What's Up!

Local favorite Just like Iz Israel Kamakawiwo'ole was and still is a beloved entertainer; see how kids view him in "What Does IZ World Look Like to You," a student art contest under way through Saturday at Borders statewide. One young artist will win a $1,000 Borders gift certificate (to be announced April 30).

It's not as huge as its fall big-brother, but the Hawai'i International Film Festival's Spring Film Festival, in its fifth season this year, promises to offer glimpses of new names. Specific titles are still being bandied about and yes, you can expect a mainstream film or two.

Times to be announced, April 19-25 / Dole Cannery Theatres / 528-HIFF

CONCERT: April 19

Saxophonists David Choy and Denby Dung join the University of Hawai'i Saxophone Choir, in what sounds like quite a toot: a concert exposing the myriad of saxophone styles, in an informal battle of the saxes, so to speak. Choy is a local fave who's played with just about everyone; Dung is the 2001 Miss Hawai'i. Todd Yukumoto is sax choir director; he has assembled a program that includes originals and classics of the repertoire, including Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." Tickets: $10 general, $6 students and seniors.

7:30 p.m. April 19 / Orvis Auditorium, University of Hawai'i / 956-8742

CONCERT: April 20

Choirs from the Philippines, Japan and Hawai'i take centerstage in a presentation of Mendelssohn's "Elijah," one of the most dramatic oratios ever written. The Marikan Choir of Cavite, Philippines, conducted by Patrick Frias; the Merveille Chorus Group of Osaka, Japan, conducted by Takasahi Kawahara; and the Honolulu Symphony Chorus, conducted by Timothy Carney, join the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra in a performance of the 19th-century masterpiece. Soloists will be Measha Brueggergosman, soprano; Alicia Wright, soprano; Linda Maguire, mezzo soprano; Les Ceballos, tenor; and Leslie Tennent, baritone. Tickets: $12.50, $25, $35, $45.

7:30 p.m. April 20 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, 526-4400

SECRETARY'S DAY: April 24

Here's yet another reminder to reward and salute your "right hand"on Secretary's Day, April 24, if not with flowers and the appropriate office ceremony, perhaps with a noontime outing. There are three endeavors this year: Frank DeLima ($29) at the Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom; Kapena ($25) at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel's Banyan Veranda; and The Makaha Sons with Mel Cabang, right, and Rodney Villaneuva ($30) at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel's Pacific Ballroom. You can't expect your secretary to reserve space, so start your dialing now.

• Ala Moana: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 24 / 955-4811
• Moana Surfrider: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 24 / 922-3111
• Ilikai: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 24/ 944-6372

STAGE: April 26-27, May 4-5

Kennedy Theatre director Peggy Hunt and her denizens present "Eco-Circus," an Earth Day celebration that enlightens keiki about the world's endangered species, via an array of circus acts. Think big top with fantasy animals like jump-roping kangaroos and stilt-walking gorillas. With masks, colorful costumes and choreographed movements, this is entertaining and educational, thanks to the script of Karen Yamamoto Hackler. Tickets: $10 general, $9 seniors, military, faculty; $7 youths, non-UH students; $5, UH students.

7:30 p.m. April 26-27, May 4; 2 p.m. May 5 / Kennedy Theatre /956-7655, 526-4400

MUSIC: April 27

"Kalakoa Jam," earlier envisioned as a tribute to Gabby Pahinui, has evolved into a kanikapila that Pops himself would probably have jammed in. Traditional Hawaiian acts are slated to play, interplay and sway the audience — folks like the Makaha Sons, Ho'okena, right, Ledward Ka'apana, Kahala Moon, hula stylist Nani Dudoit, and the halau of Manu Boyd and Vicky Takamine Holt. Oh, yes, and magic fingers himself, Jake Shimabukuro. KINE's Randy Hudnell emcees. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students and UH faculty, $10 keiki 12 and under.

5:30 p.m. April 27 / Andrews Amphitheatre, University of Hawai'i-Manoa / 956-6878

STAGE: April 27-28, May 3-4

Postpartum depression is the unusual theme of "The Yellow Wallpaper," a Late Night Theatre endeavor directed by Cassandra Wormser and adapted by students Jeremy Pippen and Daniel Akiyama, from an original story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It's an autobiographical tale of a woman diagnosed with hysteria after the birth of her child. Her husband, a doctor, forces her to knock off reading, writing and social interaction. Hello? No wonder she tears off the yellow wallpaper from the nursery walls. Tickets: $7 general, $6 seniors, military, faculty, non-UH students, $3 UH students.

10:30 p.m. April 27, May 3-4, 8 p.m. April 28 / Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, University of Hawai'i-Manoa / 956-7655

KIDSTUFF: April 27-28

Barney, the preschool set's favorite purple dino, brings pals Baby Bop and BJ for "Barney Beach Party." Barney's latest direct-to-video release of the same title receives its island premiere as part of the city's Sunset on the Beach event. Imagine the purple one doing "Barney's Hula Dance," "Rain, Rain Go Away" and "If I Lived Under the Sea," three of 14 songs geared to introduce tots to marine life and outdoor safety. The stars of the Public Broadcasting System's "Barney and Friends" series, will also be featured in a 20-minute sing-along session. Free.

4-9 p.m. April 27-28 / Waikiki Beach, near the Kapahulu pier / 523-2489

LEI DAY: May 1

It's not too early to reserve tickets to the Brothers Cazimero's 25th annual May Day concert. That adds up to a lot of pikake lei for Robert and 'ilima lei for Roland — and this year's falls on a Hump Day, an ideal reason to take a mid-week break to buy a lei, make a lei, wear a lei. Expect the customary guest stars and reflection about how this idea to stage a pageant to commemorate the spirit of Lei Day suddenly reached a milestone moment. Tickets: $25 reserved, $15 grass seats.

7:30 p.m. May 1 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400

CINCO DE MAYO: May 4

Rolando Sancho & Salsa Hawaii bring their sizzling Latin sounds to the 5-De Mayo Celebration at South Seas Village, Ala Moana Hotel. Los Amigos and Ballet Folkorico de Hawaii also perform in an evening of Mexican merriment. Don a serape or a sombrero, and join in the fun. So what if it's a day before Cinco de Mayo? $10 cover.

9:30 p.m. May 4 / Souths Seas Village, 410 Atkinson Drive / 342-0911, 941-5205

COMING UP:

• Duke Ellington Festival, April 26-27, Honolulu Hale
• Harmony Games, barbershop quartet singing, May 3-4, Hawai'i Theatre
• E Malama I Ke Kai Ocean Festival, May 5, Bishop Museum
• "Fully Committed," May 15-25, The ARTS at Marks Garage
• Ho'okena, May 17, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Sea Marks," a play by Gardner McKay, May 20, 21, Manoa Valley Theatre
• Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, May 21, Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki
• "Destiny," Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, May 31, June 1, 2, Hawa'i Theatre
• Filipino Fiesta and Parade, Kapi'olani Park, June 15
• Ka Leo Hano, June 30, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-19 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, July 20-21 at Outrigger Wailea Resort, Maui
• BayFest, Aug. 16-18, Marine Corps Base Hawaii

BUZZING ABOUT:

• Ahoy, there: Take mom on a Mother's Day Champagne Brunch Cruise aboard the Star of Honolulu; the boat departs at 10 a.m. May 12 from Aloha Tower Marketplace, and cruises off Waikiki and Kahala; $37.60 general, $18.78 children; discounts for kama'aina and military. 983-STAR.
• Two for the show: When Tim Bostock Productions launches the Hawai'i premiere of Becky Mode's hilarious off-Broadway hit "Fully Committed," at 8 p.m. May 15-25 at The ARTS at Marks Garage, two actors will alternate in the one-man show: Andrew Meader, 26, and Greg Howell, 52. A dinner package will include a 6:30 p.m. meal at Indigo, then dessert after the 90-minute performance; great gimmick. $50, dinner-show; $15, show only. 521-9699.
• And now, the end is near: Randy Smith's evening of Frank Sinatra music, envisioned as a two-week experiment, will wind up a six-month run tomorrow at the Esprit Lounge of the Sheraton Waikiki. But Ol' Blue Eye fans needn't worry; Smith returns May 24, in a revamped show, again written by director Jack Cione. Shoo-be-do-be-do! 922-4422.

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.