This Weekend: Make A Date with the Big Island

What are you going to do this weekend? Don’t know? Don’t stress. BigIslandNow.com brings the entertainment options to you.

It’s like having your very own concierge service, or smiling errand girl at your fingertips. Sit back, take a peek below, and enjoy the island’s offerings.

For the Love…

of the stoke. Tonight, Jan. 4, take that surf bum or bum-ess? out of the water and into the gorgeous cinematography, storytelling and, of course, music of the Waimea Ocean Film Festival. For ticket and film info go to www.waimeaoceanfilm.org.

As part of the festivities, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel hosts the Taste of Hawai`i on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. Sample delicious fare from the island’s top chefs.

Unfortunately, tickets are no longer available online and passionate food lovers are asked to contact the box office. Call 808-854-6095 for more information.

3D Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe, courtesy image from ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

Have an Out-of-Body Experience

Or, nearly. Slip on some geekster-hip 3D glasses and sink into plushy seats at the ‘Imiloa’s planetarium tonight.

Immerse yourself in the universe with this colorful and educational presentation of the 3D Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe.

Show starts at 7 p.m. Go to www.imiloahawaii.org, or arrive before show time at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Tickets are $10 general and $8 for members.

A walk through the park. Photo by Kristin Hashimoto

Take a Hike

Literally. The Volcano Art Center’s twice-weekly Monday and Saturday jaunt guides visitors and locals through the rainforests in Volcano.

This free hour-long, 1/7-mile loop trail walk begins at 11 a.m. Visit www.volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222 for more information.

Question Reality

with the East Hawai’i Cultural Center’s “Projector Head Performance.” This performance tells the story of a man who begins to realize that reality is self-derived and is composed of his feelings, thoughts, desires and past experiences.

The East Hawai’i Cultural Center, photo by Kristin Hashimoto

For more information visit www.ehcc.org, or call 961-5711. Show times are Jan. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Wear Your Dancing Shoes

Le Hot Club de Hilo performs Gypsy Jazz live at the Hilo Elks Lodge on Sunday, Jan. 6 for a sweat-inducing night of swing dancing, gyrations and wide smiles.

The body-shaking begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9. Tickets are $10 at the door. The lodge is located at 150 Kino’ole St. in Hilo. Parking is located off Ululani Street.