What's Up!

July film premieres July 2: "Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde," "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" (above) July 9: "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" July 11: "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" July 18: "Bad Boys II," "How to Deal," "Johnny English" July 25: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life," "Seabiscuit," "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over" July 30: "Gigli"

The Aloha Festivals annual Falsetto Contest is searching for its next winner. Ten amateur male performers will compete for a record deal with Hula Records, $500 cash and a weekend getaway for two to Maui by singing high-pitched notes in a style that is one of Hawai'i's unique musical traditions. Kumu hula Blaine Kia and halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie and The Men of Kahulaliwai perform, in addition to Pa'ahana and last year's winner, Gary Medeiros. Frank B. Shaner, KINE radio personality and comedian, serves as host. Tickets: $22-$35, with a $5 discount for those with a 2003 Aloha Festivals ribbon.

CONCERT: July 11

Local and international 'ukulele stars will light up the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel with "Ukulele! The Legend Continues." Local talent includes Kelly Boy DeLima and son Kapena, Jake Shimabukuro and Herb Ohta Jr. The Langley Ukulele Ensemble from British Columbia, will also appear, along with members James Hill and Paul Luongo. Tickets are $35 and $45, including two drinks.

• 7:30 p.m. July 11 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / 931-8383

CONCERT: July 11

Randy Smith returns to perform the music of Ol' Blue Eyes once again during "In Concert — An Evening with the Music of Sinatra." This show features new material not seen during his popular run last year at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel's Esprit Lounge. This time, Smith will be accompanied by a 12-piece ensemble, The Frank Diehl Orchestra, which will also provide music for dancing before and after the show. Vocalist Cynthia Romero also appears, along with comedian Rip Taylor. Advance tickets: $26 and $36, including one drink; tickets at the door are an additional $10.

• 8 p.m. July 11 / Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Monarch Room / 931-8383

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), John Marshall (percussion) and Keith Underwood (flute), 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: $18 general, $15 students, seniors, museum members.

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

STAGE: July 16-Aug. 3

This powerful docu-drama closes out Manoa Valley Theatre's current season with a look at a horrific event and its aftermath. Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student, was murdered in Laramie, Wyo., the victim of a hate crime because he was gay. "The Laramie Project" is based on a series of interviews with the citizens of Laramie as they struggle to understand and come to terms with the crime. Tickets: $25, with discounts for seniors, military and those 25 and younger.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, July 16-Aug. 3 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

FAIR: July 18-Aug. 3

Lions and tigers and bears? Not quite. Try horses and pigs and goats instead! The 31st annual Hawaii State Farm Fair kicks off July 18 for three weekends of fun. Frolic with farm animals in the petting zoo, admire the lush greenery at the plant sale or feel like a kid again on the E.K. Fernandez midway. Presale tickets are $6, including one admission and three ride coupons. Admission: $3 general, $1.50 children ages 5-12, free for kids under 5.

• 6 p.m.-midnight Thursdays-Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays-Sundays July 18-20, 25-27 and July 31-Aug. 3 / Aloha Stadium / 848-2074, www.hawaiistatefarmfair.org

CONCERTS: July 18-19, 25-26

The Hawaii International Jazz Festival, celebrating its 10th year, offers two weekends of music — first in Honolulu, then on Maui — by acclaimed artists from near and far.

In Honolulu, at the Blaisdell Concert Hall:

• 7-10 p.m. July 18, "Guitar Magic and Vocal Jazz": Guitarist Larry Coryell, vocalist Tierney Sutton and the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, and the Honolulu Jazz Quartet with Keahi Conjugacion.
• 7-10 p.m. July 19, "International Jazz": Flutist Nestor Torres, trumpeter Tiger Okoshi, pianist Makoto Ozone, 'ukulele stylist Jake Shimabukuro and Gypsy Pacific.

On Maui, at the Wailea Marriott Resort's Aulani Ballroom:

• 7-10 p.m. July 25, "International Jazz": Coryell, Okoshi, the San Diego State University Big Band, Honolulu Jazz Quartet with Conjugacion, and others.
• 7-10 p.m. July 26, "Hawaiian Jazz": saxophonist Gabe Baltazar, vocalists Jimmy Borges and Conjugacion, Gypsy Pacific, and Ukulele Madness.

Jam sessions will follow the Maui concerts at the Lokelani Ballroom.

Honolulu concert tickets — $20, $35, and $40 — are available at Ticketmaster outlets and the Blaisdell box office. Two-night pass on O'ahu only: $5 off combined price of tickets. Discounts available for seniors, military and students.526-4400, 591-2211.

Maui tickets — $30 and $45, including one drink — are available now at Borders and Request Music in Lahaina and beginning July 22 at the Wailea Marriot.

www.hawaiijazz.com.

CONCERT: July 20

It's time for some smooth, slow grooves with a '70s Soul Jam. Featuring hit bands from the decade of big hair and equally big shoes, The Stylistics, The Manhattans and The Chi-Lites get it on with their silky sounds to help you dance the night away on two dance floors. Jimmie "JJ" Walker serves as the "Dyno-Mite" host. Tickets: $35 and $45.

• 7 p.m. July 20 / Blaisdell Arena / 526-4400

STAGE: July 25-Aug. 3

'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 made its debut two summers ago, celebrates life and portrays death as a beginning rather than an end. 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

COMING UP:

• "The Wizard of Oz," July 18-Aug. 3, Diamond Head Theatre
• 'Ukulele Festival, July 27, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• New Found Glory, Aug. 14, Pipeline Café
• 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
• "Gypsy," Sept. 4-20, Army Community Theatre
• "Bat Boy: The Musical," Sept. 10-28, Manoa Valley Theatre
• Hawai'i International Film Festival, Oct. 30-Nov. 9
• "A Merry Christmas with Friends & Nabors," Dec. 5-7, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Reel 'em in: Here are the audience faves at the recent Maui Film Festival:

• "Whale Rider," dramatic feature, the tale of a young New Zealander who's eager to prove herself as a leader of her people. "Whale Rider" opens today in Honolulu.
• "Step into Liquid," best documentary, a surf film shot at Mavericks and Jaws and featuring Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama.
• "Most," short film, the story of a railroad bridge-tender.

More than 17,500 film fans attended the festival, which ended June 15. Mark your calendars for the festival's winter event: FirstLight: Academy Screenings takes place Dec. 17-Jan. 4, offering many of the film industry's Oscar-worthy releases.

Pushed back: Punk-pop band New Found Glory, which originally was to perform at Pipeline Café Aug. 5, has been rescheduled for Aug. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. $20, all-ages show. (877) 750-4400.

Lucky number: Tickets are on sale for KCCN FM100's "Birthday Bash XIII," two big shows at the Waikiki Shell, each with a different lineup. July 25: Sean Na'auao, Three Plus, Na Palapalai, Pati, O-Shen, 'Ekolu, Sudden Rush, The Next Generation, and the Island Music MVPs. July 26: Kapena, Fiji, Keahiwai, Natural Vibrations, Ten Feet, B.E.T., and the Island Music MVPs. Doors open 4:30 p.m. July 25, 4 p.m. July 26; the main show begins at 5:30 p.m. each night. Tickets for each night: $18.50 lawn, $19.50 terrace, $26 pool. Two-night admission tickets are $30 for lawn seats, $32 upper terrace; available at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. 526-4400.

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.