What's up!

Local favorite Head for the Capitol District "A Capital Day Down Capitol Way" May 17 welcomes the public to museums and historic sites for free. Among the venues participating are the Hawai'i State Art Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu Hale, the state Capitol, 'Iolani Palace, Mission Houses Museum and Washington Place. Hours vary, depending on the site.

See what spring has sprung as The Garden Club of Honolulu presents "The Academy in Bloom," a flower and horticulture show dedicated to the Honolulu Academy of Arts and retired president and director George Ellis. Check out what's blooming among the floral and horticultural displays, educational exhibit on Hawaiian medicinal plants, and botanical jewelry. Penny Horne, Garden Club of America judge and award-winning flower arranger, will give a lecture and slide presentation, "New School Design," at 11 a.m. April 26. Admission is free for kama'aina and children under 12, $7 for nonresidents and $4 for nonresident seniors, military and students.

• 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 25-26, 1-5 p.m. April 27 / Honolulu Academy of Arts / 532-8712

FAIR: April 25-26

Iolani School's annual family fair is right around the corner, hosting the theme "Rumble in the Jungle." Got a rumble in your tummy? Head to the array of food booths for your fill of malassadas, Okinawan noodles and Hawaiian plates. Jonesing for a treasure hunt? Explore the wilderness and search for goodies at the white elephant sale, book bazaar and silent auction. Wanna do the jungle boogie? Enjoy the island jams of B.E.T., Kapena and Sean Na'auao. Admission is free.

• Noon-10 p.m. April 25-26 / Iolani School baseball field / 943-2339

FESTIVAL: April 25-May 2

The second annual Volcano Party Festival rocks Honolulu and Maui with celebrity DJs and wild dance parties over two weekends at venues including the Hawai'i Convention Center, Grand Waikapu Resort and Waikiki Marriott Beach Resort. Headed by the Maui AIDS Foundation, the festival is an HIV/AIDS fund-raiser. Tracy Young, DJ Brett Henrichsen, DJ Julian Marsh and others make appearances. The "Aloha" kick-off event happens 6-9 p.m. April 25 at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand in Waikiki, with numerous parties to follow.

• Various times and venues / 1-877-242-4900

STAGE: April 25-May 4

Delve into a life of crime via "The Robbers," a contemporary play based on the works of 18th-century German writer Friedrich Schiller. This dark story, produced by the University of Hawai'i's Kennedy Theatre, introduces two brothers driven to extremes. One son plots to kill his father and steal his brother's fianceE. The other imitates Robin Hood and forms a robber gang to roam the forest. At 7 p.m. before the Friday and Saturday performances, UH faculty members provide insights into Schiller, his era and the play. Tickets: $12 general; $10 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff; $8 non-UH Manoa students; $3 UH Manoa students.

• 8 p.m. April 25-26, May 1-3, and 2 p.m. May 4 / Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

CONCERT: May 1

May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i, and that means it's time for flowers, hula and The Brothers Cazimero's annual May Day concert. Local favorites old and new converge for this yearly tradition, which last year was made into a DVD. This year, get ready for surprises as well as traditional moments in a night that is sure to delight all. Lawn seats are $15, reserved seats $25.

• 7:30 p.m. May 1 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400

DANCE: April 25-26

The Leeward Community College Dance Festival will once again gather dancers and choreographers for a show ranging from traditional to cutting-edge forms. Young dancers will come from the Mid-Pacific Institute School of the Arts Dance Program, Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group, Seabury Hall Dance Ensemble, LCC Dance Ensemble (right), University of Hawai'i-Manoa Dancers and Giinko Marischino. Both established and emerging choreographers will get a chance to show off their works. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at the door

• 7:30 p.m. April 25-26 / Leeward Community College Theatre / 455-0385

CONCERT: May 2-3

Get a taste of Broadway right here in the islands when "Barbershop on Broadway" (or The Phantom's Phinal Pholly) comes to town. Hear favorites from such hits as "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls," "Mame," "Annie" and "The Music Man" performed by Tropichords, Diamond Head Theatre's Shooting Stars, Revival and The Sounds of Aloha Chorus. Come early, at 7 p.m., and relax to the melodies by John McCreary on the Robert Morton theater organ. Tickets are $12 upper balcony, $18 balcony and $25 orchestra and loge, with a $5 discount for students, seniors and military.

• 7:33 p.m. May 2-3 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

COMEDY: May 3

Laughter is the best medicine, so get giggling to cure those ills! "Make Me Laugh," a comedy relief concert, will cure those stresses and relieve any worries with a laugh-a-minute roster of local comics Mel Cabang, Bo Irvine, Da Braddahs (left), Bula'ia and Jaz Kaner. Hosts Jeff Kino and Pipi from KCCN FM 100 add to the funnies. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

• 9 p.m. May 3 / Hawaiian Hut / 735-0292, ext. 206

CONCERT: May 5

They've been on Conan O'Brien, Craig Kilborn and all over MTV. They've toured with Blink-182, Offspring and Social Distortion. And now this Canadian-based pop-punk band is headed for Hawai'i to rock some sense into the Islands. Sum 41 burst onto the music scene a few years back and is already ruling the airwaves with such hits as "Fat Lip," "Motivation" and "In Too Deep." Their newest CD, "Does This Look Infected?" became an instant success. Now's your chance to get infected with their brash punk-metal sound live. Tickets to this all-ages show: $20.

• 7 p.m. May 5 / Pipeline Cafe / 526-4400

FESTIVAL: May 10

Mabuhay! It's time for the annual Filipino Fiesta and Parade, themed "Kaibigan Tayo — We are All Friends." The celebration begins with a parade at 9 a.m. through Waikiki and continues throughout the day at Kapi'olani Park. Get friendly with the entertainment, games and cultural exhibits. Of course there will be lots of shopping opportunities and tasty munchies on site to provide fun for all. Free.

• 9 a.m. May 10 / Kapi'olani Park / 548-0335

EXPO: May 10-11

Calling all animal lovers! Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, fish or Micropet, come on down to the Hawaii Pet Expo 2003 to see the latest in pet products, check out the live animal demonstrations and browse through the educational displays. Pets are welcome, but dogs must be leashed and pets must be under their owner's control at all times. Free, but nonperishable food donations for the Hawaii Foodbank will be accepted.

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 10-11 / Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall / 845-1762

CONCERT: May 17

Grammy- and Oscar-nominated Stephen Bishop makes his way to O'ahu for an evening of pop music. The clarinetist-turned-acoustic-guitar-player is known for his hits "On and On," "Save it for a Rainy Day" and "It Might Be You." His songs have been sung by artists including Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand and Eric Clapton. Also on the bill that night will be local 'ukulele wonder Jake Shimabukuro. TIckets: $20 advance, $25 at the door.

• 7:30 p.m. May 17 / Honolulu Academy of Arts, Doris Duke at the Academy / 532-8700

COMING UP:

• Karaoke Challenge, April 26, McKinley High School
• Kids Day 2003, a Honolulu Advertiser benefit for Parents and Children Together, May 6, throughout Honolulu
• "The Music Man," May 8-24, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Mother's Day concert, with Ho'okena, May 11, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom
• Uluwehi Guerrero, May 16, Hawai'i Theatre
• Pianist Andre Watts, May 20, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• 50 Cent and Fabolous, May 27, Blaisdell Arena
• Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, May 28, Sheraton Waikiki
• Maui Film Festival, June 1-15, Wailea
• King Kamehameha floral parade, June 7, downtown to Waikiki
• "Giselle" ballet, by Ballet Hawaii, June 27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-20 on O'ahu, July 25-26 on Maui

BUZZING ABOUT:

A Stitch in time: The anticipated direct-to-DVD-and-video release of the "Lilo & Stitch" sequel, simply titled "Stitch," will be released Aug. 26. But Experiment 626 (his number, remember?), isn't the sole alien troublemaker — there are 625 before him, including 221, who causes power surges.

All that jazz: Because of its success at Kapono's last year, the 2003 Hawaiian Jazz Blow Out will return to the Aloha Tower Marketplace venue May 3 and 4, with musicians and vocalists jamming from two stages, the Pier Stage and the Cameo Stage. A jazz brunch serenade unfolds at 11 a.m. May 4.

Moon beams: The Aston Hawaii Full Moon concert, 6:30-9 p.m. today at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand, offers yet another chance for Islanders to catch "American Idol" contestant Jordan Segundo. Kapena, Lanai and Augie T and Keahiwai also perform.

Lu'au and kaukau: Who better than Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom to perform at the Hawaiian Island Chefs Second Annual Lu'au, 6:30 p.m. June 7 at the Hawai'i Prince Hotel's Mauna Kea Ballroom? Chefs will provide the kaukau and there will be hula, too, by the keiki of Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa 'Olapa Kahiko. Tickets are $75.

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.