What's Up!

February film premieres Feb. 1: "Slackers" Feb. 8: "Big Fat Liar," "Collateral Damage," "Rollerball" Feb. 15: "Crossroads," "Hart's War" (above), "John Q," "Return to Neverland," "Super Troopers," "Waking Up in Reno" Feb. 22: "Dragonfly," "The New Guy," "The Queen of the Damned"

The Hawaiian Islands Winter Rhythm & Blues Mele 2002 brings the musical stylings of Debbie Davies, E.C. Scott, left, and Walter Trout, and their bands for concerts on three islands. Guitarist Davies has played with legends such as Albert Collins, Buddy Guy and others; she last performed in Honolulu in 1997. Vocalist E.C. Scott has been called "an honest to God soul singer" by recording industry legend and Atlantic Records co-founder Jerry Wexler. Trout, who came up through the ranks of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, offers scorching guitar work that has brought fame particularly in Europe (in a BBC poll, he was voted No. 6 out of 20 all-time greatest guitarists, right behind Jimmy Page).

The schedule:

• Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m., Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. $25, $28, $30; available at the box office and Connection outlets. (808) 242-SHOW (7469).
• Feb. 1, doors open at 8:15 p.m., South Seas Village/Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel. $25 advance, $28 at the door; available at Tower Video-Kapi'olani, Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Rainbow Books-University, Hungry Ear-Kailua, MWR Kunia. 941-5205.
• Feb. 2, gates open at 5 p.m., Kona Brewing Company's Brewhouse Oasis. $28 advance, $30 at the door; available at Kona Brewing Company, Mele Kai Music, Byrd's CDs-Waimea, Kipuka Smoke Shop (Hilo, Kona), MJS Music, CD Wizard, Huna Ohana (Pahoa), Kilauea General Store (Volcano). (808) 334-1133, (808) 334-2739. Cindy Combs, Dancing Cat slack-key artist, also is on the bill, from 5:30 p.m.

CONCERT: Feb. 1

Brian McKnight, the soul/R&B artist who recently was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance on "Still," will perform at the Hawaii Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki. 8 p.m. Feb. 1. $25, at Ticket Plus outlets, Blaisdell box office, and the Sheraton Waikiki dining desk; a limited number of $35 Golden Circle seats also will be available. 526-4400.

CARNIVAL: Feb. 1-2

The annual Punahou School Carnival, below, which draws thousands to its food booths, malassadas, chutney, rides, white-elephant tent, art gallery, games and live auction takes place 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2 on the school grounds. Admission is free. 944-5711.

OPERA: Feb. 1,3,5; Feb. 15,17,19; March 1,3,5,7

Grand opera gets under way in February with a season of "La Traviata" (Feb. 1,3,5), "Salome" (Feb. 15,17,19) and "Carmen" (March 1,3,5,7) at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays (and March 7 for the final "Carmen" performance). $75-$270 season tickets (through Feb. 1), $27-$95 single tickets; available at Blaisdell box office, the Hawaii Opera Theatre box office at 985 Waimanu St. and Ticket Plus outlets. 596-7858, 800-836-7372, 526-4400.

PUNK FEST: Feb. 1

Five punk bands — Lo$e Money, Potluck, Generic, The Sticklers and The Knumbskulls — join for a blowout at Pink Cadillac, 478 Ena Road in Waikiki. This will be the final concert for The Knumbskulls — two members of the band are moving to the Mainland in a month, another in the summer. The formerly defunct band Generic has regrouped for this show. 7-10 p.m. Feb. 1; doors open 6 p.m. $5. It's an all-ages show. 488-7534.

THEATRE: Feb. 1-3, 5-6

The Second Hand, an ensemble that creates programs that combine dance, comedy, audience participation and even food, and making its Hawai'i debut on the Big Island and O'ahu. The trio has performed in North America, Europe, Russia, Israel, Chile and Japan. Details:

• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, University of Hawai'i-Hilo Theatre. $16 general, $14 youths/senior citizens, $10 children 12 and younger, $5 UHH/Hawai'i Community College students with ID. (808) 974-7310.
• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and 2 p.m. Feb. 3, Leeward Community Theatre. $20 and $25 general; $20 general, $15 with discount in advance.
• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5, Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Theatre. Ticket prices to be announced.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library. Free. 956-6878

CELEBRATION: Feb. 2

The annual Night in Chinatown Festival and Parade will celebrate the year of the horse 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Feb. 2 on Maunakea Street downtown. Food and craft booths, lion dances (don't forget to budget a little cash to feed the lions for good luck!) and entertainment are part of the festivities. The parade begins at 4 p.m. at the state Capitol, to Hotel Street and ending at River Street. Admission is free. 595-6417, 623-5199.

CONCERT: Feb. 7

The Strokes, a New York band whose debut full-length release "Is This It" has rock critics raving, will perform at World Café. 8 p.m. Feb. 7. $20, available at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music, Hungry Ear, Foodland stores, University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center and military outlets. 526-4400.

CONCERT: Feb. 7, 8, 9

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, considered a top swing and jump blues band, with a repertoire that includes Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington and other greats, performs on two islands. Details:

• Feb. 7: 7 p.m., Kahilu Theatre on the Big Island. $24, $18, $12. (808) 885-6868.
• Feb. 8: 7:30 p.m., University of Hawai'i-Hilo Theatre. $20 general (available at CD Wizard), $18 youths/senior citizens, $5 UHH/Hawai'i Community College students with ID. (808) 974-7310.
• Feb. 9: 8 p.m., Leeward Community College. $22.50 general, $18 students/seniors/military. 455-0385.

CONCERT: Feb. 8

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne makes his Honolulu debut with a solo concert at World Café. Byrne was the acknowledged mastermind behind the artsy New Wave band, which was the focus of Jonathan Demme's film "Stop Making Sense" and broke up in 1989. He comes to Honolulu as part of his "Look into the Eyeball" tour, which supports his May 2001 release of the same name. 8 p.m. Feb. 8. $20, available at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music, Hungry Ear, Foodland stores, University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center and military outlets. 526-4400.

CONCERT: Feb. 9

Hip-hop specialists Jurassic 5, composed of four MCs and two DJs, heads for a concert at World Café. The Los Angeles-based group, formed in 1993, represents a forging of old- and new-school hip-hop; its debut full-length release is titled "Quality Control." 7 p.m. Feb. 9. $20; available at World Café, Cheapo Music, Tower Records, Hungry Ear and military outlets. 585-2877.

CONCERTS: Feb. 15-16

Christian recording acts True Vibe, Stacie Orrico and Nikki Leonti will give a pair of concerts with Hawai'i's own Jan Brenner at the Hawai'i Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-16. $10, $20, $29.50 and $35; available at the box office, Agape Shoppe, Showers of Blessings, Logos Bookstore and The Giving Tree. 528-0506.

CONCERT: Feb. 16

Pop diva Janet Jackson returns to Honolulu for a concert and HBO television event at Aloha Stadium. Jackson recently was named Favorite Female Artist in the pop/rock category of the American Music Awards. She also was recently nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Someone to Call My Lover"; and for Best Pop Vocal Album ("All For You"). 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. $35, $45, $65, available at Blaisdell box office, Ticket Plus outlets and the stadium box office. 526-4400. (The cable TV special — "Janet Jackson: All for You: Live in Concert from Hawai'i" — is scheduled to air Feb. 17.)

PERFORMANCE ART: Feb. 21, 22, 23

Avant-garde performance/recording artist Laurie Anderson is bringing her latest solo theater piece, "Happiness," to three islands. Details:

• Feb. 21: 7:30 p.m., Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. $20 general, $10 kids 12 and younger. (808) 242-7469.
• Feb. 22: 8 p.m., Kahilu Theatre on the Big Island. $28, $21, $14. (808) 885-6868.
• Feb. 23: 8 p.m., Leeward Community College Theatre. $40 for limited reserved seating, $35 for general seating, $25 for seniors, military and students. 455-0385.

COMING UP:

• Tony Conjugacion's "Hapa Haole Hou," a Hana Hou! Hawaiian Music Series concert, Feb. 8, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Judge Bao and the Case of Qin Xianglian," Beijing opera, Feb. 8-10, 13-17, University of Hawa'i-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre
• Isley Brothers, Feb. 9, Blaisdell Center
• Brunch on the Beach, Feb. 10, Kalakaua Avenue
• "Spring Footholds" dance concert, Feb. 20, Kennedy Theatre, University of Hawai'i-Manoa
• Chinese Festival, part of the city's Hawai'i Ethnic Heritage Series, Feb. 22, Honolulu
• Hale Honolulu Festival, March 8-10
• Glen Campbell, in a Honolulu Symphony Pops concert, March 22-23, 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
• Merrie Monarch Festival, March 31-April 6, Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium, Hilo

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.