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Local favorite Makaha Sons Christmas show If you're dreaming of "A White Christmas," look no further than The Makaha Sons' annual Christmas show at the Pacific Ballroom of the Renaissance Ilikai Hotel. Special guests this year include Keali'i Reichel, Natalie Kamauu and Chinky Mahoe and Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula. Rodney Villanueva emcees. Tickets for the 9 p.m. cocktail show Dec. 20 are $25 general, including tax, tip and standard drink, or $65 for Golden Circle, including reserved seating, one drink, Sam Choy's and The Makaha Sons' new book and CD, plus gifts from The Makaha Sons. Tickets to the noon buffet and show Dec. 21 are $45 general or $22.50 for children ages 3-10. Admission is $85 for Golden Circle, which includes the buffet, reserved seating, the Choy/Sons new book and CD, and gifts. 944-6372.

The Honolulu Symphony gets into the holiday spirit with three Christmas shows as part of the Hawaiian Airlines Pops series. The ever-popular Brothers Cazimero join the sweet ladies of Na Leo Pilimehana, left, as maestro Matt Catingub conducts this stellar lineup. Tickets: $20, $30, $40, $50 and $65.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 4 p.m. Dec. 14 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

DANCE: Debuting Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20

You know Christmas is near when the "Nutcracker" pops up around town. Several dance companies bring back the popular production as the holiday season gets into full swing:

Hawaii State Ballet's run will take place over two weekends at Mamiya Theatre on the Saint Louis School campus. Tickets are $16, $18 and $22 for adults, with a $2 discount for seniors and children 12 and younger.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 19-20, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 20-21, and 6 p.m. Dec. 14 / Mamiya Theatre / 947-2755

Hawaii Ballet Theatre's production takes a bow beginning Dec. 13. Tickets are $23 general, $19 military/seniors/children, $12 students for evening shows.

• 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 20; 4 p.m. Dec. 14, 21/ Leeward Community College Theatre /839-1596

Ballet Hawaii performs for three nights with the Honolulu Symphony. Guest artists include the American Ballet Theatre's Xiomara Reyes as the Sugar Plum Fairy and New York City Ballet's Joaquin De Luz as the prince. Tickets are $25, $40 and $55.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 521-8600, (877) 750-4400

  Also: On opening night, there will be a pre-performance dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $125, which includes VIP reserved parking, VIP seating at the ballet and a backstage post-performance wine bar. 395-7216.

Honolulu Dance Theatre brings to life King Kalakaua's Nutcracker Ballet for the holiday season. Step back into time during this Christmas tribute to the people and islands of Hawai'i that features King Kalakaua, Princess Ka'iulani and other historical figures. Tickets are $24, $20 and $16 for adults, with a $4 discount for seniors, students, children and military.

• 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Dec. 13-14

Willie K and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom reunite after four years apart in a concert presented by Tim Bostock Productions. Enjoy the catchy sounds of both old and new favorites when the duo comes together again, such as the "Hale'iwa Hula" and "Katchi Katchi Music Makawao." Tickets: $30 for loge and orchestra seats or $18 for balcony.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Dec. 13

Who wants to get punked? Here's your chance when the fourth annual Punk on a Rock concert brings in a range of hard-hitting bands. The concert features ska-punk Detroit natives The Suicide Machines, punk pop from Southern California with Strung Out, alternative punk from California with No Motiv and rockers Stereotyperider. Doors open at 4 p.m. for this all-ages mosh pit in the making. Tickets: $17.50.

• 5 p.m. Dec. 13 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Dec. 16

The artist formerly scheduled for Pipeline Café returns instead for a gig at the Blaisdell. Prince, right, who was originally slated for an Oct. 30 performance on O'ahu, has pushed back his performance date to present his legendary hits in person. So it's time to don your raspberry berets and party like it's 1999! Tickets are $50, $70 and $80.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 16 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

Also: Prince rescheduled his Maui gig as well to perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Tickets are $50, $65 and $75. (808) 242-7469.

CONCERT: Dec. 17

Bob Marley's eldest son, Ziggy, is headed for Hawai'i for a series of concerts — minus the Melodymakers. Fresh from recently releasing his first solo album, "Dragonfly," Marley's reggae tunes inspire reflective moods and mellow grooves. Tickets: $30.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 17 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

Also: Marley will be at Maui Arts & Cultural Center Dec. 14 and Kukui Pavilion on Kaua'i Dec. 16. Tickets for Neighbor Island shows are $25 each.

COMEDY: Dec. 20

Celebrity watchers, maybe you'll be lucky enough to spot actor/comic Jerry Seinfeld, left, who'll be heading this way for a concert. And if you were really lucky, you scored tickets to the show, which is sold out. Seinfeld, of course, is known for his quick-witted observational humor and the NBC TV sitcom "Seinfeld," which ended a hugely successful run a few years ago. Like we said: The performance is already sold out.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 20 / Waikiki Shell

CONCERT: Dec. 31

It's a New Year's Eve concert with many musical tastes in mind: David Gest presents The Doobie Brothers, reuniting with Michael McDonald, right; soul man Isaac Hayes; disco diva Gloria "I Will Survive" Gaynor; Atlanta songstress Candi Staton; and Motown icons Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. Another just-added special guest is James Ingram, who will perform the hit "Yah Mo B There" with McDonald. Tickets: $45-$125.

• 10:15 p.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

COMING UP:

• "Hawaiian Holiday of Stars Concert," with Melveen Leed, Bill Kaiwa, Marlene Sai, Jimmy Borges, Genoa Keawe and Karen Keawehawai'i, Dec. 12, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom
• "Candlelight Christmas Concert," Dec. 13-14, St. Andrew's Cathedral
• George Carlin, Dec. 31, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Kenny Loggins, Dec. 31, Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom
• Kokua Festival, featuring Jack Johnson, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Willie K and others, Jan. 3, Kualoa Ranch
• Chicago and America, Jan. 10, Blaisdell Arena
• Tony Bennett, Jan. 14 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, Jan. 16 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• "Otello," Hawaii Opera Theatre's season opener, Jan. 30, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "The Vagina Monologues," Feb. 15, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

East meets West: Hiroshima, the popular Asian fusion/world music band, is heading this way for a series of concerts very soon. The schedule:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 11, Kahilu Theatre, Waimea. Tickets: $30, $35, $40.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $10, $18, $28.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Kaua'i Community College. $20, $35.
• 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Kapono's, Aloha Tower Marketplace, with guest artist Kenny Endo. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., Taiko Center of the Pacific performance at 5 p.m. For 21 and older. $25 general, $35 reserved section. 536-2161.

Another invasion: Veteran punk band The Vandals returns to Honolulu for a concert. The band, last here in 2001, performs at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Pipeline Cafe. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the all-ages show (those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets — $17.50 — go on sale from 9 a.m. tomorrow at Tickemaster outlets and the Blaisdell box office. (877) 750-4400.

Surf's up: Fusion rock band Fishbone rides this way to headline the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Xbox Pipeline Masters Party, 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Dec. 12 at Volcanoes Nightclub. Hawai'i's own Go Jimmy Go and Pohaku are also on the bill. Tickets are $20 at the door; for 18 and older. 528-7071.

In memoriam: When the Hawai'i Opera Theatre presents its 2004 production of Verdi's "Otello," starting Jan. 30 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, it will be dedicated to the late Robert LaMarchina, former Honolulu Symphony Orchestra maestro, who died Sept. 30. Henry G. Akina, HOT general and artistic director, worked on his first HOT production with La Marchina and credits him with opening his eyes to opera.

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.

E-mail: tgif@honoluluadvertiser.com

Schedule is subject to change.