What's up!

November film premieres Nov. 1: "I Spy," "The Santa Clause 2" Nov. 6: "Femme Fatale" Nov. 8: "8 Mile" Nov. 15: "Half Past Dead," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" Nov. 22: "Die Another Day," "The Emperor's Club," "Friday After Next" Nov. 27: "Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights," "Extreme Ops," "Solaris," "Treasure Planet" (above)

"Walking Out the Dark," a dance piece exploring the idea of transformation and the metaphor of emerging from darkness into light, will be performed by Ronald K. Brown's Evidence ensemble at the Hawai'i Theatre. The troupe, known for its energy and dynamics, melds African dance, ballet, hip-hop and modern dance into a dizzying brew. The Evidence is in the raves it receives. Tickets: $10-$27.

• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2 p.m. Nov. 3 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Nov. 5

Dashboard Confessional, is a one-man band: singer/songwriter Christopher Carrabba, who didn't want to name his act after himself. He heads for an all-ages concert at World Cafe. A darling of the indie rock set, Dashboard made a big splash with CDs titled "The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most" and "Swiss Army Romance." Tickets: $20; at Tower Records (Kahala, Pearl Kai), Tower Video Kapi'olani, Cheapo Music (Puck's Alley, Pearl Kai), 808 Skate Kailua, ITT Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, Pearl Harbor Bloch Arena, Schofield ITR, University of Hawai'i Campus Center, World Cafe box office and Foodland stores.

• 7 p.m. Nov. 5 (doors open 6 p.m.) / World Cafe / 526-4400

MUSIC: Nov. 6

So you want the razz-ma-tazz of big-time jazz? Look no further than Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, who'll toot and strut and get the joint jumpin' Nov. 6 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. It's a Honolulu Symphony presentation, but our local orchestra sits this one out. Marsalis brings his joyous trumpeting to centerstage; you provide the applause and the hurrahs. Tickets: $25-$70.

• 8 p.m. Nov. 6 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000

CONCERTS: Nov. 7-10

The blues can't get any better than this, as the legendary B.B. King stops in the islands for a a series of concerts. King, whose latest CD is titled "Makin' Love Is Good for You," has been performing for more than 50 years. Details:

• Nov. 7: 7:30 p.m., Kaua'i Marriott Resort Grand Ballroom. Tickets: $40; limited $50 Golden Circle reserved seats available. Charge by phone: (808) 526-4400; information: (808) 245-5050.
• Nov. 8: 8 p.m., Blaisdell Arena. Tickets: $30, $40, $50. Charge by phone: 526-4400; information, 591-2211.
• Nov. 9: 7 p.m., A&B Amphitheater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets: $30, $40, $50; $55 reserved seats available. (808) 242-7469.
• Nov. 10: 8 p.m., Hilton Waikoloa Resort Grand Ballroom. Tickets: $45 ($55 at the door). (808) 886-1234.

STAGE: Nov. 8-Dec. 8

Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre will revive Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" at HPU's Windward campus. The cast features Scot Davis, Joshua Gulledge, Sylvia Hormann-Alper and Don Pomes. Tickets: $14 general, $10 seniors, military, students and HPU staff, $5 HPU students.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, Nov.8-Dec.8 (no show on Thanksgiving) / HPU's Windward campus / 375-1282

CONCERT: Nov. 8, 9

Makana, whose name means "gift," stars in his second Hawai'i Theatre concert, fueled by his new CD, "Koi Au," in which he tackles a myriad of musical styles and instruments, vocally and instrumentally. Expect surprises, with assists from Willie K, the Tau Dance Theatre with Peter Rockford Espiritu and Rachel Berman, and symphony musicians. The spectacle will prove that The Ki ho'alu Kid has grown up. Tickets: $25, $35; $65 VIP tickets available (includes signed CD and apres-show party at Indigo Eurasian Cuisine).

• 8 p.m. Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CRAFT FAIR: Nov. 9-10

Holiday shoppers intent on scoring island-made gifts, ranging from Hawaiian print pillows to Christmas ornaments, can get a jump start on the season when the Lanakila Gift Fair and Open House is held Nov. 9-10. Besides an array of gifts, there will be music and food booths. Admission is free.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 10 / Lanakila Rehabilitation Center, 1809 Bachelot St. / 531-0555

BENEFIT: Nov. 9

"Starlight & Slippahs," a Parents and Children Together benefit for the Community Teen Program at Kuhio Park Terrace, is set for Nov. 9 at La Pietra, on the slopes of Diamond Head. Aloha attire — even rubbah slippahs — would be apropos for the event, which features grinds from Auntie Pasto's, Compadres, Nick's Fishmarket, Big City Diner, Outback Steakhouse in Hawai'i Kai and Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawai'i. A silent auction also is planned. Tickets: $100 single (Red Slippah tables, $2,500; White Slippah, $1,500; Blue Slippah, $1,000).

• 5-9 p.m. Nov. 9 / La Pietra / 847-3285

STAGE: Nov. 13-Dec. 8

Two one-acts, of little cabbages and Catholic nuns, make for a dramatic mixed plate, but that's what's on the menu at The Actors Group, when Murray Schisgal's "A Need for Brussels Sprouts" is paired with Christopher Durang's "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You," at the Yellow Brick Studio. Peter Clark and Brad Powell direct. Tickets: $10.

• 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays (opening on a Wednesday), 4 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 13-Dec. 8 / Yellow Brick Studio / 591-7999

FESTIVAL: Nov. 10

Reggae and rock, combined with surfing and skateboarding, means the Van's Triple Crown Surf Fest is around the corner — and it kicks in 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 10 at Kualoa Ranch. Mainland bands (The Marleys, Pennywise, Face to Face, Long Beach Short Bus, Slightly Stoopid) will be joined by local acts (Generic, Go Jimmy Go, Ooklah the Moc and Pepper), with men and women surfers on hand for autographs, photo ops and an array of "name" surf exhibitors in a village of booths. Add food and beer, skateboarding demos, and you have the makings of an afternoon delight. Tickets: $22 in advance, $28 at the door.

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 10 / Kualoa Ranch / 52604400

CONCERT: Nov. 15

Kalapana, the contemporary Hawaiian music group, will make its first appearance in the Hawai'i Theatre's Hana Hou series Nov. 15 at the Hawai'i Theatre. The group, which features members Gaylord Holomalia, left, Malani Bilyeu, center, D.J. Pratt, right, and Kenji Sano (not pictured), has logged an impressive stable of hits, most dating back to the 1970s. Remember "Naturally," "The Hurt," "You Make It Hard," "Nightbird," "When the Morning Comes" and "Moon and Stars"? Tickets: $30.

• 8 p.m. Nov. 15 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Nov. 17

Reel Big Fish, the ska and rock band from Southern California, will perform again at World Cafe, with Go Jimmy Go opening the show. The Fish now includes Aaron Barrett, Carlos De La Garza, Tyler Jones, Scott Klopfenstein, Dan Regan, and Matt Wong. Tickets: $17.50.

• 7 p.m. Nov. 17 (doors open at 6 p.m.) / World Cafe / 526-4400

CONCERT: Nov. 17

"He Makana O Na Mele (The Gift of Music)," a fund-raiser by and for the Hawai'i Youth Symphony Association at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, will feature the Youth Symphony I directed by Henry Miyamura. The guest artist will be Maui-based Keali'i Reichel, right award-winning singer, composer, kumu hula and Hawaiiana scholar, who makes an exclusive appearance with some friends. A silent auction also is slated. Tickets: $60 (premium tables, $550-$2,000).

• 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 / Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom / 988-1338

COMING UP:

• Hawai'i International Film Festival's Fall Film Festival, Nov. 1-10 on O'ahu, Nov. 8-10 on the Neighbor Islands
• The Fixx, Nov. 3-5, Gussie L'Amour's
• Hula O Na Keiki, Nov. 8-10, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel
• "Reflections of Nature," Hawai'i Vocal Arts Ensemble concerts, Nov. 9-10, Mystical Rose Oratory, Chaminade University
• "Smokey Joe's Cafe," Nov. 14-30, Army Community Theatre
• Social Distortion, Nov. 29, World Cafe
• "The Sound of Music," Dec. 6-22, Diamond Head Theatre
• Honolulu City Lights, annual tree-lighting ceremony and Electric Light Parade, Dec. 7, City Hall
• Quiet Riot, Dec. 7-9, Gussie L'Amour's
• Gingerbread Festival, Dec. 8, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
• "Cookin'," Dec. 11-14, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Luma: Theatre of Light," Dec. 19-22, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Legend status: Richard Thompson, songwriter, singer, guitarist and music critics' fave, returns for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Doris Duke theater at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Tickets are $30 each. For more information call 532-8700.

Lolo laughter: Remember that "Lolo No Ka 'Oi" comedy concert featuring Ed Kaahea, Mel Cabang, Augie T, Lanai, and Da Braddahs? That Sheraton Waikiki gig is being released Nov. 10 on DVD in time for holiday gift-giving.

Coffee, tea, or Noland?: Brother Noland, the singer-composer-guitarist, will perform 1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Hale Halawai in Kailua-Kona, as part of the 32nd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Noland, who also authored the inspirational book "The Lessons of Aloha," has launched his own music corporation, Creative Native Inc.

Dateline Las Vegas: Billed as "Vegas' Most Wanted," the Society of Seven (Tony Ruivivar-led classic edition) opened last night at the new Centerstage showroom at the Aladdin resort and casino.

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.