What's Up!

Local favorite Camping out And then this one time, at "Band Camp," there was this live band fest with acts like Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Go Jimmy Go (above), Johnny Helm, Missing Dave, Pimpbot and Woody. And it was at Mass Appeal's "Beach House" on June 21 at 6 p.m. And it was FREE, baby, at Pier 7 Aloha Tower Marketplace. Alas, this camp isn't for kids — you must be 21 or older.

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 Grill and Bar. 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 26

With summer fast approaching, there's nothing better than to enjoy sweet local sounds while relaxing under the stars. AIG Hawaii brings back Moonlight Mele on the Lawn with three performances at the Bishop Museum. On June 26, Olomana and Na Palapalai perform. The Brothers Cazimero, left, and Maunalua appear July 24, and Friends of 'Aha Punana Leo are scheduled for Aug. 14. Advance tickets are $15 general, $10 AIG Hawaii policyholders and Bishop Museum members.

• 7 p.m. June 26, July 24, Aug. 14 (gates open 6 p.m.) / Bishop Museum / 847-8290

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 and 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

CONCERT: July 3

Breathe in the fresh country air while relaxing to some cool tunes at Turtle Bay Resort's "Guitars Under the Stars," featuring jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour, left, Zanuck Lindsey and Azure McCall and Friends. Go stargazing with telescopes and astronomy lessons by Litebox Telescopes. There will be food and beverage booths, and North Shore farm-grown produce stands. The night won't be complete without a dazzling fireworks display after the concert. Tickets: $22 advance, $28 at the door. Parking is $5. Blankets and low-backed chairs are welcome, but no coolers, outside alcohol, large bags or backpacks allowed.

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

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. After 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.

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.

• 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

FESTIVAL: July 4-6

Kick off Independence Day weekend with the popular summer bash, BayFest. Musical headliners include rockers Joan Jett 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, and 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 / Marine Corps Base Hawai'i / 254-7679

CONCERT: July 6

Surfer-filmmaker-musician Jack Johnson returns to the islands to bring his acoustic surf folk sound back home. Songs from the North Shore native's newest album, "On and On," which was recorded in Hawai'i, can be heard on airwaves across the nation. Count yourself lucky if you scored tickets to this all-ages show; it's sold out.

• 8 p.m. July 6 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

CONCERT: July 11

Hailing from Little Rock, Evanescence, known for the hit song "Bring Me To Life" from the band's debut album "Fallen," is heading to town. "Bring Me To Life" is currently No. 5 on Billboard's Top 10 Singles list. Featuring Amy Lee on vocals, Ben Moody on lead guitar, John LeCompt on guitar and Rocky Gray on drums, get ready to rock with a dark twist. Tickets: $20, all ages.

• 7 p.m. July 11 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

CONCERT: July 11

Hear harmonious chamber melodies performed with jazz, Latin American and other ethnic influences when contemporary classical music band Ufonia presents a concert at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Composed of Benjamin Verdery (guitar), Keith Underwood (flute) and John Marshall (percussion), each member is established in the classical musical scene and are teachers as well. Verdery heads the guitar department at Yale University, Marshall instructs at Washington Montessori and The Gunnery schools in Connecticut, and Underwood teaches at New York University and Mannes College of Music. Tickets: $15.

• 7:30 p.m. July 11 / Doris Duke Theater / 532-8703

COMING UP:

• "On Golden Pond," June 25-July 20, Yellow Brick Studio
• "Midsummer Night's Dance Celebration" by Ballet Hawaii, June 27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "The Laramie Project," July 16-Aug. 3, Manoa Valley Theatre
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-20 on O'ahu, July 25-26 on Maui
• "The Wizard of Oz," July 18-Aug. 3, Diamond Head Theatre
• 'Ukulele Festival, July 27, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Beethoven's Nightmare, the deaf rock 'n' roll band, Aug. 15, Hard Rock Café
• 2003 Made in Hawaii Festival, Aug. 15-17, Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall and Arena.
• Midori, violinist in concert with the Honolulu Symphony, Sept. 5 and 7, Blaisdell Concert Hall

BUZZING ABOUT:

Brunch bunch: The Brothers Cazimero will provide the music at Sunday's Brunch on the Beach on Kalakaua Avenue. It's a rare opportunity to soak in Robert and Roland Cazimero while you feast on French toast, among other brunch items.

Toes of the town: When Ballet Hawaii presents "A Midsummer Night's Dance Celebration" at 7:30 p.m. June 27 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, hometown star Amanda Schull (from the "Center Stage" movie and the San Francisco Ballet) will perform, along with notables from the Miami City Ballet and Boston Ballet. Should be enough to give you a ballet high. 526-4400. A preview, with Schull and her S.F. colleagues, is set from 1 to 3 p.m. June 22 and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 25 at Macy's Ala Moana.

Holding court: The next "Concert in the Courtyard," 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, will feature several stellar Island musicians: Martin Pahinui, George Kuo, Aaron Mahi and Kanilau — plus surprise guest stars. 922-3111.

And all that jazz: If you've been waiting for this year's Best Picture, "Chicago," to be released on video and DVD, the date's approaching: Aug. 19.

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.