What's Up!

Local favorite It's a sewing market Everything you need to make it yourself will be at the annual Sew, Quilt and Craft Expo and Great American Home Crafts Expo, noon-8 p.m. Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 3-4 at the Blaisdell Center. That would include sewing machines, fabrics, notions, patterns, specialty threads; and demonstrations and workshops. Admission is $6 general, free for kids 13 and younger.

The salsa scene just got a heck of a lot hotter now that salsa queen of the world Celia Cruz is heading for Maui and Honolulu with her West Coast Orchestra. The Cuba-born international recording artist is a Grammy winner with dozens of records to her credit. Tickets are $40 for the Honolulu gig; on Maui, $35 general, $30 advance, $10 children 12 and younger.

7:30 p.m. July 25 / Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater / (808) 242-7469 / 7 p.m. July 26 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom/ 941-5216, 526-4400

CONCERTS: July 26-27

Bask in the sounds of island music at the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash, a two-night affair that showcases top acts in the contemporary scene. As a bonus, the first 5,000 through the gates each night will receive a free mini FM radio that will be able to receive the broadcast of the concert as it happens (it can later receive the full range of FM radio signals, too). The July 26 lineup includes Mana'o Company, Keahiwai, Fiji, Kapena, Oshen, 'Ekolu, Koa'uka, Norm, Reign and the Island Music MVPs; July 27 brings Three Plus, Sean Na'auao, right, Natural Vibrations, Darrell Labrado, Opihi Pickers, Pati, Native Blend and the Island Music MVPs. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., "Live at Five" segment (introducing the year's most requested groups) begins at 5 p.m., the main shows starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 lawn, $19.50 terrace, $25 pool; two-day tickets are $30 lawn, $32 upper terrace.

Gates open 4:30 p.m. July 26-27 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400, 296-1003

COLLECTORS: July 26-28

Everybody collects something, or would like to. Don't you cherish that Fire King dish or that hula girl lamp? Then join the crowds and tables crowded with collectibles of all kinds at the 12th annual Hawaii All-Collectors Show at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Among the attractions: vendors from abroad, the Mainland and Hawai'i; a special display on the 50th anniversary of television in Hawai'i; special guests Bill Burgher appears as Elvis July 26, Rubber Soul as the Beatles July 27. Admission is $3.75 general, $2 for kids 7-11; free for seniors 65 and older on July 28 only.

4-9 p.m. July 26, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. July 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 28 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 941-9754, www.ukulele.com

STAGE: July 26-Aug. 4

Once upon a time there was a trilogy of really popular pidgin-style musical fairy tales that delighted young and old alike, and even theater reviewers. Now creator Lisa Matsumoto and composer Roslyn showcase highlights from the musicals — and a few surprises — in a new production, "Once Upon One Kapakahi Time," beginning July 26 at the Hawai'i Theatre. Tickets are $15-$35 ($5 discounts for theater members, seniors 62 and older, kids 12 and younger, students and military).

8 p.m. July 26-27, Aug. 2-3; 4 p.m. July 28, Aug. 3-4; 7:30 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1; noon Aug. 4 / Hawai 'i Theatre / 528-0506

THE ARTS: July 27

It happens on the last Saturday of each month: A collection of downtown art galleries welcomes the curious with a Downtown Gallery Hop, a sort of self-tour of arts and antiques. The arts spaces include The ARTS at Marks Garage (bonsai exhibit); Pacific American Art Gallery (photos of Hawai'i, and exhibit by canoe builder/cultural artist Junior Coleman); Pegge Hopper Gallery (Peggy Chun watercolors and prints); Photo Finish Hawaii (photographs); Louis Pohl Gallery (ceramic bottles, boxes, pears, plates, etc.); Ramsay Galleries; Picture City; Pitre Fine Art, and Ming's Antiques. It's free.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 27 / various downtown art galleries / 566-6644

CONCERTS: July 27, 30-31

The 'ukulele, that portable musical icon of the Islands, figures most prominently in a couple of concerts in Waikiki:

• Roy Sakuma's 32nd annual 'Ukulele Festival features emcee Danny Kaleikini, Herb Ohta Sr. (Ohta-san), Kilinahe, Ernie Cruz Jr. and others; and food booths, too. It's free. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kapi'olani Park bandstand. 732-3739.

• "Ukulele! The Legend Continues" is the title of two concerts that bring legends past, present and future, East and West, together to benefit Winners Camp, a life-skills training program for teens. Among the performers will be Ohta-san, Herb Ohta Jr., Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, Iwao Yamaguchi, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble, and James Hill. Tickets are $25, including two drinks. 8 p.m. July 30-31 (doors open at 7 p.m.), Monarch Room of The Royal Hawaiian hotel. 923-7311.

CONCERTS: Aug. 2-3

Tommy Chong, half of the once wildly popular comic duo Cheech and Chong, has claimed the attention of a new generation of fans with this role as Leo (the photo lab owner) on TV's "That '70s Show." Chong, who, by the way, hasn't shirked from drug-themed humor after all these years, brings his musical comedy act, Tommy Chong and Shelby (left) and the Family Stoned, to Honolulu for two shows Aug. 2-3 at Gussie L'Amour's. Tickets are $20 cash (extra fee if by credit card), available at Gussie's (3251 N. Nimitz Highway) and at Hawaii's Natural High (339 Saratoga Road).

9 p.m. Aug. 2-3 / Gussie L'Amour's / 926-3000, 836-7883

BALLET: Aug. 2-4

The Japanese folk tale "Momotaro the Peach Boy" is a familiar one to most Islanders. It's the story of a couple who find a magical peach floating down a stream; inside is a baby boy who is the answer to their prayers. Now Hawaii Ballet Theatre gives the tale an added dimension in "Momotaro & the Peach Girl," part of a dance concert titled "Momotaro and Other Delights," Aug. 2-4. Conceived and choreographed by Charlys Ing, the one-act ballet is about a childless woman who finds a baby girl in a magic peach and raises her to become a brave maiden, Momohana. On her way to fight a demon who steals the spirits of children, Momohana meets Momotaro, her brother. Tickets are $16 general, $12 children, military, seniors; group discounts available.

7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4 p.m. Aug. 4 / Dillingham Theatre, Punahou School / 839-1596

FESTIVAL: Aug. 3-4

The annual AT&T Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival (at left is a scene from the blessing ceremony last month) is a colorful display of team spirit as the boats race along a course off Ala Moana Beach Park. Dragon boat racing is a 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition; these boats were made in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Last year, more than 60 teams from Hawai'i and beyond participated. Also among the attractions will be food booths, crafts, entertainment and keiki activities. The boats race from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4. The festival itself is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Don't forget your sunscreen. Admission is free.

Aug. 3-4 / Ala Moana Beach Park / 951-0350

CONCERTS: Aug. 9-11

Hiroshima, the jazzy, fusiony ensemble that blends East and West sensibilities (remember the Hawaiian Electric theme from the group's "Go" album?) is heading this way for:

• A concert at the Hawai'i Theatre to benefit Hawai'i Centers for Independent Living, under the auspices of Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream Foundation. Tickets are $29.50, $39.50 and $75 (golden circle). 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9, Hawai'i Theatre. 528-0506.

• A performance at "A Taste of California," an HCIL benefit dinner/concert the next evening hosted by Yamaguchi and famed chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong. Single tickets are unavailable, and the event is nearly sold out. Table tickets for 10 are $1,500, $2,500 and $3,500. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10, Hilton Hawaiian Village. 522-5400.

• A Big Island concert, 8:30 p.m. at the outdoor Hilton Waikoloa Village's Kamehameha Court. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40, including two drinks. (808) 886-1234.

COMING UP:

• No Doubt in concert, Aug. 10, Blaisdell Arena
• Keiki Fun Fair, Aug. 10, Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children
• Keiki Fair, Aug. 10-11, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
• Made in Hawai'i Festival, Aug. 16-18, Blaisdell Center
• Bayfest, Aug. 16-18, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i
• Summertime Blues Festival, Aug. 16-18, South Seas Village at Hawaiian Hut, Palace Theater, Hilo, and Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, Kona
• "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline," Sept. 4-22, Manoa Valley Theatre
• "Oklahoma!" Sept. 5-21, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Aloha Festivals floral parade, Sept. 14, from Ala Moana Beach Park to corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues
• Lou Rawls, with the Symphony Pops, Sept. 27-28, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Hawai'i International Film Festival's Fall Film Festival, Nov. 1-10 on O'ahu, Nov. 8-10 on the Neighbor Islands
• "Nutcracker," Hawaii Ballet Theatre production, Dec. 14-15, 21-22, Leeward Community College 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.