What's Up!

Local favorite Fancy that The historic Mission Houses Museum will host the 29th annual Fancy Fair, 9 a.m-4 p.m. June 8 and 9. Among the creations will be koa woodwork, beaded items, clay lei and flowers, collectibles, fabrics and baskets. And there's entertainment and food, too. Admission is free. 531-0481.

Ho'okena, the contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music fivesome, has been everywhere lately, so it's no surprise that its Hana Hou slot in the Hawai'i Theatre's Hawaiiana series is around the corner again. Expect lush harmonies, luscious hula by Nani Dudoit and lavish production concepts — the group has learned well from mentors such as The Brothers Cazimero. Should be a few surprises; Keali'i Reichel was an unannounced guest at the Christmas edition. But will Manu Boyd hula, too? And will Horace Dudoit have a new coif hours before curtain, like the last Hawai'i Theatre gig? Tickets: $30.

• 8 p.m. May 17 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: May 17-18

Blues brother guitarist Steve Freund returns to O'ahu for a pair of concerts, at Hale'iwa Joe's ($10 at the door) and at Anna Bannana's ($15 at the door, $10 advance), so country folk and city folk can pick their own venue. His 2001 release, "I'll Be Your Mule," will likely be the focus; if he's anything like his last gig here (at the Academy of Arts theater, where he really wailed), you're in for a treat. He's influenced by Sunnyland Slim, Otis Rush, Peter Green (of Fleetwood Mac) and Freddie King, so his blues are pure and mighty. Our homegrown Third Degree opens up the Honolulu show.

• 10 p.m. May 17 /Hale'iwa Joe's / 637-8005
• 9 p.m. May 18 /Anna Bannana's / 946-5190

MUSIC: May 18

To mark Armed Forces Day, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and ATT-Hawaii will present a red-white-and-blue evening of combined bands and singers from the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force bands. The fare will run from patriotic to contemporary to Broadway — hand-clappers and toe-tappers, for sure. Come salute those who serve Uncle Sam and thank them for protecting our freedom. Free.

• 7 p.m. May 18 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0505

STAGE: May 20-21

"Sea Marks," a play by the late Gardner McKay, will be staged in a two-night run at Manoa Valley Theatre. Peter Clark and Annie MacLachlan co-star, with Joyce Maltby directing, in the tale of a fisherman on a remote island west of Ireland and the woman he falls in love with after one meeting. The play has been heralded for its language, passion and, yes, even humor. Tickets: $15.

• 7:30 p.m. May 20, 21 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 732-1147, 988-6131

AWARDS EVENT: May 21

Hawai'i's best in the recording world will put on their Sunday best (even if it's a Tuesday) for the 25th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards evening, from 4:30 p.m. May 21 at the Hawaii Ballroom of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The leading contenders are Sean Na'auao, The Mana'o Company, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Keahiwai. Stay tuned. No-host cocktails from 4:30 p.m., technical awards and dinner from 5:30 p.m., show and awards from 7:30 p.m. with KFVE providing live TV coverage. Tickets $95 general, $80 for HARA members.

• 7:30 p.m. May 21 / Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / 235-9424

FAIR: May 24-June 16

The 50th State Fair — complete with a midway of E.K. Fernandez rides, games and food booths — opens a four-weekend run May 24 at the Aloha Stadium parking lot. It's the summery thing to do — indulge in cotton candy, ride the Ferris wheel, try to get that dime to land on that glass plate. Repeats May 26-27, May 31-June 2, June 7-9, June 14-16. Hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and June 13; noon-midnight Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day. Admission: $3 general, $2 kids 4-11, free for keiki 3 and younger. Admission June 13: $8 for those 12 and older, $5 for 4-11, free for 3 and younger.

• May 24-June 16/ Aloha Stadium parking lot / 486-9300

CONCERT: May 24

The Wayne Brady bunch of characters revisit Hawai'i as the ABC-TV fave ("The Wayne Brady Show," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") returns for two gigs, one in Honolulu, another on Maui. Wayne's whirl includes acting bits, songs, outrageous stories. Honolulu tickets, $35; Maui tickets, $35, $40, $45.

• 7:30 p.m. May 24 / Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki / 526-4400
• 7:30 p.m. May 25 /Castle Theatre, Maui Arts & Cultural Center / (808) 242-SHOW

STAGE: May 24-June 9

The hit songs are scarce, indeed, in "Titanic," a Tony Award-winning musical by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone. The curious question is, how will they make the ship tilt and sink at Diamond Head Theatre? You know the Titanic's dubious place in history, and you've seen the Oscar-winning movie (don't expect to hear "My Heart Will Go On," that's a whole 'nother story) , so you know how the tale ends. FYI, this musical arrives on the 90th anniversary of the "unsinkable" boat's sinking; local notables aboard include Kanoa Goo, Cori Vas, Howard Bishop, Mary Chesnut, Linda Doo, Darren Server, Andy Montague and Doug Sheer. Tickets: $10 to $40.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, May 14-June 9 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

SPECIAL OLYMPICS: May 31, June 1-2

The Special Olympics Hawai'i 2002 Summer Games, an inspirational and rewarding experience for participants and spectators, will be held at the University of Hawai'i and Kamehameha Schools, with athletes and coaches housed at both venues. The opening ceremonies will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 31 at Les Murakami Stadium; competition in track and field, swimming, powerlifting, and softball continue at both sites.

• Times vary May 31, June 1-2 / University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Kamehameha Schools / 943-8808

FAMILY FUN: June 5

Who knows if the animals or humans have more fun during "Wildest Show in Town," Honolulu Zoo's nocturnal event that launches its annual Wednesday pau hana run. There's music, food and after-sunset visits with the creatures of the zoo. A slate of troupers (human variety) will perform, too, with details to be announced.

• Wednesday evenings, June 5-Aug. 28 / Honolulu Zoo / 732-3739

COMING UP:

• AFI, May 26, World Cafe
• Pepe Romero, with the Honolulu Symphony, May 26, 28, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Destiny," Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, May 31, June 1, 2, Hawai'i Theatre
• Kamehameha Day parade, June 8, downtown to Kapi'olani Park
• "The Road Runner Tiny Celebration," June 8, Waikiki Shell
• 23rd annual Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawai'i, June 7-10, various venues
• Kamehameha Day parade, June 8, downtown to Kapi'olani Park
• Filipino Fiesta and Parade, Kapi'olani Park, June 15
• 29th annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition, June 21-22, Blaisdell Arena
• "Taste of Honolulu," June 28-29, Honolulu Hale grounds
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-19 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, July 20-21 at Outrigger Wailea Resort, Maui
• Melissa Etheridge, July 19, Blaisdell Arena
• BayFest, Aug. 16-18, Marine Corps Base Hawaii

BUZZING ABOUT:

• Last laughs: Frank DeLima & Na Kolohe are on vacation this month; laughter resumes June 7 at the Palace showroom in the Ohana Reef Towers Hotel.
• Maui wowie: The 3rd Maui Film Festival, slated June 12-16 at Wailea and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, has a string of hot flicks: "Tadpole," with Sigourney Weaver; "The Good Girl," with Jennifer Aniston; Martin Scorcese's documentary, "My Voyage to Italy"; and the Director's Cut of "Cinema Paradiso." Call (808) 579-9244.
• Dates to log: The Hawai'i International Film Festival's fall festival will be held Nov. 1-10 on O'ahu and Nov. 8-10 on the Neighbor Islands.
• Babes in poiland: Look for a baby crawling contest and Hawai'i's largest baby shower when the New Baby Expo 2002 is held May 18-19 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. And arf! Clifford the Big Red Dog makes an appearance, too.

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.