What's Up!

Local favorite Celebrating Kapi'olani The birthday of Queen Kapi'olani will be celebrated with 15-minute tours at a lushly decorated 'Iolani Palace Dec. 27-28. Tours begin at 6 p.m., continuing every 10 minutes until 8:30 p.m.; first come, first served. A $2 donation is suggested; free for kids 5-12 (no kids under 5, please). 522-0822.

Jack Johnson, athlete/musician/filmmaker whose debut compact disc is titled "Brushfire Fairytales," performs at World Cafe. He will also screen his surfing film, "The September Sessions." Johnson was born and raised in Hawai'i and is a former pro surfer. 8 p.m. Dec. 21; doors open 7 p.m. It's an all-ages show. $15, on sale at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Ke'eaumoku, Cheapo Music, Hungry Ear, military outlets, Ticket Plus (526-4400). 599-4450, 947-3633.

CONCERT: Dec. 21

Alicia Keys, a rising superstar whose debut album "Songs in A Minor" has been a chart-topper for months, comes to Honolulu for a concert at World Cafe. Midnight Dec. 21 (doors open at 10 p.m.); those 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. $15, available at World Cafe, Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), Hungry Ear Kailua, military bases, charge by phone at 585-2877.

CONCERT: Dec. 24

Singer/pianist Jay Larrin and comic Frank DeLima team up for a Christmas Eve show at the Hibiscus Ballroom, Ala Moana Hotel. 6-9:30 p.m. Dec. 24 (show begins at 7:30 p.m.). Tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for children under 12, includes dinner buffet; cocktails extra. 955-4811.

COMEDY: Dec. 27-29

Howie Mandel, comedic star of television, films and clubs, returns for a three-island stand-up tour. Mandel, a former talk show host and co-star on NBC's "St. Elsewhere," performs at least 200 concert dates a year. He last performed in Hawai'i in December 1999. Details:

• Dec. 27: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Westin Maui Hotel. Tickets: $27 general, available at Ticket Plus locations and Maui Tacos.
• Dec. 28: 7 p.m., The Royal Hawaiian hotel's Monarch Room. Tickets: $35 reserved, $45 golden circle, available at Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400.
• Dec. 29: 7:30 p.m., Kauai Marriott. Tickets: $27 advance, at Kmart, Foodland, Larry's Music, Progressive Expressions, Hanalei Surf Company and the Kauai Marriott. 526-4400.

CONCERT: Dec. 29

Ska/punk/popsters Dance Hall Crashers, will head for Honolulu for an all-ages concert at World Cafe. 7 p.m. Dec. 29 (doors open 6 p.m.). $16.50 advance; at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), Hungry Ear Kailua, Pearl Harbor Bloch Arena, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, University of Hawai'i -Manoa Campus Center, Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400.

CONCERTS: Dec. 29-30

The Honolulu Symphony and the Honolulu Symphony Chorus join to herald the new year in a concert of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Also on the program will be Bach's Suite No. 3 in D Major; conversations with maestro Samuel Wong will take place an hour before each performance. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 4 p.m. Dec. 30. $15-$55, available at the box office, Ticket Plus outlets and www.Honolulu Symphony.com. 792-2000, 526-4400.

BLUES: Dec. 29

The final KIPO Blues Night of 2001 will feature gospel/blues vocalist Keahi Conjugacion and her band at Anna Bannanas, 2440 S. Beretania St. The KIPO resident blues band Jeff Said No will be the opening act. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 29. $7 general, $5 Hawai'i Public Radio members. 955-8821.

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Steve Pierson and Blues Head (Laurence Juber, Michael Murphy, bass Gerald Johnson and Gary Mallaber, all of whom have performed with or in top-notch acts including Wings, Joe Walsh, the Steve Miller Band and Bruce Springsteen) celebrate the coming year with a concert at the South Seas Village/Hawaiian Hut at the Ala Moana Hotel. Pierson and Blues Head have been hailed as a one of the hottest up-and-coming blues acts today. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 31; local band Bluzilla performs at 8:30 p.m, with the headliners beginning about 9:30 p.m. $30; $20 for members of Hawaii Blues Society, $25 for nonmembers in advance; at Cheapo music stores. 864-6529 (Hawaii Blues Society), 955-8821 (Hawai'i Public Radio). Also: Pierson and Blues Head will perform on Maui — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, $20 general (discount available for MACC members), (808) 242-7469; and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Casanova's, 1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, $15 cover charge, (808) 572-0220.

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Show biz veteran James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," is heading this way for a New Year's Eve celebration at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. Among Brown's hits are "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Living in America." 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31; doors open at 9 p.m. with an as-yet-unannounced opening act. Tickets: $150 for platinum seating, $125 for gold seating, $100 for silver seating and $85 for general seating; admission includes one cocktail, champagne, party favors; 10 percent discount for military with ID for all price levels. 949-4321.

COMING UP

• "A Prairie Home Companion," Jan. 5, Hawai'i Theatre
• Earth, Wind & Fire, Jan. 5-6, Blaisdell Arena
• The Makaha Sons, Hana Hou! Hawaiian Music Series concert, Jan. 11, Hawai'i Theatre
• Salsa 2002, concert and salsa dance showcase, Jan. 12, Hawaiian Hut at South Seas Village, Ala Moana Hotel
• Henry Kapono and Robi Kahakalau, with the Honolulu Symphony, Jan. 18-19, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "The Vagina Monologues," Jan. 22-Feb. 3, Hawai'i Theatre; Feb. 7-10, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• Verdi's "La Traviata," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 1, 3 and 5, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Strauss' "Salome," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 15, 17 and 19, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Bizet's "Carmen," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, March 1, 3, 5 and 7, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Sarah Chang & Tchaikovsky's "Winter Dreams," with the Honolulu Symphony, March 24, 26, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Keali'i Reichel, a Honolulu Symphony Pops concert, April 12-13, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Submit information for

The Great Index to Fun (TGIF) four-week guide at least 10 working days before the event. This planner appears weekly, featuring major events only; others are listed in the weekend and daily calendars.

Write: TGIF, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802, or fax 525-8055.

Schedule is subject to change.