Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: April 6–12, 2023

Photo Credit: Tracy Chan, Downtown Art Center

HEART of Honolulu Street Festival

Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artists and arts organizations take to the streets in Chinatown for a family-friendly festival this weekend. Explore art, live music, food, craft vendors and more. Visit The ARTS at Marks Garage for scratch art and enjoy discounts at downtown restaurants.Head down to Kumu Kahua Theatre for games with local actors and take a workshop on stage combat techniques. Families can enjoy make-and-take crafts from various vendors like Hawai‘i Craftsmen, Hope Hamada, Sergio Garzon and Nawai Ho‘olu‘u. Nu‘uanu Avenue will be closed to pedestrian traffic.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, Nu‘uanu Avenue from Chaplain Lane to King Street, downtownarthi.org/heartofhonolulufestival, @downtownartcenter

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

The Harlem Gospel Choir

Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Listen to a concert of contemporary gospel mixed with jazz and blues. This popular choir has been traveling the world for the past two decades, paying homage to black gospel music.

$45, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave, bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotejazz

SEE ALSO: Easter 2023 Menus at O‘ahu Restaurants and Bakeries

Crack Me Up! Easter Experience at Windward Mall

Through April 8, various times

Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and the Storybook Station’s magical fairies in the Easter Fairy Garden, located in Center Court. Bunny face-painting will be available, and kids can create an Easter egg ornament and take home a candy-filled egg. Enjoy special Easter shows by Storybook Entertainment on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

$15 to $25, Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, windwardmall.com, @windwardmall

SEE ALSO: 2023 Family Easter Events in Hawai‘i

Photo Credit: Brandon Miyagi

La Cage aux Folles

Through Sunday, April 16, Fridays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays 4 p.m.

You may recognize this story from the film The Birdcage. This play, using it original name from 1973, follows George, the manager of a Saint-Tropez drag nightclub. The star of the club is Albin, George’s long-time partner. Everything is fine until George’s son Jean-Michel brings home his fiancee’s conservative parents. Things get lively as George has to masquerade as a straight man, although Albin has his own plans.

$27-$52, Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapu‘u Ave., diamondheadtheatre.com, @diamondheadtheatre

Bloom! Garden + Art Festival

Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get into the spring spirit at this family-friendly event where you can shop local nurseries, handmade items and packaged goods. Check out plant displays and attend a succulent-making workshop at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Family-Friendly Event, Free, East Village Shops and Ward Centre, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. #200, wardvillage.com, @wardvillage

Photo Credit: Alden Fukushima

Put Some Spring In Your Step with Spring Wind Quintet

Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m.

In its 40th season, the Chamber Music Hawai‘i’s Spring Wind Quintet performs Anton Reicha’s “Wind Quintet Op.88 No. 1”, Michael-Thomas Foumai’s “Flash Fiction” and Paquito d’Rivera’s “Aires Tropicale.”

$35, Doris Duke Theatre, 900 South Beretania St., chambermusichawaii.org, @chambermusichawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i

Tip “T.I.” Harris

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Grammy award-winner Tip “T.I.” Harris performs live—he’s released eleven hit albums and has appeared in popular films like Antman and American Gangster. This multi-talented actor, musician and entrepreneur is the genius behind a record label, a film production company and even a clothing line.

$50-$160, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotejazz.com, @bluenotejazz

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Theatre

Potted Potter

Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9; 7 p.m. on Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday

This Olivier Award-nominated show is a parody of the Harry Potter series where all seven books are condensed into 70 hilarious minutes. Created by actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, this play is ideal for audiences aged six and up.

Family-Friendly Event, $67.50 to $87.50, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre

Photo: Courtesy of Waikiki Swim Club

2023 Fin Swim at Ala Moana Beach Park

Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m.

Compete in this 2,000-meter ocean swim race that begins at Magic Island, swimming toward Kewalo Basin. Fins, goggles and snorkels are permitted and bright colored swim caps are mandatory. Swimmers must be eight years or older. Late registration is currently available, including on race morning between 6:15 to 7:30 a.m.

$45, Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., tickets available here, @waikikiswimclub

Photo Credit: Christine Lamborn

Spring Footholds: Merge

Wednesday, April 5 through Saturday, April 8; 7:30 every night, Saturday includes a 2 p.m. performance

Enjoy a performance by student dancers that showcases works by graduate and undergraduate choreographers. Performances include contemporary dance, Japanese martial arts and much more, all pieced together by dance concert director and UHM Dance Faculty member Pei-Ling Kao. There will be a Q & A with choreographers after the show on Friday, April 7.

$8 to $18, Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, 1770 East West Rd., manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/footholds