What's Up!

Local favorite It's hana hou time for the Brothers Cazimero, who take the Hawai'i Theatre stage again at 8 p.m. March 8; part of the ongoing Hawaiian music series; $30 (discounts available). 528-0506.

"Come Together in the Pacific" is the theme of the 8th annual Honolulu Festival, which promotes cultural understanding between the people of Hawai'i and Japan. About 5,000 participants from Japan will offer arts and cultural events at locations throughout Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale, the convention center, Ala Moana Center and the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand, culminating in a parade from 5 p.m. March 10 along Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the bandstand. Admission to all events is free. 926-2424; 597-8100; honolulufestival.com.

STAGE: March 9, 16, 23

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth puts a hip-hop spin on Shakespeare's "Othello," with four actors and a deejay getting it on with rap, hip-hop ... and yes, The Bard's original text (albeit, edited for school and family audiences). The play's still the thing, but the street-smarts are aimed at a youthful, contemporary audience. $10, $7.50, $5. 839-9885.

BALLET: March 13

Project Ballet Theatre, a wing of the American Ballet Theatre of New York, performs at 7:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The show is part of Ballet Hawaii's 25th anniversary season, and the performers include principals from ABT. Project Ballet Theatre, a wing of the American Ballet Theatre of New York, will give a concert at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. $25-$55 at the box office (591-2211) and Ticket Plus (526-4400).

CONCERTS: March 13, 14

Crystal Gayle, whose signature hit is "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," offers a pair of concerts, one on O'ahu, one on Maui. Tickets for both are on sale.

• 8 p.m. March 14 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. $25, $30, $35, available at the box office and Ticket Plus outlets. 526-4400, 591-2211.
• 8 p.m. March 15 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; gates open at 7 p.m., pre-show festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. $25, $30, $35, available at box office. (808) 242-7469.

CAR SHOW: March 14-17

The annual First Hawaiian International Auto Show rolls into the Hawai'i Convention Center with new car models from more than 30 manufacturers. Noon-10:30 p.m. March 14-15, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. March 16, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 17. Admission is $6 general, $4 seniors and military, $3 kids 7-12, free for keiki 6 and younger. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor. 593-0031, autoshowusa.com.

STAGE: March 14

"Footloose," the foot-stomping, hand-clapping film and Broadway musical, gets its non-professional debut at 7:30 p.m., under auspices of St. Louis School, at Mamiya Theatre. Reason: Alumnus Dean Pitchford, who collaborated on the music, and wrote the screenplay and the book, gave the rights to his alma mater. He'll be home for the premiere, which will be dedicated to his late sister, Patricia Pitchford Colodner, a victim of the Sept. 11 World Trade Center terrorism. Repeats at 7:30 p.m. March 15, 2 p.m. March 16 and 17, 7:30 p.m. March 21-23 and 2 p.m. March 24. $100 for the premiere night, to support the theater endowment fund; $15 for adults, $10 for students for the rest of the run. 739-4896.

FESTIVAL: March 16

Taiko artists from Hawai'i, Japan and the Mainland will participate in the Fourth Annual Hawai'i International Taiko Festival, at 7:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Kenny Endo and the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble will drum up the Hawai'i presence, but look for Amanujaku from Tokyo and the Portland Taiko from Oregon; $29, $19, at the box office (591-2211) or Ticket Plus (526-4400). Also: Taiko workshops will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17; $15-$25. 949-2255.

CONCERT: March 19

Ozomatli, whose motley sounds fuse hip-hop with Latin and funk with salsa, returns to Hawai'i for a show at World Cafe. The Los Angeles-based band is named for the Aztec god of dance. $20 at World Cafe or Ticket Plus (526-4400).

CONCERTS: March 24, 26

Sarah Chang, violinist, joins the Honolulu Symphony, at 4 p.m. March 24 and 7:30 p.m. March 26, at Blaisdell Concert Hall. $15-$55. 792-2000

STAGE: March 22

Shari Lynn will coax the blues right outta "Mame," Diamond Head Theatre's latest musical, premiering at 8 p.m. It's the vintage but enduring Jerry Herman favorite, repeating at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, through April 7. $10-$40. 733-0274.

COMING UP

• "Men Dancing," Tau Dance Theatre, March 9-10, Hawai'i Theatre
• Project Ballet Theatre, March 13, Blaisdell Concert Hall; March 14, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• "Na Kupuna Night," March 15, Moana Surfrider Hotel
• Glen Campbell, in a Honolulu Symphony Pops concert, March 22-23, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Goldfinger, March 23, World Cafe
• Oscar Party America, March 24, Royal Hawaiian Hotel
• Wild on Water Awards, March 24, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului
• Shaolin Warriors, April 4-7, Hawai'i Theatre
• Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, April 12, Hawai'i Theatre
• Keali'i Reichel in a Honolulu Symphony Pops concert, April 12-13, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• HIFF Spring Film Festival, April 19-24, Waikiki Theatres
• "Fully Committed," May 15-25, The ARTS at Marks Garage
• Ka Leo Hano, June 30, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului

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.