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Local favorite Race to the finish Come on down to Ala Moana Beach Park to cheer on your favorite team during the 8th annual dragon boat races, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 9 and 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 10. The festival (10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days) includes ethnic food, crafts, entertainment and cultural exhibits. Admission is free.

'Ohi'a Productions brings back an original musical by Lisa Matsumoto and Roslyn, "On Dragonfly Wings," inspired by Alana Dung, who died of leukemia when she was 3 years old. Energetic songs and colorful characters follow Wendy the waterbug as she turns into a gorgeous dragonfly. This heartwarming story, which celebrates life and portrays death as a beginning rather than an end, has been rewritten with new characters and songs. Tickets: $15-$40.

• 7:30 p.m. July 25-26, 30-31 and Aug. 1-2, and 4 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: July 25-26

It's one of the biggest birthday parties of the year. The two-night KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash showcases local music entertainers, the return of the Island Music MVPs and an all-star revue. The July 25 lineup includes Sean Na'auao, right, Three Plus, Na Palapalai, Pati, O-Shen, 'Ekolu, Sudden Rush and The Next Generation. July 26 features Kapena, Fiji, Keahiwai, Natural Vibrations, Ten Feet and B.E.T. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. July 25 and 4 p.m. July 26, with a "Live at Five" segment at 5 p.m. on July 26. The first 5,000 through the gate each night receive a free FM100 Birthday Bash cap. Tickets for each show are $18.50 lawn, $19.50 terrace and $26 pool. Two-night admission tickets are $30 lawn and $32 upper terrace.

• 5:30 p.m. July 25-26 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400, 296-1003

MIXED BAG: July 26

July is American Beer Month, so it's only fitting to have a celebration for whose focus is the sudsy stuff. The American Brews, Blues & BBQs block party will feature classic beer styles including ales, bocks, porters, stouts, pale ales, pilsners and barley brews. There'll be a Home Brew Contest, a Home Brew Master Demonstration Class, a Beer and BBQ cook-off, Beer Museum, fashion show and a Battle of the Blues Bands. Admission is free. ID bracelets required to purchase alcohol are $3, which benefits Hawai'i Public Radio. Beverages can be purchased with scrip, with food sold separately.

• 5-10 p.m. July 26 / between Pauahi and King streets on Nu'uanu Avenue / 521-2900, 955-8821, 486-3057, 523-2489

FESTIVAL: July 27

Professional and amateur 'ukulele players from around the world come together to strum their stuff during the 33rd annual 'Ukulele Festival. Entertainers this year include Raiatea Helm, Frank DeLima, Ernie Cruz Jr., Troy Fernandez, Herb Ohta Jr. and Herb "Ohta-San" Ohta. Roy Sakuma's 800 piece 'ukulele band, featuring more than 800 children, also performs. Danny Kaleikini serves as emcee. Free.

• 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. July 27 / Kapi'olani Park Bandstand / 732-3739

CONCERT: Aug. 14

Known for the hit songs "Understatement" and "Head on Collision," emo rock band New Found Glory brings its sounds to the Islands for an all-ages concert. Its song "Forget About Everything" can be heard on the "American Wedding" soundtrack, the third installment of the naughty but funny "American Pie" movies ("Wedding" is scheduled to open in theaters Aug. 1). Tickets: $20.

• 7 p.m. Aug. 14 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

CONCERT: Aug. 10

Hailing from Chicago, Grammy award winner Common heads for Hawai'i for a concert at Pipeline Café. This solo hip-hop act's latest album, "Electric Circus," is a followup to the critically acclaimed "Like Water for Chocolate." Tickets are $15 pre-sale, for 18 and older. Doors open at 9 p.m., with the afterparty happening from 1:30 to 4 a.m.

• 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Aug. 10 / Pipeline Café / 589-1999

CONCERT: Aug. 15

America's only all-deaf professional rock 'n' roll band, Beethoven's Nightmare, performs with local musicians during the "Live It Up Live, Hawai'i" benefit concert. The concert and party coincides with the Hawaii Sign Language Festival on Aug. 16. Beethoven's Nightmare will also record two CDs with island musicians at the Atherton Studio during its stay in the Islands. Concert tickets are $25, which benefits VSA Arts of Hawaii-Pacific's "Artists Unlimited" project; includes dinner.

• 5-10 p.m. Aug. 15 / Hard Rock Café / 946-7300

FESTIVAL: Aug. 15-17

Get your Christmas shopping done early or pick up a few trinkets for yourself at the annual Made in Hawaii Festival. Anyone looking for Hawai'i-made treasures will delight in the many products to be found, including hand-painted T-shirts, fresh flowers, fragrant beauty products, original art, handcrafted bead jewelry and Asian and Hawaiian-inspired rubber stamps. More than 400 exhibitors from O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, the Big Island and Ni'ihau will be there. Admission is $2 general, and children under 6 are free.

• Noon-9 p.m. Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m .Aug. 17 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 533-1292, www.madeinhawaiifestival.com

COMING UP:

• "Gypsy," Sept. 4-20, Army Community Theatre
• Midori, violinist in concert with the Honolulu Symphony, Sept. 5 and 7, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Green Eggs and Ham & Gertrude McFuzz," a Honolulu Theatre for Youth production, Sept. 6-21, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Bat Boy: The Musical," Sept. 10-28, Manoa Valley Theatre
• Aloha Festivals Downtown Ho'olaulea, Sept. 12
• Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park, Sept. 13
• Cinema Paradise Film Festival, Sept. 19-25, The Art House at Restaurant Row
• "Chocolate," a traveling exhibit, Oct. 11-Jan. 4, Bishop Museum
• Hawai'i International Film Festival, Oct. 30-Nov. 9
• "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors," Dec. 5-7, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Munchkin matters: Smart move by Diamond Head Theatre — to add Saturday matinees during its run of the stage musical "The Wizard of Oz," which premieres tonight. You can take your little munchkins to one of two 3 p.m. shows on July 26 and Aug. 2. Ruby slippers optional for the girls.

TGIF: It's Friday. What's there to do that's slightly different from pau hana drinks at Restaurant Row? How about Pau Hana Q-Cruise, hosted by KQMQ, aboard the Star of Honolulu? It's a new journey, 5:30-7:45 p.m., to jump-start the weekend partying. There's entertainment, door prizes, and more; $25 includes one drink and snacks, pupu purchases are optional. For 21 and older. Call 983-7827.

Supercalifragilisticexpi-alidocious: A concert retelling of Mary Poppins, set on the beach and peopled with pirates, surfers and sea creatures, will be titled "Super...docious," and staged at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at Mamiya Theatre. Presenters are the Movement Center. Outback is preparing dinner before the show; call 735-8641.

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.