What's Up!

January film premieres Jan. 1: "Antwone Fisher" Jan. 10: "Just Married," "The Quiet American" Jan. 17: "A Guy Thing," "National Security," "The Sin Eater" Jan. 24: "Darkness Falls," "A View from the Top" Jan. 31: "Biker Boyz," "Deliver Us from Eva," "Final Destination 2," "The Guru," "I'll Be There," "The Recruit"

Korea-born Cellist Han-Na Chang, left, joins the Honolulu Symphony in a pair of concerts that will also feature traditional Korean folk instruments — one of many events that celebrate the Korean centennial in Hawai'i. Samuel Wong will conduct the Jan. 3 and 5 concerts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The internationally renowned Chang, who last appeared with the orchestra in November 2000, will perform Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, op. 85. Tickets: $15-$57.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 3, 4 p.m. Jan. 5 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000

COMEDY: Jan. 4

Funny guys Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, veterans of the long-gone-but-much-beloved "Carol Burnett Show," offer a night of laughs Jan. 4 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Their traveling funfest, titled "Together Again," showcases sketches and standup routines and has won rave reviews. Tickets: $50, $55, at the box office at Ticket Plus outlets. The two also perform on Maui — 5 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater; $35, $45, $55; (808) 242-7469.

• 8:30 p.m. Jan. 4 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 526-4400

KIKAIDAMANIA: Jan. 5, 12

Can we ever get enough of Japanese superhero Kikaida and his cast of characters? The answer is a resounding "no!" To celebrate the Dec. 31 release of the second DVD volume of the "Kikaida" television show, Kikaida, Kikaida 01, new characters Bijinda and Waruda and actor Ban Daisuke (the original Jiro) will greet fans at Shirokiya, Ala Moana Center, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 5. You can pose for photos with them, too, for a fee. Admission is free.

The mania continues Jan. 12 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, at the New Year Festival. Kikaida and Kikaida 01 go up against Hakaida in two stage appearances, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Other Kikaida-related events: a silent auction of collectibles, autographs with Ban Daisuke and photos with the costumed characters. Admission is free.

• Information: 836-0361.

STAGE: Jan. 9-Feb. 9

"A Little Bit Like You," below, a comic drama by Darrell Lum, premieres Jan. 8 at Kumu Kahua Theatre. It offers a little bit of everything — dreams, ghosts, conflicts, memories, love and familial bonds — and it's about four generations of a Japanese-Chinese family, whose current members begin hearing and seeing a late great-grandmother. Spooky fun? Dann Seki directs a cast that includes Florence Chang, Scot Izuka, Roddy Kwock, Alissa Joy Lee, Lisa T.K.O. Lum, Marya A. Takamori-Prickett and Kathy Hunter. Tickets: $5-$16.

Previewing 8 p.m. Jan. 8, repeating 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Jan. 9-Feb. 8; 2 p.m. Jan. 12, 19 and Feb. 2, 9 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / 536-4441

CONCERT: Jan. 10

The acclaimed Tak‡cs Quartet, left, will perform works of Mozart, Ravel and Schubert in a concert at Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. The award-winning string quartet, formed in 1975 in Budapest and now based in Boulder, Colo., has performed in virtually every music capital and prestigious festival in the world. Tickets: $24 general, $15 students, at the UH Campus Center ticket office.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 / Orvis Auditorium / 956-6878

CONCERT: Jan. 11

You know that unmistakable voice from hits such as the Oscar-winning "Say You (Say Me)," "Three Times a Lady," "Easy," "All Night Long" and so many others. He's Lionel Richie, left, one-time lead singer of The Commodores and wildly popular solo artist who has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. He'll bring his smooth soul sounds Jan. 11 at the Blaisdell Arena. Richie's latest album, "Encore," was released in Europe and Japan and is scheduled to hit U.S. stores early next year. Tickets: $49.50, $59.50, at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 / Blaisdell Arena / 526-4400

CONCERTS: Jan. 16-18

There are blues legends and there are blues legends. This blues legend is the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall, right, who has released more than 40 albums as leader of The Bluesbreakers and who has nurtured the talents of all-stars such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Walter Trout. Mayall and The Bluesbreakers, whose last Honolulu gig was in January 2001, return for a three-island tour, accompanied by The Colin John Band:

• Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Tickets: $22, $25, $30; a portion to benefit arts education in the schools. A pau hana jam at 5:30 p.m. in the Founders Court is free. (808) 242-7469.
• Jan. 17, 8:30 p.m. at the Hawaiian Hut in Honolulu. Tickets: $35 general, $30 advance. Cocktails and pupu service available. 941-5205.
• Jan. 18, 5 p.m. at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort lu'au grounds; gate opens at 4 p.m. Tickets: $25 general, $22 advance. Food and drinks available. (808) 322-3441.

CONCERT: Jan. 24

Far out! That describes the booking, as well as the distance many will travel, for a sampling of The Makaha Sons' Hawaiiana, Jan. 24 at the Ali'i Lu'au Restaurant at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko will headline "E Luana Kakou," along with kumu hula Keith Kalanikau Awai and his Halau Kaaipuhilani and kumu Sunday Mariteragi's halau Napuananionapalionako'olu. Both kumu hula studied under the late Aunty Sally Wood Nalua'i, who was the PCC's first hula instructor when it was open from 1963 through 1980. Tickets: $10 ($8 in advance).

• 8 to 10 p.m. Jan. 24 / Ali'i Lu'au Restaurant, Polynesian Cultural Center / 293-3333

COMEDY: Jan. 30-Feb. 2

Get ready to laugh out loud and maybe catch a rising comedy star when The Second City Touring Comedy Troupe, right, makes a stop in Honolulu for four shows Jan. 30-Feb. 2. The revered Second City was founded in 1959 in Chicago and has spawned such talents as Alan Arkin, Peter Boyle, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Martin Short and so many others. The shows will include improv and some of the best sketches in Second City history. Tickets: $25 general, $20 advance, available at Gussie's and Hawaii's Natural High, 339 Saratoga Road.

And there's a show on Maui: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater; $10, $20, $25; (808) 242-7469.

• 8:15 p.m. Jan. 30-Feb. 2 (doors open 7 p.m.) / Gussie L'Amours / 836-7883, 926-3000

COMING UP:

• "Visiting Mr. Green," Jan. 8-26, Manoa Valley Theatre
• Irish pianist John O'Conor, Jan. 12, Doris Duke at the Academy
• "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Jan. 31-Feb. 16, Diamond Head Theatre
• "Eugene Onegin" opera, Jan. 31, Feb. 2, 4, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Jimmy Eat World, Feb. 7, Pipeline Cafe
• "The Magic Flute" opera, Feb. 14, 16, 18, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Dance Korea!" Feb. 14-16, 21-23, Kennedy Theatre, University of Hawai'i-Manoa
• "Godspell," Feb. 27-March 15, Richardson Theatre
• "Once on This Island," Feb. 28, March 1, 7-9, Kaimuki High School auditorium
• "La Bohéme" opera, Feb. 28, March 2, 4, 6, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Spirit of the Dance," March 11-16, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Elvis sighting: "Elvis in Hawai'i," a celebration of The King's legacy, will be held March 24-30 at several venues, including the USS Arizona, Bloch Arena, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and more; Presley fans from here and abroad are expected to attend. Information: Rock Island Cafe, 923-8033.

Toy joy: Those rubbery coil toys called Slingerzz, demonstrated by inventor Marlin at his "LUMA" shows at the Hawai'i Theatre last week, were a hot seller at intermission. "When was the last time you were able to buy a toy from the inventor?" Marlin said to the audience. Many flocked to buy 'em; they will also be available at High Performance Kite locations.

For Art's sake: "Art," a Tony Award-winning play by Rasmina Reza, receives its Honolulu premiere Feb. 5 (through March 2) under the auspices of The Actor's Group, at the Yellow Brick Theatre. Russell Motter will play Yvan, Mark Stitham will play Marc, Dave Donnelly will direct.

From Ireland: Fans of Irish dance are in for a stomping good time when "Spirit of the Dance" returns to the Hawai'i Theatre March 11-16. Other dances, including flamenco and salsa, also will be spotlighted. Tickets are $25-$45 at the box office. 528-0506. For discounts on group tickets for 20 or more, call 732-7733. The troupe also stops on Maui March 18-23. (808) 242-SHOW.

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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.