Romi Beppu was a typical tomboy, climbing trees and playing sports, until she started dance classes at the age of 7 with John Landovsky at the Hawaii State Ballet.

The venture began as a routine extracurricular activity, but Beppu fell in love with the art form immediately.

“I loved the music, the movement. It was a totally different world and really opened my eyes,” she said. “Once I realized I was serious, the other activities went out the door.”

Beppu moved to New York after graduating from Punahou School in 1994. She worked as a professional ballerina for 16 years, including time as a principal dancer with Boston Ballet and Ballet West. Dancing has taken her around the world, touring through Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Japan.

She retired from Ballet West in April, but hasn’t left her pointe shoes behind. She moved home to Hono­lulu to share her experiences with the next generation. “Ballet is my passion … it’s what I’ve been doing my whole life.”

Tomorrow, she opens the doors to her new studio, Honolulu Classical Ballet at Ward Warehouse.

As a kid growing up in Honolulu, Beppu didn’t think it was possible to succeed in the professional ballet world because of the limited training opportunities on the island.

“There were no teachers fresh from the professional world,” she said. “Now I have the ability to open the eyes of other young, local aspiring dancers.” She plans to incorporate elements of American, French, Italian and Russian schools of training into her curriculum.

Beppu says that classes will be offered for all age groups, and suitable for serious ballerinas or those who “just want a taste of it.” — Nancy Arcayna

Kids’ Night Out lets parents take a break

Need a babysitter?

The Children’s Discovery Center in Kakaako offers Kids’ Night Out — a special event for keiki the second Friday of the month.

A team of educators will offer keiki ages 4 to 10 dinner (cheese pizza), a movie and playtime in the center’s exhibit galleries. Parents, meanwhile, can go for a night out on the town.

The next Kids’ Night Out takes place from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on April 13, with a screening of "Rio." The deadline to register is April 6.

Cost is $35 ($30 for members), and $25 for additional siblings ($20 for members). Call 524-5437. — Star-Advertiser staff

Aiea High turns 50 with fun fair

Aiea High School is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Family Fun Fair from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday on the school campus.

There will be fun for all ages, including rides, bouncers, a petting zoo, pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, face painting, a craft fair, a country store and food booths.

Parking is available at Aiea Elementary School for $3, with a free shuttle bus to the high school.

A wristband (good for unlimited rides and one attempt at the rock-climbing wall) is $20.

Contact Nancy Hsu at 382-7713 or AHSFFF@yahoo.com. — Star-Advertiser staff

Give the arts a try at popular festival

If you want to create art, and not just view it, then the Paliku Arts Festival is for you.

The second annual Paliku Arts Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 31 in and around the grounds of Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College in Kaneohe.

Windward Community College art professors, instructors and students will be on hand with supplies to help festival-goers paint, draw, sculpt, dance, act, play music, create masks and write poetry and prose.

Honolulu Printmakers will also be leading hands-on activities.

Watch spontaneous scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" or explore the art exhibit in Gallery ‘Iolani. Author Chris McKinney will be conducting screenwriting and fiction-writing workshops.

Catch a free performance at the Paliku Theatre of "How I Became a Pirate," a musical production of the children’s book.

Last year’s festival drew a crowd of nearly 4,000.

Contact Bonnie Beatson, beatson@hawaii.edu or 235-7374. — Star-Advertiser staff