What's Up!

Local favorite Hawaiian sounds Bring the family to a free concert of slack-key guitar and falsetto singing featuring George Kahumoku, left, and Ledward Ka'apana. It happens at 5:30 p.m. May 28 at the Salt Lake/Moanalua Public Library. 831-6831.

Ah, the annual 50th State Fair is back, which means rides, games and ... chimpanzees? That's right, there's some monkey business here as the fair introduces the Great Ape Encounter, an educational, fun-filled experience with the Rosaire-Zoppe chimps. Other attractions include the Bikes, Blades and Boards stunt show, Hawai'i State Auto Show and the Overdrive Live Concert with local performers. Admission is $3 for 12 and older, $2 for those 4-11 and free for children 3 and younger. Special fair promotions include Military Appreciation Day May 26 and Pepsi Days June 1, 8 and 15.

• 6 p.m.-midnight May 23, 30, June 6, 12-13; noon-midnight May 24-26, 31, June 1, 7-8 and 14-15 / Aloha Stadium / 682-5767

CONCERT: May 24

Delight in Hawaiian sound and dance during the Hawaiian Bash, an evening celebrating local music. There will be hula dances and the music of Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu, Maunalua, 'Ale'a, Kahua, Kim, Justin, Na Palapalai and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus. Tickets: $10-$25 pre-sale, $12-$30 at the door.

• 6-9:30 p.m. May 24 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400

CONCERT: May 24

"Reggae in the Valley" offers a night of Hawaiian and reggae sounds featuring Butch Helemano, whose Hawaiian reggae follows traditional stylings for smooth roots and rock rhythm. THC, Dube Remedy, Kona & Adam, Mc Rastafar I Haile Israel and DJ Liloa bring along their melodious grooves to help rock Waimea Valley. Tickets: $10, with an additional $10 for reserved seating.

• 7 p.m. May 24 / Waimea Falls Park Pikake Pavilion / 637-3138, 637-4544

CONCERT: May 26

Chamber Music Hawaii ends its season with "L'Histoire du Soldat — A Soldier's Tale," a contemporary Hawaiian adaptation of the musical drama by Igor Stravinsky. Written and directed by Ann McCutchan, the show will feature, from left, Sylvia Hormann-Alper as narrator, Becky Maltby as the Devil, Michael Hanuna as the Soldier and Minou Lallemand as the Princess. Tickets: $15 general, $12 seniors and students, free for 18 and younger.

• 7:30 p.m. May 26 / The Doris Duke at the Academy / 524-0815, ext. 245, www.chambermusichawaii.com

CONCERT: May 27

The hottest rapper right now is in the money and planning to take Hawai'i by storm. Street smart and confrontational, 50 Cent brings his tell-it-like-it-is approach to music to rock this rock. Brooklyn native Fabolous brings his up-tempo party vibe to the bill as special guest. Tickets: $36.50 and $39.50.

• 7 p.m. / Blaisdell Arena / 526-4400

DANCE: May 30

Dancing queens (and kings) can get down and boogie at the Disco Fever dance party. Dust off your bell bottoms, polyester suits and platform shoes and groove to the beats of Aura, Phase 7, Asian Blend and Power Point. There'll be guest performances by Tino and the Rhythm Klub, Infusion and eightOeight. Yvonne Elliman stars, with the J. Michael Band performing some of her hits. Tiny Tadani hosts. Tickets: $35 and $45 pre-sale, with an additional $10 for those purchased at the door. All tickets include one drink.

• 7:30 p.m. May 30 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / 526-4400

DANCE: May 30-31

Consider it fate that "Destiny" has returned. After its world premiere at the Hawai'i Theatre last May, Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre brings back the production based on the maternal strengths of the Earth and the forces of change. The dreamlike sequences blend butoh and modern dance, with fantastic costumes and one-of-a-kind production elements. Tickets: $25-$45 ($5 discount for students, seniors and military).

• 8 p.m. May 30-31 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506
• On Maui: 7:30 p.m. June 7, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $25-$40 ($5 discount for seniors, students)

STAGE: May 30-June 1

Splish splash with some watery wonders when The Saigon Water Puppet Theatre brings about its magical delights. The company, from Ho Chi Minh City, is considered one of Vietnam's national treasures. Using puppetry on water, the troupe uses a backdrop of traditional music to highlight the playful action and comic scenes. Colorful costumes and inspired choreography add to the artistry. Tickets: $12 general, $8 students, seniors and Friends of the East-West Center members.

• 7 p.m. May 30, 10 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m. May 31, noon and 4 p.m. June 1 / Waikiki Shell / 526-4400, 591-2211, 944-7177

CONCERT: June 4-Aug. 27

Untame your inner musical beast when the AT&T's Wildest Show in Town returns this summer. For 13 weeks beginning June 4, spend your Wednesday pau hana listening to local faves including Kapena, Frank DeLima, Jake Shimabukuro, Jimmy Borges and his Jazzy Friends and Raiatea Helm. The 'Ohi'a Productions children's play "Peril in Paradise" will be performed. Doors open at 4:35 p.m., and early arrivals can take a 30-minute guided tour of the zoo before the entertainment begins. Tickets: $1.

• 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 4-Aug. 27 / Honolulu Zoo / 531-0101

CONCERT: June 7

Santa Barbara-based punk band The Ataris rock this way with a concert at Pipeline Café. Influenced by the likes of Lagwagon, NOFX, Jawbreaker and Mineral, band members Kris Roe (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Davenport (bass/vocals), John Collura (guitar/vocals) and Chris Knapp (drums) are ready to jam with their indie sounds. Tickets: $17.50.

• 7 p.m. June 7 / Pipeline Café / 526-4400

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

FESTIVAL: June 6-8

The 24th annual Pan-Pacific Festival-Matsuri in Hawaii is back, cultivating the relationship between Japan and Hawai'i with a multitude of cultural activities. The celebration kicks off that Friday with an entertainment-packed ho'olaule'a in Waikiki and ends Sunday with a colorful parade down Kalakaua Avenue. Weekend activities include a half-marathon through Honolulu and performing arts showcases at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and Ala Moana Center. Most events are free.

• Various times and venues June 6-8 / 265-6225, www.pan-pacific-festival.com

STAGE: June 12-22

Go to where the air is sweet when Sesame Street Live returns to Hawai'i with "1-2-3 ... Imagine!" It's a Broadway-style musical for the keiki featuring cuddly favorites Big Bird, Elmo, Bert and Ernie and the rest of the gang as they use their imaginations to take them to places like a fiesta in Mexico, on a deep-sea adventure or a jungle exploration in Africa. Tickets: $11, $15 and $19. All seats on opening night are $11.

• 7 p.m. June 12, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 13, 19 and 20, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 14, 15, 21 and 22 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 526-4400

COMING UP:

• Maxi Priest, Arrested Development, Eek-A-Mouse and Beres Hammond, May 25, Waikiki Shell
• King Kamehameha floral parade, June 7, downtown to Waikiki
• Aston Full Moon Concert Series, June 13, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Taste of Honolulu, June 20-22, City Hall grounds
• "Giselle" ballet, by Ballet Hawaii, June 27, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• "Nisei," with the Covenant Dance Theatre, July 3-5, Leeward Community College; Kaua'i Community College, July 8; UH-Hilo, July 11-12; Maui Arts & Cultural Center, July 15
• Evanescence, July 11, Pipeline Cafe
• Hawaii International Jazz Festival, July 18-20 on O'ahu, July 25-26 on Maui
• 'Ukulele Festival, July 27, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand

BUZZING ABOUT:

Facelift: The Hawai'i Theatre finally will get its outside facelift, thanks to the successful capital campaign fund-raising to meet the $500,000 Kresge Challenge Grant. The theater needed $1.8 million to start on the exterior renovations, which will include painted walls, storefront windows, canopy, widened sidewalk and marquee. By this time next year, the Hawai'i will be ready for its new-face closeup.

Broadway ladies: The Honolulu Café, at 741 Bishop St. at Pacific Guardian Center (the old Dillingham Building, at Bishop and Nimitz), is staging "On Broadway," a cocktail party, 5-9 p.m. Thursday, with entertainment by two local singers who have appeared in Broadway musicals: Danielle Mika (world cast of "Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Miss Saigon," "Cats") and Kristian Lei (European cast of "Miss Saigon"). $10 cover; wear "Chicago"-inspired attire. Reservations: 349-8915.

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.