What's up!

December film premieres Dec. 7: "Ocean's 11" Dec. 14: "Vanilla Sky," "Not Another Teen Movie" Dec. 21: "How High," "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," "Joe Somebody," "Kate and Leopold," "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings" (left), "The Majestic" Dec. 25: "Ali," "Imposter"

Singer-guitarist Leo Kottke will make a four-concert, three-island tour in December, culminating with a performance Dec. 11 at the Hawai'i Theatre. A Windham Hill artist, Kottke now is a regular guest on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show.

Kottke's schedule:

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7: Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. $10, $18, $24. (808) 242-7469.
• 8 p.m. Dec. 8: Aloha Theatre, Kailua-Kona. $25. (808) 322-2323.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9: Palace Theatre, Hilo. $25. (808) 934-7010.
• 8 p.m. Dec. 11: Hawai'i Theatre, Honolulu. $25. 528-0506.

CONCERT: Dec. 8

"Punk on the Rock," a concert featuring Strung Out, Bouncing Souls, Swingin' Utters and Youth Brigade, will rock Pipeline Cafe. Doors open 4 p.m. Dec. 8. $16.50, at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai, Ke'eaumoku), Cheapo's (Pearl Kai, Puck's Alley), Jelly's ('Aiea). 589-1999.

CONCERTS: Dec. 8-9

The Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble welcomes the holidays with its 10th annual Candlelight Christmas Concert at St. Andrew's Cathedral. The program will include "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" by Gustav Holst, "A Hymn to the Virgin" by Benjamin Britten and favorites (some of them audience sing-alongs) that include "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The First Noel," "Ave Maria" and "Joy to the World." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4 p.m. Dec. 9. $17.50 general; $12.50 students, military, senior citizens; $35 preferred seating (which includes a reception before the Dec. 8 concert or after the Dec. 9 concert). 524-0815, ext. 245.

DANCE: Dec. 8-23

"Nutcracker" ballets will be in the spotlight all over the island. Details:

• Hawaii Ballet Theatre — 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15, 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, Leeward Community College Theatre. Charlys Ing directs a magical blend of local and Mainland dancers; "Sugar Plum Tea With Santa," after matinees; Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate after evening shows. $22 general, $17 children 12 and under, seniors and military. 839-1596.
• Hawaii State Ballet — 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 22, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16; and 2:30 and 6 p.m. Dec. 16, Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis Center for the Arts. John Landovsky directs; $22, $18 and $16 ($2 discount for seniors and children). 947-2755, 783-2747.
• Honolulu Dance Theatre — "King Kalakaua's Nutcracker," a creation of Matthew Wright, premieres 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Hawai'i Theatre, where it repeats at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. King Kalakaua and Princess Ka'iulani surface in this Christmas tribute to the people of Hawai'i, with Tchaikovsky's music intact. $5-$24; discounts for military, seniors and students. 528-0506.
• Ballet Hawaii — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21-22, 2 p.m. Dec. 23, Blaisdell Concert Hall. The biggest production, with live accompaniment from the Honolulu Symphony conducted by Stuart Chafetz, and "name" leads such as the American Ballet Theatre's Ashley Tuttle as the Sugar Plum Fairy and "Center Stage" co-star Ethan Stiefel as her Cavalier Prince, plus lots of local luminaries. Staged by Pamela Taylor-Tongg. Tickets: $35-$55; discounts for students, seniors and military; at box office or Ticket Plus outlets (526-4400); opening night post-show champagne gala with the performers, $100 includes $55 VIP seating. 988-7578.

CONCERTS: Dec. 13-15

Na Leo Pilimehana, above, and the Honolulu Symphony Pops (conducted by Matt Catingub) team up for a series of holiday concerts at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Slack-key guitarist and 'ukulele whiz Daniel Ho is on the first half of the bill. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13-15 (limited tickets available for the last show). $15, $25, $30, $40 and $55, at the symphony box office and Ticket Plus locations. 792-2000, 526-4400.

CONCERT: Dec. 15

CoCo Lee, a musical star in Asia with a dozen albums and the voice on the Oscar-nominated song "A Love Before Time" from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," gives a concert at the Waikiki Shell. Lee, who was born in Hong Kong and raised in San Francisco, fuses R&B and Taiwan pop sounds; her U.S. debut release is titled "Just No Other Way." 7 p.m. Dec. 15. $20 general, $40 and $60 reserved seats; discounts available until Nov. 30. Part of the proceeds will go to the University of Hawai'i Foundation and the September 11 Disaster Relief fund. 222-8183, www.hkchcc.org/Event.htm

BRUNCH: Dec. 16

The monthly Brunch on the Beach takes on a "Christmas for the Keiki" theme this time, among the artificial grass, big blue umbrellas, entertainment and food on Kalakaua Avenue between Ka'iulani and Lili'uokalani avenues in Waikiki. Entertainers include the Honolulu Boy Choir, Halau Hula O Hokulani and the Society of Seven Las Vegas. Brunchers are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program; drop them off at the stage. As usual, restaurants will offer food to brunch on. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 16 (scrip for food will be sold beginning at 9:30 a.m.). Admission is free. 523-CITY (2489). (And don't forget the Sunset on the Beach events each Saturday, except tomorrow, and Sunday — 4-9 p.m. — that offer a free movie each night and food sold by scrip.)

CONCERT: Dec. 16

Musical favorites Ho'okena again this year will offer Island sounds to get you in the mood for Christmas. "Home for the Holidays" is the title of a concert at the Hawai'i Theatre, featuring guest stars Nani Dudoit, singer Keali'i

Reichel, musicians Kit Ebersbach and Noel Okimoto, and the swinging Zanuck Lindsey & Ginai of Hula Joe and the Hutjumpers. 6 p.m. Dec. 16. $25-$35, at the box office. 528-0506.

STAGE: Dec. 19-30

"Slava's Snowshow," featuring the Russian clown Slava Polunin and "snow," has a 14-show run at the Hawai'i Theatre. Opening night — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, $25 all seats — is a benefit for Hawaii Foodbank. The rest of the schedule:

• Dec. 20, 21: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 22: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 23, 24: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 26: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 27, 28: 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 29: 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 30: 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and $55 general, $25 and $35 children, students, seniors, military; discount for Hawai'i Theatre members; at the box office. 528-0506; 732-7733 for group discounts.

CONCERT/FILM: Dec. 21

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. 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, on sale beginning Dec. 1; 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.

HOT DATES

• The Honolulu Advertiser Jingle Bell Run, Dec. 15, downtown
• Jay Larrin and Frank DeLima, Dec. 24, Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom
• James Brown, Dec. 31, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom
• "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
• Jacques Thibaud Trio, Jan. 12, UH-Manoa's Orvis Auditorium
• 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
• 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.