ART

Lecture and demo profiles Okinawan dance master

Learn all about classical Okinawan dance—and see some as well—at a free lecture and demonstration Sunday that discusses the art and teachings of Kin Ryosho, a master of Kumi Udui, 18th-century Okinawan court dance drama.

“;Ryukyu Geino: The Legacy of Kin Ryosho”; includes scholarly talks and performances of Kumi Udui by students of Cheryl Yoshie Nakasone, Okinawan dance teacher at the University of Hawaii.

Ryosho, one of the last living links to classical performing arts of the Ryukyu kingdom, has been honored as a Living Treasure by the Japanese government. The event runs 3 to 5 p.m. at UH's architecture auditorium. Call 734-7758.

FAMILY

Art events galore mean lots of fun for families

Families can enjoy a day of art in the Downtown Arts District Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when galleries will open their doors, some featuring special activities and demonstrations, for the monthly Second Saturday event.

From 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Hawaii State Art Museum, Hawaii Potter's Guild will run “;Clay Day!”;, where folks young and old can make magnets and brooches out of air-dry clay. Call 586-0307.

Also, at The Contemporary Museum, Cathy Spagnoli will perform with Asian puppets and toys from India, in conjunction with the museum's “;Puppet Show”; exhibit. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. Registration required; call 237-5217.

FAMILY

Say happy birthday to Princess Kaiulani

Commemorate the birthday of Princess Kaiulani at the Triangle Park across OHANA East Hotel in Waikiki Oct. 16 at 10 a.m., when a lei draping is held at the Kaiulani statue.

The ceremony will begin with a conch blowing and oli, followed by a few words by Hawaiian societies, including the Ahahui Kaiulani.

The 7-foot tall bronze statue of Kaiulani, dedicated in 1999, was created by artist Jan Gordon Fisher. It features the princess in a Victorian dress and a lei of pikake, her favorite flower. The princess, who adored peacocks, is depicted feeding one at her feet.

FOOD

Saku

20 Kainehe St. / 262-5661

I have no doubt Saku would do well in Honolulu. It has everything diners want from a Japanese restaurant—good food, right-priced; an extensive menu; and flights of sake and shochu at decent prices as well.

The catch: It's in Kailua, which is great if you live on the Windward side, but as good as it is, there's more than enough Japanese restaurants on this side of the island to divert making the trip.

If you want to check it out, you'll find a menu that can compensate for the extra gas expense. For less than $20, two could split a Caesar salad ($7.50), the comfort-oriented savory okonomiyaki pancake ($7) of veggies and pieces of tako and perhaps two orders of tsukune ($2.50 for two pieces), bouncy chicken meatballs shaped like flat lollipops.

Saku, meaning “;blossom,”; is part of a Nagoya chain making its first foray into the United States, and its specialty is its tebakara, Nagoya's version of Buffalo wings, coated with a secret sauce that registers as a very light, balanced blend of garlic, soy sauce and mirin, for starters. An order runs $5 for five pieces and its the most popular dish on the menu.

Add on little bites, like a trio of inch-round pumpkin croquettes ($4), needlessly topped with ketchup, or a trio of panko-crusted fried oysters ($4). Grilled New York steak is $10, and delicate miso butterfish is $9.

Sushi comprises the bulk of the menu, whether you like it nigiri or roll style, at $12 for the Caterpillar featuring unagi, cucumber, tamago and avocado, to $17.50 for the Rainbow with ahi, avocado, hamachi and salmon.

Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, and 5 to 10 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Costs about $30 to $50 for two without drinks.

MUSIC

Symphony orchestra goes all-American

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein and conductor David Alan Miller share the spotlight with the Hawaii premiere of Joseph Schwantner's new work, “;Chasing Light ...,”; in Halekulani MasterWorks' all-American program with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra on Friday and Saturday.

The program, “;An American in Paris,”; also features “;Appalachian Spring”; by Copland and “;An American in Paris”; by Gershwin.

Performances are held at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets run $19 to $70, with discounts for students, seniors, military and groups of 10 or more. Call 792-2000 or 524-0815, ext. 245; visit honolulusymphony.com; or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).