What's Up!

Local favorite Celebrate with Beethoven's Ninth Many voices will be raised in jubilation at the annual performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony by the Honolulu Symphony. Maestro Samuel Wong conducts, with soloists Leah Woods Friedman, Les Ceballos, John Mount and Lorna Sterling Mount, the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and the Honolulu Brass ensemble on board.The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $28-$73, available at the box office and at Ticketmaster outlets. 792-2000, (877) 750-4400.

If you're dreaming of "A White Christmas," look no further than The Makaha Sons' annual Christmas show. 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 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/The Makaha Sons' new book and CD, plus gifts from The Makaha Sons. Tickets to the lunch 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 new book/CD, and gifts.

• 9 p.m. Dec. 20 and noon Dec. 21 / Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, Pacific Ballroom / 944-6372

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 best known for 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

COMEDY: Dec. 31

Comedian George Carlin, right, brings his sharp humor to Honolulu for a pair of concerts. Carlin, who has released more than 15 solo comedy albums — 10 of those nominated for Grammy Awards — received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Comedy Awards In 2001. Tickets: $10-$45.

• 6 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Ring in the New Year with Grammy-award winning pop star Kenny Loggins, left, known for hits such as "Whenever I Call You Friend," "Footloose" and "I'm Alright." Local songstress Loretta Ables Sayre joins up with the Steve Jones Band as the opening act. Doors open at 9 p.m., Loggins performs from 10:45 p.m. Tickets, available for pickup from Dec. 16, are $85 general seating, $110 silver seating, $160 gold seating and $195 platinum seating. Prices include pre-concert entertainment, party favors, a half-bottle of sparkling wine, one standard cocktail and tax and tip.

• Doors open 9 p.m. Dec. 31 / Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom / Reservations: 947-7877

CONCERTS: Dec. 31

David Gest brings in musical stars Gloria Gaynor and Isaac Hayes along with B.J. Thomas and Freda Payne for a "New Year's Eve Musical Spectacular." Gaynor's signature song, "I Will Survive" became the comeback mantra for those down on their luck with love, while Hayes' smooth voice has charmed women all over the world. B.J. Thomas is known for his country-pop tunes such as "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Sultry songstress Payne has also acted in musicals and movies throughout her career, even performing as host of her own TV talk show at one point. Tickets are $275 silver section, $380 gold section and $500 platinum section. All tickets include a four-course gourmet dinner with champagne and a New Year's toast with party favors.

• 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 / Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii / 739-8890

Besides the Kahala Mandarin gig, David Gest presents a New Year's Eve Gala at the Blaisdell Arena. The ever-popular boogie rockin' Doobie Brothers reunite with Michael McDonald for a concert like no other. Gloria Gaynor and Isaac Hayes join in on the fun, along with Candi Staton, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Chaka Kahn, James Ingram, Deniece Williams and Deborah Cox, below, the Clive Davis protege who has drawn comparisons to songbird Whitney Houston. Tickets are $45, $65, $85, $100, $125.

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

FESTIVAL: Jan. 3

The first-ever Kokua Festival, combining entertainment and environmental awareness, takes over Kualoa Ranch on the Windward side of the island. The day-long affair features presenter Jack Johnson, right, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, Makana, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and DJ Logic; food booths; and eco-friendly businesses. Admission is $30 presale, $35 the day of the festival, free for kids 6 and younger with accompanying adult.

• 10 a.m.-sunset / Kualoa Ranch / (877) 750-4400

COMING UP:

• Deborah Voigt, soprano, with the Honolulu Symphony, Jan. 2, 4, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• New Shanghai Circus, Jan. 2 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Jan. 4 at the Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall, Jan. 5 at the Kealakehe High School gym, Jan. 6 at Kahilu Theatre, Jan. 8 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Jan. 9-11 at the Hawai'i Theatre
• Hip-hop/Punk rock Collision, Jan. 3, Club Pauahi
• Chicago and America, Jan. 10, Blaisdell Arena
• Tony Bennett, Jan. 14 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, Jan. 16 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• The Vandals, Jan. 14, Pipeline Cafe
• "Otello," Hawaii Opera Theatre's season opener, Jan. 30, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "The Vagina Monologues," Feb. 15, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

More Strokes: Last year's rock 'n' roll darling, The Strokes, returns for a concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at Pipeline Cafe; doors open at 6 p.m. It's an all-ages show, but those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets — $20 — go on sale from 9 a.m. tomorrow at Ticketmaster outlets and the Blaisdell box office. (877) 750-4400.

Paradise found: Parrotheads should be warned that tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow for a Jimmy Buffett concert, set for 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Waikiki Shell. If you missed his acoustic set in March 2002 at Duke's at the Outrigger Waikiki, now's your chance to sip up "Margaritaville" and lap up "Cheeseburgers in Paradise." Tickets: $75 for reserved seats, $35 for general admission lawn seating; on sale at the Blaisdell box office and at Ticketmaster locations. (877) 750-4400.

Taking flight: Diamond Head Theatre has added one more performance of "Peter Pan," at 3 p.m. Dec. 27. Also new: meet-and-greet sessions with actors after all Saturday and Sunday matinees.

Guitar man: Jeff Linsky, one-time Islander who's an acclaimed guitar virtuoso, returns for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Tickets: $20 general, $15 for students, seniors and military. Call 734-0397.

Talent topper: Christina Youngs, who at 18 was the youngest contestant, won the "Al Waterson and You" Talent Search 2003 contest recently at Don Ho's Island Grill. She wins a recording contract with the Mountain Apple Company. Her performance of "Via Dolorosa" impressed judges Haumea Hebenstreit, Hoku Ho, Pauline Wilson, Ikaika Kahoano, Danny Couch, Dave Tucciarone and Don Ho.

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.