Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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MOVIES

Filmfest showcases Kalihi students' talents

Kalihi students will show film shorts they've acted in and directed in a spring showcase at Farrington High School on Friday. Students from the 12 schools in the Farrington system have put together 26 documentaries, plus animation, music and public-service videos for their first film festival.

In addition to presentations by digital media students, there will be art and music performances by such groups as the Dole Middle School Chorus and the Farrington High band, and a deejay will work the crowd from 6 to 8 p.m.

Food will be available all night, plus a photo booth will be set up for quick snaps.

"We wanted to show kids that there are different ways to have fun, and that there are alternatives to dropping out," said Farrington High School's Christine Ho, a digital media and TV production teacher.

The free event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Farrington High School auditorium. Call 832-3579.

MUSIC

Homegrown musicians star in symphony finale

Whether you pronounce it "finale" or "finally," this coda on a most interesting Honolulu Symphony Orchestra season trots out some swell homegrown talent. Samuel Wong conducts HSO veteran violinist Ignace Jang and cellist Mark Votapek in a Masterworks smorgy dubbed "So Agreeable" -- Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1, Vaughn-Williams' "The Lark Ascending," Sarasate's "Carmen Fantasy" and Brahms' Symphony No. 2.

"Iggy" Jang credits "Carmen Fantasy" with keeping his soul together as a scuffling student fiddler in Paris, while the Saint-Saëns was the first orchestra solo Votapek ever performed, at age 15, when he was known as Marky Mark.

It all occurs at 8 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Admission -- still one of the best entertainment deals in Honolulu -- ranges from $15 to $68, with a $10 student price.

Information: 792-2000 or www.honolulusymphony.com.

PETS

Annual Hawaii Pet Expo celebrates 'Pet Power'

Our pets are family to us, and "Pet Power" is celebrated this weekend at the Hawaii Pet Expo 2007. (And if you didn't know, this week has been National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week).

With sponsorship from the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the expo encourages responsible pet ownership with educational displays, animal demonstrations, and booths offering the latest in pet products and services. Don't forget your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities that will be offered.

And if you decide to bring your critter along, dogs must be leashed and pets must be under their owner's control at all times.

The expo takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall with free admission, with nonperishable food items to be collected at the door to benefit the Hawaii Foodbank.

FAMILY

Strongarm Competition to take place at Pipeline

Ever heard the pickup line "Want to buy a ticket to the gun show?"

If someone asks you that question this weekend, try to fight off the temptation to smack them. They might just be talking about Saturday's "Hawaii Strongarm Competition" at Pipeline Cafe.

Presented by Prime Productions, the event is a one-day, nonsanctioned tournament that starts with weigh-ins at 6 p.m. The actual competition starts an hour later, with two referees and a setup right out of the movie "Over the Top." More than $1,000 in cash and prizes will be given away to top finishers.

Presale tickets for the event are $20, and are available at T-Spot Hideaway in Kapolei and Pipeline Cafe. After the competition is finished, the club will remain open until 4 a.m. with live entertainment by Rizon and Beyond Paradise. Call 723-2339 for more information, or visit www.primeproductions808.com.