from noon to 6 p.m., $2 for ages 4 to 11, and free for 3 and younger.

On non-concert days, admission is $3 for 12 and older; other prices remain the same.

Parking runs $5 per vehicle on Thursdays, Fridays, and after 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and .50 cents per person in vehicle before 3 p.m.

Fun Passes, at $23, are also available, good for one admission plus one wristband for unlimited rides (does not include Skyscraper) from noon to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to closing. The passes are available at Ticketmaster outlets, including Times Supermarkets, Blaisdell box office and BYU. To charge by phone, call 877-750-4400.

For more information, visit www.ekfernandez.com.

Brunch on the Beach

The city's "Brunch on the Beach" returns to Waikiki this weekend, for a morning of noshing and entertainment, running 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Kalakaua Avenue (in front of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki).

The event will pay tribute to the Merrie Monarch Festival, featuring three "Miss Aloha Hula" winners on the main stage: Maile Emily Kau'ilaniona'opuaeh 'ipoiokeanuenueokeola Francisco, Miss Aloha Hula 2005; Natasha Mahealani Akau, Miss Aloha Hula 2004; and Jennifer Kehaulani Oyama, Miss Aloha Hula 2003.

Also performing will be the Royal Hawaiian Band, Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners 'Ale'a, Bill Tapia, and Natalie Ai, another former Miss Aloha Hula, with the keiki of Halau Hula Olana.

Restaurants participating in the event are Duke's Waikiki & Hula Grill Waikiki, The Hau Tree Lanai, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio, Renaissance Illikai Waikiki, Royal Yakiniku, Seafood Village, Tea Chest Hawai'i, Tiki's Grill & Bar and Zanzabar Night Club.

Admission is free, and food is offered at prices ranging from $3 for pancakes with eggs from Royal Yakiniku, to $10 for pepper-salt prawns from Seafood Village.

As for parking, look for the "Holoholo Parking" signs at the Ohana East Hotel, King Kalakaua Plaza, Radisson Waikiki Prince Kuhio, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Waikiki Parking Garage and Waikiki Trade Center.

For more information, call 923-1094.

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Summer magic at Foster Garden

There are few things better than spending relaxing summer evenings listening to music in the open air, and Foster Botanical Garden will be the setting for a series of free concerts through August.

The "Twilight Concerts" series begins tomorrow, with the Wild Orchid Band performing soft rock from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Bring a picnic supper, mat and umbrella -- just in case.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for each concert, with other dates as follows:

Thursday: Celtic Pipes and Drums of Honolulu
June 16: Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club
June 23: USAF Band of the Pacific
July 1: Ha'aheo (Hawaiian music)
July 7: Chris Murphy (country folk) at 5 p.m.; Steve and Gordon (of Cooke Street) at 5:45 p.m.
July 21: Wild Orchid Band (classic country)
July 28: Army Brass Quintet
Aug. 4: Harp ensemble

Foster Botanical Garden is at 180 N. Vineyard Boulevard.

For more information, call Joyce at 522-7064.

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The garden's biggest event will be the annual Midsummer Night's Gleam, taking place 4:30 to 10 p.m. July 16.

That's when Foster Botanical Garden will be turned into a magical wonderland lit up by paper luminaries for exploring the rocks and minerals that glow in the dark.

There will also be a Mongolian encampment, storytelling, mural painting, a keiki crafts table, enter- tainment, a wish tree, harvest table and crafts, food and beverages.

Bring the whole family for the outdoor experience, surrounded by the garden's Exceptional Trees.

Admission is free. For more information, call 522-7060.

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