What's Up!

CONCERT: June 13

Local favorite Moonlight Mele There's nothing better than enjoying sweet local sounds under the stars. AIG Hawaii brings back Moonlight Mele on the Lawn at the Bishop Museum. On June 26, Olomana and Na Palapalai (left) perform. The Brothers Cazimero and Maunalua perform July 24, and Friends of 'Aha Punana Leo appear Aug. 14. Gates open at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7. Advance tickets are $15 general, $10 AIG Hawaii policyholders and Bishop Museum members. 847-8290.

• 6:30-9 p.m. June 13 / Kapi'olani Park bandstand / 931-1435

EXHIBIT: June 14-Sept. 2

Bishop Museum will soon unveil its latest interactive exhibit, "Robotics." Discover the differences and connections between people and these machines in how they sense, think and act. Visitors can shoot hoops with a robot, learn why a robot can't tie its shoe, race with a robot and meet a famous robot explorer. Admission is $14.95 general, $11.95 for seniors, military and children ages 4-12. Children under 4 and Bishop Museum Association members are free.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 14-Sept. 2 / Bishop Museum / 847-3511, www.bishopmuseum.org

CONCERT: June 14

The Makaha Sons go back to their roots with the Take a Walk in the Country Concert in Makaha. The multi-Na Hoku Hanohano award winners, known for their amazing harmonies and traditional styles, will be joined by Ho'okena and Nani Dudoit, Kanilau, Paie'a, Imua, Kilinahe Fiji, Robi Kahakalau, Sean Na'auao, Raiatea Helm, Del Beazley and JJ and Darlene Ahuna. Dancing to these sweet tunes will be Hula Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, Halau I Ka Wekiu and Halau Hula 'O Napunaheleonapua. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door. Children under 5 are free. Platinum VIP packages are $125, including dinner and wine, silent auction, gifts and reserved seating for the show.

• 6-9 p.m. June 14 / Makaha Resort Golf Club / 695-7517

CLUB: June 17

Brace yourselves for a party that's sure to go off the hook. The monthly Glitter N Glamour night at the infamous Pussycat Lounge will razzle and dazzle as it celebrates its anniversary. Gabriel Rene brings his broad range of hip-hop, house and drum and bass. Shine on with free glitter make-overs, free massages, free gifts and free sushi. Don't forget to dress to express for this month's theme, "Erotica." Price: $15 before midnight, for 21 and older.

• 9 p.m.-4 a.m. June 17 / Wave Waikiki / 941-0424

FESTIVAL: June 20-22

Get ready for some serious grinds when the Taste of Honolulu takes over the Honolulu Civic Center grounds. Use your scrip to try samples from 25 local eateries, including Auntie Pasto's, Bali-by-the-Sea, Canoes at the Ilikai, The Willows, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant and Tiki's Bar and Grill. While munching, enjoy the entertainment, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and children's activities. Proceeds benefit the Easter Seals Hawaii programs. Admission: $3 general, free for seniors and children 12 and younger.

• 5-10 p.m. June 20, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 22 / Honolulu Civic Center grounds / 536-1015

CONCERT: June 22

Go back to the swinging '30s and '40s as Let's Dance 2003 bids aloha to conductor and musician Willie Barton. Barton heads back to Mississippi in September to take care of his mother, so put on your dancing shoes and give Barton your best. This lively shindig features the big band sounds of the Willie Baron Orchestra and vocalist Jan Brenner. Al Waterson and George Chun serve as hosts. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefits the Hawaii Lupus Foundation Inc. Tickets: $15.

• 6-9 p.m. June 22 / The Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room / 931-7194, 538-1522

CONCERT: June 27

David Doucet, guitarist for Grammy-award winning band BeauSoleil, is bringing his warm traditional sounds to the islands. This Cajun guitarist, who has taken steps from ensemble to solo performer, will showcase his nimble finger-picking style accompanied by his own vibrant voice. Doucet will also tell cultural stories about Cajun music and the people who made it. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students, seniors and University of Hawai'i faculty and staff.

• 8 p.m. June 27 / Orvis Auditorium / 956-6878

FESTIVAL: June 29

The 3rd Annual Salsathon is getting ready to heat things up. There'll be mucho entertainment, including performances by El Conjunto Tropical, Orquesta Son Caribe, Latin Lady DJ Margarita, Hot Salsa Hawaii and Aloha Rumberos. Come check out the food and craft booths and beer and margarita garden. Celebrating El Dia De San Juan, the bash is a fund-raiser for Centro Hispano de Hawaii. Tickets: $5 advance, $8 at the door. Children 12 and under and seniors 60 and older are free.

• Noon-8 p.m. June 29 / Ala Moana Beach Park, McCoy Pavilion / 941-5216, 285-0072

DANCE: July 3-5

New York-based Covenant Dance Theatre presents a dancing homage to WWII second-generation Japanese American veterans in "Nisei." Choreographer Marla Hirokawa, a Hilo native, created the performance in honor of her late father, Lawrence. He was a soldier in the 100th Battalion and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Students from Ballet Hawaii and 26 dancers from New York perform in the show, along with color guards, taiko drummers and actor/playwright Lane Nishikawa. Following the performance will be walk-on appearances by WWII veterans from Hawai'i. Tickets: $35 with discounts for children, seniors and military/veterans. Tickets for the opening night gala on July 3 are $100 for dinner and the show or $50 for just the performance, to benefit the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in Hawai'i.

• 8 p.m. July 3, 7:30 p.m. July 4, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. July 5 / Leeward Community College Theatre / 947-5702
• Neighbor Island performances: Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center, July 8; University of Hawai'i-Hilo, theatre July 11-12;
• Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theater, July 15.

CONCERT: July 3

Breathe in the fresh country air while relaxing to some cool tunes when Turtle Bay Resort brings back "Guitars Under the Stars" featuring jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour and special guests. Go stargazing with telescopes and astronomy lessons by Litebox Telescopes. There will be food and beverages booths set up, with North Shore farm grown produce stands offering fresh goods. The night won't be complete without a dazzling fireworks display following the concert. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door. Parking is $5. Blankets and low-backed chairs are welcome, but no coolers, large bags or backpacks will be allowed.

• 6 p.m. July 3 / Turtle Bay Resort / 293-8811

FESTIVAL: July 4-6

Kick off Independence Day weekend with the popular summer bash, BayFest. Musical headliners include rockers Joan Jett (right) and the Blackhearts, country icon Neal McCoy and alterna-cool band Everclear. The famous Grucci Brothers Fireworks are back, with colorful shows each night. There will be games, contests, giveaways, boat rides and car shows. E.K. Fernandez brings the midway to the windward side, offering rides for all ages. No backpacks or coolers are allowed. Pre-sale tickets are $8, includes one adult admission, three carnival rides and two Papa John's pizza coupons.

• Noon-2 a.m. July 4-5, noon-midnight July 6 / Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii / 254-7679

COMING UP:

• "Midsummer Night's Dance Celebration" by Ballet Hawaii, June 27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Jack Johnson, July 6, Pipeline Café
• Evanescence, July 11, Pipeline Café
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-20 on O'ahu, July 25-26 on Maui
• 'Ukulele Festival, July 27, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• 2003 Made in Hawaii Festival, Aug. 15-17, Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall and Arena.
• "On Golden Pond," June 25-July 20, Yellow Brick Studio
• "The Laramie Project," July 16-Aug. 3, Manoa Valley Theatre
• "The Wizard of Oz," July 18-Aug. 3, Diamond Head Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Concert cues: Pollstar lists and a Kool & the Gang show Aug. 26 at the Waikiki Shell. Stay tuned for details. A three-island Jefferson Starship July visit, however, has been canceled.

Water way to go: If you receive a Mylar balloon, for your graduation or for a weekend birthday, trade one in for a $10 admission discount, on Kamehameha Day Wednesday, at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park at Kapolei. The turn-in will prevent one of those shiny thingies from soaring into the air, tangling power lines, says HECO.

Parading pride: Connie Florez, Cukie Jones and Dr. Bob Bidwell will be grand marshals of the Honolulu Gay Pride Parade, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 28, from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park.

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.