Now Simon can insult your grand ideas

APPARENTLY Simon Cowell, best known for berating tone-deaf songsters on "American Idol," hasn't had his fill of folks in search of their 15 minutes of fame. Instead of scouting the states for another Kelly Clarkson, Cowell is in search of the next Thomas Edison for his new reality show "American Inventor."

That ingenious idea of yours could land you a million bucks and some airtime on ABC, so pull out that tool box and start tinkering. Inventors, prospective entrepreneurs and the like are invited to the "American Inventor" casting call on Thursday in San Francisco.

Come with a sketch, prototype or even just an original idea -- the only requirement is that the invention can be mass-produced and sold at a retail outlet. The competition is open both to individuals and teams of all ages.

After crossing the United States and reviewing all possibilities, Cowell's "American Inventor" team of judges will narrow down the initial entries to a group of finalists who'll each be given $50,000 to develop their product.

Participants can begin lining up as early as 6 a.m. at the Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel, 55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco. The casting call officially opens at 8 a.m. Visit http:// www.americaninventor.tv.

-- Christina Troup

The topic is Palestine

From an artist living in a Palestinian refugee camp to a Manhattan painter whose work frequently appears on the cover of the New Yorker, the 14 artists featured in a Berkeley art show create work with a point of view.

The exhibition, "Justice Matters: Artists Consider Palestine," opened earlier this month at the Berkeley Art Center and runs through Dec. 17.

Each artist explores issues of occupation and colonization in Palestine.

The Berkeley Art Center is presenting "Justice Matters" in collaboration with the Middle East Children's Alliance. Special events scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition include 7 p.m. speaking engagements with the director of a refugee camp cultural center (Nov. 25), a family photo slide show by a Berkeley-based Palestinian couple (Nov. 30) and a panel of the artists (Dec. 7). The speaker series concludes Dec. 15 with a discussion of about how people in the Middle East come together to talk and work for peace.

Hours at the center, 1275 Walnut St. in Berkeley, are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; closed Nov. 24. Admission is free. Call (510) 664-6893 or visit http://www.berkeleyartcenter.org.

-- Monique Beeler

Say aloha to 'Alua'

Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu believes "If you don't progress, you will lose the future."

It's a philosophy that has resulted in both praise and criticism for the hula teacher and founder of the Academy of Hawaiian Arts in Oakland, which is making a name for itself for its non-traditional presentations of Hawaiian dance.

Bay Area audiences can see the company at "Alua," its newest production, on Saturday at the Chabot College Center for the Performing Arts in Hayward. Keali'i Ho'omalu has choreographed new songs and dances that explore the significance of cultural changes. Rather than focusing on ancient legends, the dances examine day-to- day activities, such as fishing, and how and why changes in these activities have occurred.

Also on the program are The Makaha Sons, an award-winning three- man band.

In April, the academy dancers will participate in the Merrie Monarch Festival, the week-long, by-invitation-only competition in Hilo, Hawaii. It's the premiere hula competition in the world.

Tickets for "Alua" are $35 and $50, available at http:// www.ahahula.com. The show begins at 7 p.m. at the theater, 25555 Hesperian Blvd. in Hayward. Doors open an hour before the show. For more information call the academy at (510) 635-2160.

-- Catherine Schutz

Can't stop the music

"24 Hours of the Blues," a benefit for musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina, runs for 24 hours straight beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at Vallejo Performing Arts Center, 707 Marin St.

Sponsored by the Oakland-based Bay Area Blues Society, the event will include blues, zydeco, Cajun, R&B and gospel music.

Proceeds go to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama musicians displaced by the hurricane.

The society is hosting the Vallejo event in conjunction with the MusiCares Foundation.

For more information, visit http://www.bayareabluessociety.net, send e-mail to hipwayblues@hotmail.com, or call (510) 836-2227 or (707) 647-3962.

-- Barry Caine

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