What's Up!

Local favorite All about hymns "Na Himeni" takes a look at the history of hymns (himeni) in Hawai'i, with sing-alongs, discussions, an exhibit of hymnal books and manuscripts and more at the Mission Houses Museum, 553 S. King St. It begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 29 and is free. 531--0481, ext. 11.

The Bobby Watson Quintet, featuring the internationally acclaimed saxophonist, will perform on two Islands:

• Sept. 20 — 7 p.m., Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. $10, $25 and $40, available at the box office, (808) 242-7469.
• Sept. 22 — 6 p.m., Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu. $35, $40; $45 (reserved), at Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400.

Watson has emerged as one of the top alto saxophonists in jazz, an innovator who often tops critics' and listeners' polls. Both shows will feature opening acts; the Maui guest has yet to be named but at Kapono's, guest artists will include Ginai, Henry Kapono and emcee Kale Imua.

STAGE: Sept. 21-30

"Woman Far Walking," a drama by award-winning Maori author Witi Ihimaera of New Zealand, will tour four islands:

• Sept. 21-22, 7:30 p.m., Leeward Community College Theatre (a 10 a.m. show is for students; 455-0380). $15, $20. 455-0385.
• Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Kaua'i Community College. $12, $15. (808) 245-8270.
• Sept. 27-28, 7:30 p.m., Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $15, $18. (808) 242-7469.
• Sept. 30, 2 p.m., Palace Theatre, Hilo. $10, $15. (808) 934-7777.

STAGE: Sept. 21

Hawai'i-born actress Kati Kuroda, left, returns to Honolulu to perform "Sakura — Bandit Princess" at Mamiya Theatre. Kuroda, directed by fellow University of Hawai'i alumnae Penny Bergman, takes on nine characters in a saga, set in 11th-century Japan, about the country-raised princess-in-hiding Sakura. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. $25 general, $20 UH students, faculty, staff and children under 17; $20 and $15 in advance, available at the UH-Manoa Campus Center ticket office. 956-6878, www.outreach.hawaii.edu

Also, Kuroda will lead a free seminar — "Elements of Japanese Theatre" — at 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at Salt Lake/Moanalua Public Library.

CONCERTS: Sept. 21, 23

MTV's "Total Request Live" Tour, featuring hit-making headliners Destiny's Child, Eve and Nelly, takes over the Blaisdell Arena. Honolulu is the final stop of this first-ever TRL tour. Destiny's Child has sold more than 15 million albums and singles worldwide. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, 23. $50.50, $60.50, at the Blaisdell box office and Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400.

AWARDS CONCERT: Sept. 22

The Alliance Awards, a gala evening celebrating achievements in arts education, will honor Henry Miyamura at the Hawai'i Theatre. Miyamura, music director of the Hawai'i Youth Symphony Association, conductor of Youth Symphony I, professor of music at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and conductor of the UH Symphony Orchestra and the UH Chamber Orchestra, will receive the Alfred Preis Award for lifetime dedication to the arts. Six high schools also will be honored; featured performers will include The Brothers Cazimero, the Hawaii Youth Symphony and the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22. $35 general, $15 for Hawai'i Alliance for Arts Education members ($15 Alliance one-year memberships also offered); available at the box office. 528-0506.

STAGE: Sept. 27-30

Old Army buddies Joe Moore (anchor of KHON Channel 2 news) and Pat Sajak (host of the prime-time TV game show "Wheel of Fortune") star in "The Odd Couple" at the Hawai'i Theatre. It's a benefit for Manoa Valley Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27-29, 4 p.m. Sept. 30. $17.50, $27.50, $37 (discounts for seniors and MVT members), at the box office. Also, an opening-night post-show reception — with wine, pupu and the production's stars — costs $35. 528-0506.

LION DANCE: Oct. 4-7

The Hawaii World Invitational Lion Dance Competition and Martial Arts Festival, featuring extreme lion-dance competition (right), takes place at the Blaisdell Arena:

• Preliminary competition at 6 p.m. Oct. 4-5; $15 arena level and loges, $10 upper level.
• Finals at 4 p.m. Oct. 7; $25 and $20.

Discounts available for seniors, military, children 12 and younger and students through college level. 591-2211, 526-4400.

CONCERTS: Oct. 5-6

Christopher Cross, right, five-time Grammy winner whose hits include "Arthur's Theme: The Best That You Can Do" (winner of the Academy Award for Best Song), "Sailing" and "Ride Like the Wind," opens the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra's pops season at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5-6. $15-$55, available at the symphony ticket office at Dole Cannery, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 202. 591-2211, 792-2000.

FILM: Oct. 5-6, 13

Film enthusiasts can indulge in a smorgasbord of independent film shorts when the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase plays at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Theater. Offerings the first two days run the gamut from comedy to documentary to animation. The Oct. 13 event will feature a retrospective of works from the 1999 and 2000 showcases; panel discussions with local independent-film producers, writers, actors and directors; and an encore of this year's showcase. Admission to the showcase Oct. 5-6 is free. A film schedule, plus the fee for the Oct. 13 retrospective workshop, will be announced in coming weeks. 532-8700.

CONCERT: Oct. 13

Stephen Bishop, left, will headline the Honolulu Music Fest 2001 at the Waikiki Shell. Kimo Kahoano and Mahlon Moore will host the festival, which also features Jimmy Borges and his Jazz All-Stars, Martin Pahinui, George Kuo, Kawika Kahiapo, Jon Basebase, 3 Scoops, Frank DeLima, Simplisity, Solanna, The Sultans, Soulfree, Honolulu, and Quintinn Holi. 2-9:30 p.m. Oct. 13. $27.50-$37.50 reserved, $17.50 lawn seats, available at Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400, 833-0056.

COMING UP

• Scream Life Park, a haunted Halloween theme at Sea Life Park, Oct. 19-20, 27-28
• Princess Ka'iulani Keiki Hula Festival, Oct. 20, Sheraton Princess Ka'iulani hotel
• Keali'i Reichel, Oct. 26, Hawai'i Theatre
• Take 6, with the Honolulu Symphony, Oct. 26-27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Treat Street, a trick-or-treat Halloween event, Oct. 31, Bishop Museum
• Kapena, Michael Ching and Col÷n, Oct. 31, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" opens Nov. 16 in movie theaters
• Rosemary Clooney, with the Honolulu Symphony, Nov. 16-17, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Eroica Trio, with the Honolulu Symphony, Nov. 24-25, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Comedian Margaret Cho on tour: Nov. 29 — Kaua'i Marriott Resort in Lihu'e; Nov. 30 — Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului; Dec. 1 — Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu
• "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors," Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2, Hawai'i Theatre

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.