What's Up!
The Index to Fun — A four-week guide
Advertiser Staff
LOCAL FAVORITE: Piranha Room turns 2
Ocean Club's Piranha Room, where the beautiful people meet in glittery style, celebrates its second anniversary Dec. 27 with a touch of one of Las Vegas' hottest clubs. Rum Jungle Las Vegas' resident DJ will be in the house, and there's a fashion show by Bebe and other delights. Doors open at 7 p.m. No cover charge until 9 p.m.; $5 cover afterward. 531-8444.
COMEDY: Dec. 31
Comedian George Carlin 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, right, known for hits such as "Whenever I Call You Friend," "Footloose" and "I'm Alright." Local songstress Loretta Ables Sayre and the Steve Jones Band open the show. Doors open at 9 p.m., Loggins performs from 10:45 p.m. Tickets 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
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, 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
CONCERT: Jan. 7
Last year's rock 'n' roll darling, The Strokes, right, returns for another engagement — this time with sophomore album "Room On Fire" under its belt. Tickets are $20, on sale at Ticketmaster outlets and the Blaisdell box office. It's an all-ages show, but those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
7 p.m. Jan. 7; doors open 6 p.m. / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400
STAGE: Jan. 9-11
Here's another chance to catch the awesome acrobatics of the New Shanghai Circus, right, as the world-renowned troupe returns to the Islands. Watch as their agile forms twist and turn into jaw-dropping positions and perform mystifying feats. This show, "Mongolian Dreams," also includes a Mongolian strongman and the Mongolian archers, who fire arrows with their feet while hanging upside down. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 for adults; $15 and $20 for seniors, military and those 12 and younger.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 9-10 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 10-11 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506
The Shanghai troupe will also be at:
- Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theatre at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 and 2 and 7 p.m. Jan 3. Tickets are $10, $16 and $22 for adults. (808) 242-7469.
- Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Jan. 4. Tickets are $20 adults, $9.95 children 12 and younger, and $30 for Golden Circle.
- Kealakehe High School gymnasium in Kona at 7 p.m. Jan. 5. Tickets are $17.50 adults and $7.50 children 12 and younger.
- Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on the Big Island at 7 p.m. Jan. 6. Tickets are $20 general, $7.50 children 12 and younger and $30 Golden Circle. (808) 885-6868.
- Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo at 7 p.m. Jan. 8. Tickets are $17.50 general and $7.50 children 12 and younger.
CONCERT: Dec. 31
The Sheraton Waikiki Hotel ballroom will once again be all aglow on New Year's Eve for a gala featuring popular local acts. "Ho'omaka Hou 2003" features Kanilau with Halau Na Mamo O Ka'ala, The Makaha Sons with Robi Kahakalau, right, Brother Noland, Kapena with Tamali'i O Patitifa Dance Co. and the soldiers of the Royal Guard. Billy V. of FM 100 is emcee. Tickets are $225 for adults, including buffet dinner and wine, and $135 for children. Kama'aina prices are $175 for adults and $125 for children. Prices for the show only are $95 general, $65 kama'aina and $55 children.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / 931-8383
CONCERTS: Dec. 31
• David Gest brings in musical stars Gloria Gaynor and Isaac Hayes, right, 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. Tickets are $45, $65, $85, $100, $125.
10:15 p.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400
CONCERT: Jan. 10
Legendary rock bands Chicago, right, and America come together for one special night in Honolulu. Chicago's timeless rock songs have transcended airwaves across the nation since the 1960s, with hits such as "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "Hard Habit to Break" and "You're the Inspiration." America is best known for songs including "Horse with No Name," "Muskrat Love" and "Only in Your Heart." Tickets are $49 and $59.
8 p.m. Jan. 10 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400
Coming up ...
- Deborah Voigt, soprano, with the Honolulu Symphony, Jan. 2, 4, Blaisdell Concert Hall
- Hip-hop/Punk rock Collision, Jan. 3, Club Pauahi
- Jim Gamble and "The Wonderful World of Puppets," Jan. 10, Kennedy Theatre
- Travis Haddix, blues guitarist, Jan. 13, O'Toole's Pub
- Tony Bennett, Jan. 14 at Blaisdell Concert Hall, Jan. 16 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center
- The Vandals, Jan. 14, Pipeline Café
- "Opera, Broadway and Beyond," one-woman show starring Alison England, Jan. 17, Hawai'i Theatre
- Jimmy Buffett, Jan. 28, Waikiki Shell
- "Otello," Hawaii Opera Theatre's season opener, Jan. 30, Blaisdell Concert Hall
- "The Vagina Monologues," Feb. 15, Hawai'i Theatre
