What's Up!

CONCERTS: July 4, 11, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

AT&T Wildest Show in Town, the annual series of Wednesday concerts in the Honolulu Zoo, continues July 4 with Bongo Tribe. New features include 'ukulele giveaways, special guided tours for up to 30 people each night, a kids coloring contest and a trivia contest. Gates open at 4:35 p.m. for picnicking; show starts at 6 p.m. Free, although donations will be accepted. 926-3191, 531-0101.

LU'AU/CONCERT: July 6

Food and music are on the menu at the Hawaiian Island Creations' Laumei Lu'au, 6 p.m.-1 a.m. July 6 at Blue Tropix Restaurant & Nightclub, 1700 Kapi'olani Blvd. Performers, in sets of 45 minutes each, include Toa, Polymite, Milo Shade, B.E.T., Rod Tanu and Ho'onu'a (right). $15 advance, at HIC and Tower Records locations and Blue Tropix; $20 at the door. 944-0001.

CONCERT: July 8

"Pianomania" is the title of an event that includes a concert by 270 students, presented by the Hawaii Music Teachers Association – at the Hawai'i Theatre. A silent auction also will be held before each concert. 1 and 4:30 p.m. July 8. $7. 528-0506.

CONCERT: July 8

Delirious? — yes, with a question mark — the Christian rockers from Britain, offer a concert at the Waikiki Shell with guest singer Brian Houston. 6 p.m. July 8 (doors open at 5 p.m.). $35 pool reserved, $25 terrace reserved, $25 lawn for one adult and one child; at Blaisdell box office and Ticket Plus outlets. 671-2711.

CONCERT: July 8

98 Degrees is coming for a concert, with special guests, at World Cafe. 8 p.m. July 8; doors open at 7 p.m. $35, for all ages; tickets available at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, World Cafe box office, Blaisdell box office, University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center, some Tempo Music stores, House of Music, some Foodland and Sack 'n Save stores; charge-by-phone at 526-4400 (Ticket Plus). 599-4450.

FILM: July 11

"Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within," the sci-fi feature film based on the video game and computer-created entirely in Hawai'i, is scheduled for nationwide release July 11. Here's the story: It's the year 2065 and humans must save themselves after marauding aliens threaten to destroy all living creatures on Earth. Rated PG-13. Check the web site: www.finalfantasy.com

The bumbling employees and stars of a mythical Kaua'i cable TV station come to life in "Aloha Friday," the hugely popular comedy being revived by Kumu Kahua from July 12 through Aug. 12 at Kumu's downtown theater, at 46 Merchant St. The play visits the misadventures of the staff, plus wacky programs such as "Shooting Goat With the Two Monizes" (pictured, with Rick Camilag, left, and Keith Kashiwada), "Shoot First, Go Eat Hamura's After" and "Use Up Da Milk Before He Spoil." Playwright Lee Cataluna, who also has worked in local TV news, now is a columnist for The Advertiser. $5 to $15. 536-4441.

BAYFEST: July 13-15

The annual Ocean Concepts BayFest Hawaii, offering entertainment, watersports, E.K. Fernandez rides and midway, contests, a car show and displays, takes place in and beside Hangar 101 at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Kane'ohe Bay. This year's musical headliner is the alt-rock band Sister Hazel. BayFest hours/admission fees are:

• 5 p.m.-2 a.m. July 13: $3 military/family/retired; $3.50 general (12 years and older); $1.50 children 4-11; free for kids 3 and younger.
• Noon-5 p.m. July 14 and noon-midnight July 15: $2.50 military/family/retired ($3 after 5 p.m.); $3 general; $1.50 children 4-11; free for kids 3 and younger.

Presale tickets are $6, which include one BayFest admission, three carnival rides and two Papa John's Pizza Coupons, available at any Papa John's. 254-KBAY (254-5229), www.bayfesthawaii.com

STAGE: July 13-Aug. 12

"On Dragonfly Wings," a new production by Lisa Matsumoto and Roslyn, takes the stage at Leeward Community College Theatre. The play is adapted from the award-winning children's book "Wailana the Waterbug." Opening night — July 13 — reception at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.; $50 includes pupu, drinks. Regular run: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays July 14-Aug. 12. $30 general ($25 children 12 and younger, seniors, military), $20, $10. 484-8800 or www.ohia.com

JAZZ FESTIVAL: July 19-22

Jazz, jazz and more jazz will be showcased during the annual Hawai'i International Jazz Festival, which also offers educational clinics 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at McKinley High School's auditorium for the duration of the the festival. Among the scheduled performers are The Four Freshmen, Gabe Baltazar, Jimmy Borges, Melveen Leed, Rene Paulo, Jake Shimabukuro, San Diego State University Jazz Band and Big Band, USC Jazz Band, UH Big Band and many others. 7 p.m. July 19-21 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, 4 p.m. July 22 at McKinley's auditorium. $20, $35, $40; $120 four-day pass; discounts for seniors, military, students, Foodland Maika'i members. 526-4400 (Ticket Plus), 591-2211 (Blaisdell), 941-9974 or www.hawaiijazz.com

HULA: July 21

The 24th annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, featuring 10 hula halau, demonstrations, arts and crafts, food and a great opportunity for picnicking, takes over the grounds of Moanalua Gardens. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 21. Free. 839-5334.

At 6 to 12 years old, they may be tiny dancers, but their stage presence is large. Youngsters representing 22 halau from O'ahu, Maui and Guam are slated to perform at the 26th annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula Competition at Blaisdell Arena, which is presented by the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society. Moana Kailikea, pictured, of Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala, was among last year's performers. This year's schedule:

• 6 p.m. July 26: Miss and Master Keiki Hula competition
• 6 p.m. July 27: Group-Hula Kahiko competition
• Noon July 28: Group-Hula 'Auana competition

Tickets available at the box office beginning July 14: $8.50 for arena/loges, $7.50 for upper-level general admission. 521-6905.

That annual Island-music blockbuster, the KCCN FM-100 Birthday Bash at Waikiki Shell, has expanded into a two-nighter to allow entertainers and fans alike more time to groove. The first 5,000 through the turnstiles each night receive free CDs. The lineup:

• July 27: Fiji, Na Leo Pilimehana (right), Mana'o Company, Ho'onu'a, Oshen, AZ, Ten Feet, Island Music MVPs
• July 28: Pati, Kapena, 'Ale'a, Natural Vibrations, Three Plus, Sean Na'auao, Koa'uka, Island Music MVPs

One show: $25 for pool seats, $19.50 for terrace, $18 for lawn; two shows are $32 for upper terrace, $30 for lawn (two-show tickets not available for pool seats). Tickets at the box office and at Ticket Plus locations. 526-4400.

COMEDY: July 27-28

Wickedly funny comedian-actor Tommy Davidson, an original cast member of TV's "In Living Color" and star of such films as Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" and the forthcoming "Juwanna Man," plans two concerts, joined by local funny man Andy Bumatai:

• Maui — July 27, at 7:30 p.m., at Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25, on sale at the box office. (808) 242-SHOW (7469).
• O'ahu — July 28, at 8 p.m., at the Hawai'i Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $27.50, on sale at the box office. 528-0506.

When the 6th annual AT&T Hawaii Dragon Boat Race runs from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. July 28 and 29 off Ala Moana Beach Park, it will be the first time the event will support a local charity, the Hawai'i Children's Cancer Foundation. Look for the colorful Taiwan-built, wooden boats, which are propelled by 16-paddler teams. Admission is free to the event, which includes food and craft vendors, cultural exhibits and entertainment such as FortÚ, Ellsworth Simeona, Dita Holifield, Rocky Brown, Jeff Rasmussen, Reign, Tiny Tadani, Tino and the Rhythm Klub, Honolulu the Band, Solanna, 808, Ben Vegas and Simplisity. 951-0350, 531-3526.

July film premieres:

• July 4: "Scary Movie 2," "Cats & Dogs" (left)
• July 6: "Kiss of the Dragon"
• July 11: "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within"
• July 13: "Legally Blonde," "The Score," "Made," "Bully"
• July 18: "Jurassic Park III"
• July 20: "Ghost World," "Everybody's Famous," "America's Sweethearts," "Lost and Delirious"
• July 27: "Planet of the Apes," "Wet Hot American Summer"

COMING UP

• Hawaii All-Collectors Show 2001, July 20-22, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
• 31st Annual 'Ukulele Festival, July 29, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Makaha Sons, Halau Hula Olana, and Tino and the Rhythm Klub, Aug. 4, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest, Aug. 25, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Smoky Joe's Cafe," by Manoa Valley Theatre, Sept. 5-9, 12-16, 19-23 at MVT
• "My Fair Lady," by Army Community Theatre, Sept. 6-8, 14-15, 21-22 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Aloha Festivals Downtown Ho'olaule'a, Sept. 14, downtown Honolulu
• "Jekyll & Hyde," by Diamond Head Theatre, Sept. 14-16, 20-23, 27-30 at DHT
• Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, Sept. 15, Ala Moana Park, through Waikiki, ending at Kapi'olani Park
• Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho'olaule'a, Sept. 21, along Kalakaua Avenue
• Kapena, Michael Ching and Col÷n, Oct. 31, Kapi'olani Bandstand

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.