What's up!

Local favorite Celebrating the grape "Hawai'i Uncorked: A Celebration of Wines" will be a wine aficionado's delight, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 9 at the Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. A Hawai'i Public Radio benefit, the event is subtitled "The Best of Both Worlds: Old Wines and New"; sippers can sample more than 200 wines. Yums! Tickets: $75, with a $65 ticket available to HPR members or others buying with an American Express card. 955-8821.

"Hands Up!" the new monthly party at The Hawaiian Hut, returns Feb. 28 with reggae favorite Eek-A-Mouse, right, as special guest. Local band Quadraphonix makes a return trip, too, and so do DJs 45 and Mr. Inc. Tickets: $20, at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center, Hawaiian Island Creations and Blue Planet Surf Shop. For 18 and older, please.

• 9 p.m. Feb. 28 / Hawaiian Hut / www.mattyliu.co

PLAY READING: March 3

"Lysistrata," the anti-war Greek comedy by Aristophanes, will be featured in a "Lysistrata Project" play reading session, March 3 at The ARTS at Marks Garage. Joyce Maltby of Hawai'i Pacific University conducts; Eden Lee Murray has the title role. Tickets: $15 at the door.

• 7 p.m. March 3 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / 391-7300

STAGE: March 5-23

The buzz at Manoa Valley Theatre is all about "Beehive," right, a musical revue by Larry Gallagher, premiering March 5. It's that kind of ensemble piece, with nostalgic vibes, that MVT does so well, involving five women wailers, a six-piece band, 50 outrageous period costumes and wigs, and five cans of hairspray a week to keep the beehive 'dos aloft. Well, it ain't "Hairspray," but perhaps a second cousin, with loads of familiar tunes: "My Boyfriend's Back," "Downtown," "Respect." Tickets: $30.

• Premieres at 7:30 p.m. March 5, repeats at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through March 23 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

COMEDY: March 5, 12, 19, 26

Andy Bumatai and Augie T, representing two generations of comedy, will make Humpday (Wednesday) fun at Brew Moon at Ward Centre, when they take the limelight every Wednesday in March, from 9:30 p.m. Yep, they're also continuing their Friday-Saturday gig (8 p.m.) in Don Ho's Hoku Hale Showroom at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. There is a cover charge.

• 9:30 p.m. March 5, 12, 19, 26 / Brew Moon / 593-0088

CONCERT: March 7

The Brothers Cazimero — Robert on stand-up bass and Roland at his sit-down guitar perch — return to the Hana Hou slot March 7 at the Hawai'i Theatre. Simply put, this means that Hawaiiana will rule, both in traditional and contemporary realms. Leina'ala Kalama Heine adds the hula dimension. Tickets: $30.

• 8 p.m. March 7 / Hawai'i Theatre/ 528-0506

CONCERT: March 8

Martin Nievera, the concert king of the Philippines, and Regine Velasquez, a Filipina songbird, team up for a night of romantic entertainment March 8 at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Nievera, a one-time Hawai'i resident, has been a Philippines superstar for years — a recording act, concert favorite, movie star, television host. With Velazquez alongside, he should have a whiz-bang homecoming. Tickets: $100 (includes pre-show reception), other ticket prices, $35, $55, $75.

• 7:30 p.m. March 8 / Hawai'i Convention Center / 843-8808

CONCERT: March 8

The Get Up Kids, left, a band hailing from Kansas City, Mo., brings its pop-punk/indie/emo sound to an all-ages concert at Pipeline Café March 8. The band's latest release is 2002's "On a Wire"; check it all out at www.thegetupkids.net. Tickets: $20, at Tower Records/Video, Cheapo Music, 808 Skate Kailua, the UH Campus Center, Foodland stores and military ticket outlets. The opening act will be local band Linus.

• 7 p.m. March 8 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

DANCE: March 8-9

The renowned Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, left, a Washington,D.C.-based contemporary dance troupe that's performed in diverse venues that include shipyards, museums, street corners and premiere stages, offers two concerts at the Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College. The concerts climax a nine-day residency during which it will teach and interact with students, hula halau and seniors. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students, seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, available at the University of Hawai'i- Manoa Campus Center ticket office.

• 7:30 p.m. March 8, 2 p.m. March 9 / Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / 956-6878

DANCE: March 11-16

"Spirit of the Dance," the Irish sensation with sizzling hot salsa and cool Celtic tapping, returns to the Hawai'i Theatre March 11-16. It's become a worldwide hit, since the Irish International Dance Company first appeared here in 2001, with six dance companies now all over the world, from Las Vegas to Branson. Tickets: $25-$45.

• 7:30 p.m. March 11-13; 8 p.m. March 14; 2 and 8 p.m. March 15; 7 p.m. March 16 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

PARADE: March 17

Erin go, Brah! It's not often you can wear green — and be in vogue — but that time is around the corner. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will hold the customary St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, from Ala Moana Park (at Atkinson Drive), heading diamond head to Kalakaua Avenue and finishing at Kapi'olani Park. About 500 marchers, 30 vehicles and four bands will participate. Free.

• Noon-1 p.m. March 17 / Ala Moana to Kapi'olani Park / 956-6651

CONCERT: March 21, 22

Plus One, a Christian act that speaks to the young, takes the Hawai'i Theatre stage March 21 and 22. The foursome — Nate Cole, Jeremy Mhire, Nathan Walters and Gabe Combs — are hip in appearance and in sound, all the better to send out their message of commitment and purpose. Tickets: $15-$35.

• 7:30 p.m. March 21, 22 / Hawai'i Theatre /528-0506

CONCERT: March 22

Bobby McFerrin, right, who is mistakenly only associated with his "Don't Worry, Be Happy" mega-hit, brings his uncanny, must-see solo show to Hawai'i for a one-nighter, under the auspices of the Honolulu Symphony, March 22 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Since scoring with his "Happy" hit, McFerrin has reinvented himself into multi-task artist, ranging from symphonic conductor to one-man band. He uses his voice, and thumps on his body, to mimic a myriad of sounds. It's a symphony season add-on "extra." In a word: incredible. Tickets: $15-$57.

• 8 p.m. March 22 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000

OSCAR PARTY: March 23

The envelope, please: Honolulu is one of 40 cities hosting Academy Awards-sanctioned "Oscar Night America" parties, March 23 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room and environs.

The Hawai'i International Film Festival will host a gala that includes food, drink and watching the Oscarcast on giant screens well before the rest of the viewers, thanks to KITV-4, the ABC affiliate.

Tickets: $2,500 for corporate table of 10; $500 per couple, which includes silver HIFF membership; $100 for HIFF 'Ohana members; $150 for others.

• From 4 p.m. March 23 / Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room / 528-3456, ext. 21

COMING UP:

• Kamehameha Schools Ho'olaule'a 2003, March 1, Bishop Museum
• Aspen Ballet, March 2, Leeward Community College Theatre
• Honolulu Festival, March 14-16, various venues
• Hawai'i Music Awards, March 15, Kapono's
• "Romance, Romance," March 21-April 6, Diamond Head Theatre
• "Hanau Ka Moku: An Island Is Born," March 29, Hawai'i Theatre
• Olomana, April 4, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Morning's at Seven," April 11, Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre
• Hawai'i International Spring Film Festival, April 11-17, Dole Signature Theatres
• Margaret Cho, April 12, Waikiki Shell
• "Rumble in the Jungle," 'Iolani School carnival, April 25-26, 'Iolani campus
• "Giselle" ballet, by Ballet Hawaii, May 3-4, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Uluwehi Guerrero, May 16, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Refund note: That canceled "Together Again" comedy show, which was to feature Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in January at Blaisdell Concert Hall, won't be rescheduled after all, so refunds are being issued to those who anticipated a new playdate. Conway, you recall, suffered internal bleeding and had to be hospitalized. Cash refunds may be obtained at the Blaisdell box office though Feb. 28; for information, call 521-2911.

Back to the future: Randy Smith, who gained initial acclaim in the Mardi Gras Follies, returns to the roster, likely showing off his Frank Sinatra-style ballads. You recall, Smith, 50, is the former Marine who found show biz late in life, developing a show that ran a year at the Sheraton Waikiki's Esprit lounge. Now he belts for the folks who helped put him on the map, with performances Feb. 28-March 22 at The Banyans at Pearl Harbor. And yes, he's weighing options for future shows elsewhere.

Da Queen Goin' Tell All: Lisa Matsumoto, creator of those wickedly funny "Once Upon One Time" plays, will talk story and reveal some secrets at "Behind Da Scenes Wit' Da Wicked Queen," 7 p.m. March 8 at Bakken Auditorium, Mid-Pacific Institute. It's an informational session, including film clips from the wacky shows, and it's free. But call 486-4444 — they like know how many of you goin' sho' up.

The circus is coming: The New Shanghai Circus, a Chinese ensemble of nimble acrobats and contortionists, will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 13 and 14 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. A Hawai'i tour also includes dates on Maui (March 7, 8), Kaua'i (March 9) and the Big Island (March 10 and 12). Tickets to the Honolulu dates go on sale Saturday at the Blaisdell box office; tickets to other shows already are on sale. Opening night special: $20 general, $5 discount for children 12 and younger and seniors; Friday night, $30, $25 and $20 general, with the same $5 discount.

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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.