What's Up!

August film premieres Aug. 1: "American Wedding" (above) Aug. 6: "Freaky Friday" Aug. 8: "S.W.A.T." Aug. 15: "Freddy Vs. Jason," "Grind," "Open Range," "Shaolin Soccer," "Uptown Girls" Aug. 22: "Envy," "Marci X," "The Medallion," "My Boss's Daughter" Aug. 29: "Jeepers Creepers II"

Come on down to Ala Moana Beach Park for the 8th annual AT&T Dragon Boat Festival. Cheer on your favorite teams as the colorfully decorated boats race to the finish 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 9 and 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 10. The festival, with family fun, food and entertainment, takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Entertainment over the two-day period includes Ka'ala Boys, a Chinese dance troupe, Nightlife, Country Side Band, Imua and an Asian lion-dance team. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 9-10 / Ala Moana Beach Park/ 951-0350

DANCE: Aug. 10 and 24

The 63rd Na Hula Festival, left, sponsored by Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation, takes place over two Sundays in August. On Aug. 10, halau scheduled to perform include Puanani Alama Hula Studio, Leilani Alama Hula Studio and Halau Hula 'O Hokulani. On Aug. 24, entertainment will include Na Wahine O Ka Hula Maika Pu'u Wai, Royal Hawaiian Band, Gleemen Plus of Honolulu and Halau Hula 'O Pua 'A'ala Hone. Free.

• 11 a.m. Aug. 10 and 24 / Kapi'olani Park bandstand / 692-5118

CONCERT: Aug. 10

Hailing from Chicago, Grammy award winner Common heads for Hawai'i for a concert at Pipeline Cafe. 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, $20 at the door, 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 Cafe / 589-1999

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

CONCERT: Aug. 14

Known for the hit songs "Understatement" and "Head on Collision," emo rock band New Found Glory, left, 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 Cafe / 526-4400

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 coincide with the Hawaii Sign Language Festival Aug. 16 and benefit VSA arts of Hawai'i-Pacific's "Artists Unlimited" project. Beethoven's Nightmare will also record two CDs with island musicians at the Atherton Studio during its stay. Concert tickets are $25, includes dinner.

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

CONCERT: Aug. 16

"Ka Himeni Ana," an evening of unamplified Hawaiian music, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a concert dedicated to musician-instructor-songwriter Winona Beamer. Beamer is also the mother of local favorites Keola and Kapono Beamer. The evening's entertainment features many of the first-place winners from "Ka Himeni Ana" concerts, including Ho'omaile, Lihau, Pai'ea, 'Ale'a, Pa'ahana, Kanilau, Moana Chang and Family, Hala'i and Kaleo 'O Kalamaola. Before the program begins, Mahi Beamer will play Hawaiian music on the Morton organ at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6, $10, $15, $20, $25 and $30.

• 8 p.m. Aug. 16 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

DANCE: Aug. 16

Kuhai Halau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa 'Olapa Kahiko Inc. presents its 26th annual Ho'ike at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre. During each of two performances, the halau will present songs and dances of its founder, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, right. At the matinee show, entertainers Raiatea Helm, The Lim Family and Olomana take part in the festivities. During the evening show, Auntie Genoa Keawe, 'Ale'a and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom will share their music. Nalani Olds is mistress of ceremonies. Tickets: $15.

• 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 16 / Castle High School, Ronald E. Bright Theatre / 235-3603, 234-1155

CONCERT: Aug. 17

Jimmy Borges and Friends will perform at the annual music scholarship fund-raiser at Kilohana United Methodist Church in Niu Valley. Along with Borges, left, Betty Lou Taylor, Gabe Baltazar, Shari Lynn, Steve Jones and Noel Okimoto will perform. The entertainment will also include the scholarship winners, Mitchell Kuga, Morgan Pajo and Alison Yoshida. Tickets: $15 general, $5 students.

• 7 p.m. Aug. 17 / Kilohana United Methodist Church, 5829 Mahimahi St. / 373-3373

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:

Yes indeed: The classic '70s rock band Yes joins the Honolulu Symphony in a concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Blaisdell Arena. Tickets — $45, $65 — go on sale from 9 a.m. Aug. 2 at the box office and Ticketmaster (877-750-4400) outlets. 792-2000.

Just for laughs: Comic Bobcat Goldthwait heads this way for a funnyfest at Pipeline Café Aug. 29. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 8:15 p.m. Tickets — $20 general, $25 for table seating — go on sale Aug. 1 at Hawaii's Natural High and Pipeline. 589-1999, 926-3000. Goldthwait performs at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, too. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, $20, $30 and also go on sale Aug. 1. (808) 242-2787.

You go, gals!: It's an all-wahine polo match, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the polo field in Waimanalo. Food is available from Maria Bonita's Mexican Cuisine, but you can also bring your own picnic (the gates open at 1 p.m.). There's entertainment afterward, too. Admission is $3. It's a benefit for Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii.

Friday fun: Despite rumors to the contrary, The Garden still is an eden for fun when the Black Garter Cafe prevails, at 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Garnering support is the Garter's $20-at-the-door charge, which includes all drinks (beer, well drinks, soda). Hotline: 531-4140, ext. 2.

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.