CELEBRATION

Scene Zine hosts party for its third anniversary

The 808 Scene Zine celebrates its third anniversary Friday with a show at Don Ho's Island Grill in Aloha Tower Marketplace, Doors open at 9:30 p.m.

In support of Hawaii's alternative music, art and tattoo scenes, sounds will be provided by the Dave Young Band, Stillborn Skies, Black Square and Eddie 8 Dynamite and exotic dances by Miss Catwings and Lola Love of the Cherry Blossom Cabaret.

On display will be artwork by Hanasaurusrex, Michelle Poppler, Raul Soria, Dr. Evil, Ian Aragon, Dodge Distad and more, plus tattoos by Koi Tattoo, Black Cat Tattoo and others.

There'll be prize giveaways, a free champagne toast and free pupu from Andy's Bueno Salsa and birthday cheesecake from Sure Shot Cafe.

Admission is $8 for the 21-and-over party. Visit www.the808scenezine.com.

FAMILY

Art museum's event highlights art of dance

Feel the “;Rhythm of Life”; at this month's free Family Sunday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the day's lineup includes:

» Step dancing by the Irish Club Hawaii's Celtic Keiki at noon.

» A 1950s sock hop recreated by The Dance Space's youth company at 1:15 and 1:45 p.m.

» Two pieces by the Convergence Dance Theatre at 2:30 p.m.

» Gospel music by the Faith and Praise trio at 3:15 p.m.

The museum galleries will be open, and there will also be a scavenger hunt.

Call 532-8700 or visit www.honoluluacademy.org.

FOOD

BOB BARR'S SMOKIN' BOB BARR-B-Q

46-132 Kahuhipa St. / 235-4004

Bob Barr's Smokin' Bob Barr-B-Q is back, after a seven-year absence, at its original location next to Barr's muffler shop. When I found out, I rushed over for old times' sake, to see if the ribs and sides were truly as good as I remembered.

The original restaurant opened in 1996 as a way of helping to pay the rent, allowing Barr to keep his muffler shop prices low. The makeshift endeavor, which closed in 2001 due to illness in the family, has been formalized over time, fortified by fencing and Barr's welded saguaro cactus creations.

Memory can be a tricky thing. I don't remember the pork ribs—$9.99 small plate of two rib bones and two sides, or $21.50 large for five rib bones and three sides—being slathered with such a treacly, tart barbecue sauce. I've never understood why so many want to cover up the flavor of the smoke and meat anyway.

Because the flavor of the meat is buried, you might as well order smoked tofu ($9.99 small, $14.99 large). Yes, the texture is mushier, but the flavors of smoke and barbecue sauce are the same as any of the meat dishes.

The staff made a great sales pitch for foot-long “;Bob-asaurus”; ribs bearing a pound of meat. This was something I had to see, and it was truly like something out of “;The Flintstones,”; overhanging its container so it wouldn't even close. Yes, there was a lot of meat on it that they nicely sliced. But for me, the flavor and texture of smoked beef doesn't match the succulence of pork.

A taco offered as part of Smokin' Bob's Tex-Mex Special ($19.99)—including fatty smoked beef brisket, cole slaw and delicious Barr-B-Q beans accented with diced smoked pork—was a pleasant surprise, filled with smoked chicken and spicy chipotle aioli. Next time, I'd probably consider getting a taco plate ($10.99 for one, $15.99 for two), with its beef, pork, chicken or smoked tofu options.

Also on the menu is meat and tofu by the pound, at $7.99 for tofu to $14.90 for Chicago-cut ribs.

Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays. Costs about $25 to $35 for two.

MUSIC

Buffett's backup takes the stage on her own

Nadirah Shakoor, a backup singer in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, has stayed back long enough after the Waikiki Shell show to do a solo concert at downtown's The Loft.

Shakoor also did a stint with Arrested Development—group leader Speech produced her solo album “;Soul Power”;—and recent collaborations with eminent deejay and house producer Osunlade have helped expand her sound.

A live band and dancers will backup Shakoor at Friday night's concert, with doors opening at 9.

The concert is part of the monthly Soulgasm series at The Loft (115 N. Hotel St.), presented by the local dance school Housing Project 360. Admission is $15, $12 for students with ID, and it's a 21-and-over event. Visit www.housingproject360.com.

MUSIC

Kids' band competition holds its semifinal

Hawaii's newest band talent competition, Band Champ, will hold its Oahu semifinal from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Pipeline Cafe.

Some of Oahu's most promising bands from high schools around the island will square off to find out who will represent the island during the Band Champ finale on March 21, also at the Kakaako club.

The Oahu semifinal winner will receive a custom Washburn electric guitar, as well as the right to compete in the finale against bands from Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

The winning band will receive $5,000, a recording contract to do a single and the chance to open for a concert promoted by Tom Moffatt.

Tickets are $10, with a $5 discount voucher available by purchasing any Burger King Value Meal. Present it when buying tickets in person either at Pipeline Cafe or the Blaisdell Center box office. (Tickets can also be purchased from Ticketmaster at (877) 750-3000 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Service fees may be applicable.)

Visit www.bandchamp.com.