What's Up!

January film premieres Jan. 4: "Impostor" (above), "The Royal Tenenbaums" Jan. 11: "Orange County" Jan. 18: "Black Hawk Down," "Kung Pow!: Enter the Fist," "Snow Dogs," "State Property" Jan. 25: "The Mothman Prophecies," "A Walk to Remember"

Pop legend Earth Wind & Fire, known for hits such as "Reasons," "Serpentine Fire," "After the Love Has Gone," "That's the Way of the World," "Shining Star" and others, offers two concerts at the Blaisdell Arena. It's the group's first appearance in the islands since 1988. 8 p.m. Jan. 5-6. $45 and $55, available at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400, 591-2211.

THE ARTS: Jan. 6

Visit the Honolulu Academy of Arts for free Jan. 6; it's part of the museum's 75th birthday celebration. The offer, for visitors and residents alike on the first Sunday of each month through December 2002, is in addition to the museum's continuing free admission on the first Wednesday of each month. Sunday hours are 1-5 p.m. 532-8700.

CONCERT: Jan. 11

The ever-popular Makaha Sons will be the featured artists in the second program in the "Hana Hou!" series of Hawaiian music concerts at the Hawai'i Theatre. 8 p.m. Jan 11. $30; $5 discounts for students, seniors 62 and older, Hawai'i Theatre members and military; available at the box office. 528-0506.

CONCERT: Jan. 12

The Jacques Thibaud Trio, award winner in the 1999 Bonn Chamber Music Competition, makes its Honolulu debut with a concert at Orvis Auditorium. The ensemble has performed to much acclaim throughout Europe, Japan and the Mainland United States. The program here will include selections from Mozart, Bach, Schubert, Beethoven and others; the Honolulu Symphony's Nancy Dimock will play the oboe on Mozart's Oboe Quartet in F Major, K.370. 8 p.m. Jan. 12. $24 general, $15 students, available at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center; free question-and-answer session will take place 7-7:30 p.m. 956-6878, 956-8246.

CONCERTS: Jan. 18-19

Island favorites and Na Hoku winners Henry Kapono and Robi Kahakalau offer a pair of pops concerts with the Honolulu Symphony at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18-19. $15-$55. 792-2000.

CONCERT: Jan. 23, 25, 26

Natalie Merchant, former frontwoman of 10,000 Maniacs, offers a three-island concert tour. Merchant, who has embraced socially conscious themes throughout her musical career, is touring in support of her November release, titled "Motherland." Details:

• 8 p.m. Jan. 23, Sheraton Waikiki Hawaii Ballroom. $37.50, available at the Blaisdell Center box office, Sheraton Waikiki dining desk, Foodland stores, University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center and military outlets. 526-4400.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 25, Kauai Marriott's Kauai Ballroom. $40, available at Kauai Marriott, Kmart, Larry's Music, Progressive Expressions and Foodland stores. 526-4400.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 26, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $30-$40, available at the box office. (808) 242-7469.

ON STAGE: Jan. 22-Feb. 3, Feb. 7-10

"The Vagina Monologues," a provocative play by Eve Ensler that has become a world phenomenon, will make its Island debut at the Hawai'i Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 22 through Feb. 3. $20, $30 and $35 for Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday night shows; $30, $40 and $45 for Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday and Sunday matinees; discounts are available for students, senior citizens and military personnel; discounts are also available for purchases made by Dec. 31 for shows Jan. 22-24. 528-0506 or 526-4400; group discounts, 732-7733. The play also will tour Maui: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 ($10, $25, $30, $35), 8 p.m. Feb. 8 ($10, $35, $40, $45), 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 9 ($10, $35, $40, $45), 2 p.m. Feb. 10 ($10, $35, $40, $45) and 7 p.m. Feb. 10 ($10, $25, $30, $35); available at the theater box office. (808) 242-7469.

COMING UP:

• "A Prairie Home Companion," Jan. 5, Hawai'i Theatre
• Japanese Festival, part of the city's Hawai'i Ethnic Heritage Series, Jan. 11, Honolulu Hale
• Salsa 2002, concert and dance showcase, Jan. 12, Hawaiian Hut
• Verdi's "La Traviata," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 1, 3 and 5, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• David Byrne, Feb. 8, World Cafe
• Tony Conjugacion's "Hapa Haole Hou," a Hana Hou! Hawaiian Music Series concert, Feb. 8, Hawai'i Theatre
• Janet Jackson, Feb. 16, Aloha Stadium
• Strauss' "Salome," by Hawaii Opera Theatre, Feb. 15, 17 and 19, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Chinese Festival, part of the city's Hawai'i Ethnic Heritage Series, Feb. 22, Honolulu Hale
• 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.