Our Picks for the Weekend Star-Bulletin staff

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MUSIC

Rubber Soul Beatles band is booked for 2 dates

Honolulu's own Beatles tribute band Rubber Soul is doing double duty this weekend. Not only is it performing at Sunset on the Beach on Sunday, but it's the featured band at this month's ARTafterDARK at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in a program called, not surprisingly, "All You Need is Love."

There'll also be a dance floor, with food and drink provided by Tiki's Grill & Bar. The museum also promises patrons that they'll also "learn about LOVE in the visual arts."

The shindig's free to Academy members and $7 admission for everyone else. The fun runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

VIDEO GAMES

Tetris Challenge going strong at Windward Mall

Tetris pretty much started the video game revolution, and it's been around enough years that something like the Tetris Challenge was bound to happen. Such a competition has been in full swing since Monday at the Windward Mall's Center Court, and it will continue to run this week and next from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Created in the then-Soviet Union in the mid-1980s, contest sponsor Blue Planet Software claims that many local residents play the addictive block puzzle on a regular basis.

Prizes will be given away, including free Tetris games and coupons for the new online downloadable version, Tetris Zone. On Sunday, June 3, daily winners will compete against each other for the grand prize, an Xbox 360 game system, complete with a Tetris Evolution game.

For more information, call 954-6110.

FREEBIE

Hawaiian Civil War group is looking for re-enactors

If the recent spate of swampy weather didn't make you want to pull on a pair of thick woolen trousers, this might: The newly founded Hawaiian Civil War Association is calling for blue and gray and butternut re-enactors.

Organized by Scott Bartlett, late of Southern California's 69th New York (damnyankee re-enactors), and McGowan's Brigade of Sharpshooters (rebel re-enactors).

The newly minted organization is having a get-together Saturday afternoon at Mililani Town Center. Says Bartlett, "The HCWA is a living history group, and at this event we plan to host many school-tour-like activities for public. We will also have some firing demonstrations and show the public the school of the soldier."

Look for the guys in wool.

And what does Hawaii have to do with the American Civil War? Why did we start growing sugar?

For more information, call 622-1383 or e-mail Dustyayres@yahoo.com.

FESTIVAL

Free concert and exhibits teach ocean preservation

Learn how we can protect and preserve our ocean environment by attending the free concert and ocean awareness festival E Malama I Ke Kai at Kapiolani Park and Bandstand on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Translated to "Care for the Ocean," E Malama I Ke Kai benefits the nonprofit Hawaiian language immersion program Punana Leo o Kawaiaha'o, which takes seriously its kuleana to both educate and to perpetuate the Hawaiian value of love for the ocean.

Performers include Weldon Kekauoha, Kainani Kahaunaele, She Rocks, Kupaoa, Keawe & Tracie Lopes, 2006 Merrie Monarch winners Na Pualei o Likolehua and kumu hula Leina'ala Kalama Heine's Na Pualei o Likolehua, and more.

The festival will also feature original ocean exhibits and activities provided by nationally acclaimed ocean conservation organizations as well as local experts and institutions. Plus there'll be inflatable funhouse attractions, and keiki rides and games.

Call 536-7999 or go online at www.ahapunanaleo.org/schools/schools_kawaiahao.html.

FOOD

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine

1118 Fort Street Mall / 271-2780

There's so little healthy cuisine available at restaurants that most people simply give up trying. Eating right is too much of a chore. Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine makes it easy to go green. It's the Fort Street Mall satellite of the Hare Krishna-run Govinda's Vegetarian Buffet at 51 Coelho Way and for those who equate vegetarian cuisine with austerity, wake up! Eating here never means sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

Govinda's keeps patrons happy and healthy with a rotating repertoire of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Those weaned on fat, salt and sugar will be struck by the purity of Govinda's cuisine. But don't mistake this for blandness. Red curry with coconut milk, zucchini and tofu is every bit as flavorful as its Thai counterpart, and even includes the bite of chili peppers. What isn't here is unnecessary salt and oil.

It's the same with nongreasy potato-and-pea-filled samosas ($2.65) that are baked rather than fried, and spanakopita (Greek spinach pie, $2.65) that isn't weighed down by butter-saturated layers of phyllo.

Food is made at the temple and brought in, with two entree choices available daily. It's possible to eat here for a month without repeating a dish. You will find a lot of curries, although the type of curry and ingredients will vary. Standard daily options include the samosas, spanakopita and a homemade brown-rice garden veggie burger ($3.75) with a nutty texture that's moist, rather than dry as with packaged versions.

Prices are right, at $4.50 for a mini plate that includes an entree (it's $7.15 for two choices) with brown rice, green salad and dessert of halvas (75 cents a la carte), a semolina-based dessert -- sweetened with peanut butter or fruit -- that tastes so good, you'd swear it's bad for you.

Finish with a refreshing drink of Lemon-Mint Ginger Rush $1.45 for 12 ounces and $1.75 for 20 ounces.

Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Costs $5 to $9 per person for lunch.