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There's nary a hit song in "Titanic," a Tony Award-winning musical by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone. Thus, for viewers, the obvious 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, Lina Doo, Darren Server, Andy Montague and Doug Scheer. Tickets: $10-$40.
- 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, May 24-June 9 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274
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
NIGHTLIFE: May 24
Randy Smith is readying his Frank Sinatra persona and a new repertoire of songs for his re-entry, with new sidekicks Cathy Foy and John Valentine, to the Waikiki nightlife. Smith is an ex-Marine with a suave Sinatra manner; Foy is the erstwhile stage trouper and ex-Miss Hawai'i and former off-Broadway actress; Valentine is the singer-musician with Brian Robertshaw at the Sheraton's Hanohano Room (he's continuing this gig). Tickets: $20, at Sheraton dining desk.
- 7:45 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays / Esprit nightclub, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / 922-4422
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 / 682-5767
CONCERT: May 26
The recent history of SoCal punk/hardcore band AFI reminds us of an old Barry Manilow lyric. Not only did AFI make it through the rain (in this case, the late '90s rise of bubblegum pop that slaughtered many of the band's hard-thrashing peers), but eventually found themselves once again accepted (by Dreamworks Records who snatched them from indie Nitro Records last year). AFI was last here for 1999's Big Mele. Ready to take a chance again? Tickets: $12.50.
- 7 p.m. May 26 / World Cafe / 526-4400
CLASSICS: May 26, 28
Pepe Romero brings his classical Spanish guitar artistry to join the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and maestro Samuel Wong in the season's MasterWorks finale. The featured piece is Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez," about the site of the composer's honeymoon and also of the royal palaces of Aranjuez. But the composition also has a tragic side: When Rodrigo and his wife Victoria were expecting their first child, she took ill, but survived; the baby didn't. Rodrigo related this true story to his friend Romero, who continues to perform the favored piece. Tickets: $15-$55.
- 4 p.m. May 26, 7:30 p.m. May 28 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000
COMEDY: June 7
Frank DeLima resumes his "Noodle Shop Days" show at the Palace showroom, bringing along his coterie of characters such as Tita Turner and Imelda Marcos. You know the drill: song parodies, reflection, comedic barbs sometimes involving audience members ... all in the spirit of fun. Tickets: $19, includes one drink; children under 12 free with paying adult, but each child admission requires the purchase of two soft drinks.
- 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, starting June 7 / Palace Showroom, Ohana Reef Towers Hotel / 923-SHOW, 922-6408
DANCE: May 31-June 2
They've dropped the "Pear" in the company name, but Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, led by artistic director Cheryl Flaharty, is destined to remain innovative, intense and visual. So "Destiny," the latest evening-length piece in five years, should be provocative and mind-bending, dealing with the changes taking place on the planet and how forces can predict or create our future, blending elements of, yes, Iona's trademark butoh, along with modern dance. Of course, in memorable, vivid costumes. Welcome to the Age of Aquarius.
- 8 p.m. May 31, June 1; 4 p.m. June 2 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506
FAMILY FUN: June 5
Who knows if the animals or humans have more fun during "Wildest Show in Town," Honolulu Zoo's nocturnal series that launches its annual Wednesday pau hana run, with music, food and after-sunset visits with the creatures of the zoo. A slate of troupers (human variety) will perform, with Kapena leading the way June 5. Other acts to be announced. $1 donation suggested.
- Gates open 4:35 p.m., concerts 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 5-Aug. 28 / Honolulu Zoo / 732-3739
CONCERT: June 8
The Road Runner Tiny Celebration is a montage of Island musical acts featured on Tiny Tadani's "Tiny CD 2," but the appeal is far from tiny. Huge, in fact. Since Tiny plans an annual compilation CD, tapping his pals in the music biz, this show is emerging as the summer sizzler, as kind of a replacement for the Makaha Bash. Of course, only time will tell if a tradition really emerges, but a bounty of talent is on the roster: Sistah Robi Kahakalau, The Mana'o Company, Justin, Ernie Cruz Jr., Vaihi, DisGuyz, Tani Lynn Fujimoto, Soul Free, Robert and Tiera Kekaula, Sean Na'auao, Ilona Irvine, Dita Holifield featuring the City of Refuge Choir, Ellsworth Simeona, Jeff Rasmussen, 808, Kata's Bridge Boys, Believe, Namahana, Jan Brenner and Her Engaged Word of Life Dancers and the Halau of New Hope. Tickets: $20 pool, $18 terrace, $12 lawn.
- 6-9 p.m. June 8 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400
COMING UP
- 18th annual Kahikolu, honoring Maiki Aiu Lake, May 27, St. Francis School
- 13th annual Adam Baran Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, May 30-June 2, Honolulu Academy of Arts theater
- 23rd annual Pan Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawai'i, June 7-10, various venues
- "The Road Runner Tiny Celebration," June 8, Waikiki Shell
- Kamehameha Day parade, June 8, downtown to Kapi'olani Park
- Maui Film Festival, June 12-16, Wailea and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center
- 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
- "Once Upon One Kapakahi Time" trilogy, July 26-Aug. 4, Hawai'i Theatre
BUZZING ABOUT
- Details to come: Red-hot Ashanti and Ja Rule are scheduled to perform somewhere on the 50th State Fair grounds June 2. Details are sketchy so far.
- Laugh-a-thon: "Lolo No Ka Oi," set for 7:30 p.m. June 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hawaii Ballroom, looks like a madcap marathon of mirth, with young comedians (Da Braddahs, Augie T) playing alongside older ones (Mel Cabang, Booga Booga). Lanai Tabura, who does stand-up, too, skips the laugh brigade and opts to emcee. Where are Andy Bumatai, Paul Ogata and Frank DeLima, you wonder? (They were otherwise committed).
- Bon jour: The 6th French Festival of Hawaii, intended to unfold this fall, has been rescheduled for 2003.
- By George: George Winston, who helped put ki ho'alu on the map via his Dancing Cat Records, plays solo piano (well, maybe guitar, too, with coaxing), July 14 at the Hawai'i Theatre.
- Minus one: You might have noticed that Kapena now has a new face and voice in Kainoa Delo (bass), who replaces Tiva Tatofi. Kelly Boy DeLima (lead vocals, 'ukulele) and Timo Tatofi (guitar, vocals) remain, with Eddie Teo (drums), who often performs, too.
- Dates to log: The Prince Lot Hula Festival will be held from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. July 20 at Moanalua Gardens.
Wayne Harada
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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.