What's Up!

Local favorite Water world The 4th annual Honolulu Harbor Festival — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Hawai'i Maritime Center and Aloha Tower Marketplace — celebrates the islands' colorful maritime history with harbor tours, tugboat hula and the Sand Island Challenge Outrigger Canoe Race. There's entertainment and children's activities, too, and it's free. 523-6151.

You want them back? Well, you can have them ... the Dance Hall Crashers are smashing into Honolulu yet again. The band is best known for ska-licious catchy songs such as "Old and Grey," "He Wants Me Back" and "DHC," and the members also have a penchant for hitting up late-night eatery Eggs 'n' Things when in town. Tickets: $18.50.

• 7 p.m. Oct. 17 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

FILM FESTIVAL: Oct. 17-18

The annual 'Ohina Short Film Showcase once again brings into view local indie films such as:

• "Bummer," directed by Scott Kikuta and Ryan Duncan, an animated piece about a boy and a monster.
• "The Marrying Type," by George Russell, about a woman who comes home for her 10-year high school reunion.
• "Ebb and Flow," by Brent Anbe, focusing on a day in the life of a city.

Admission is free.

• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 / Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Academy of Arts / 951-4413

STAGE: Oct. 23-Nov. 16

Relive the magic of "My Fair Lady" when the popular musical opens in Kane'ohe, directed by Ron Bright. Get ready for some longtime favorites such as "I Could Have Danced All Night," "I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face" and "On the Street Where You Live." At right is Tricia Marciel as Eliza Doolittle. Tickets: $26 general, $22 seniors and military and $18 students and children.

• 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Oct. 23-Nov. 16 / Paliku Theatre / 235-7433

FESTIVAL: Oct. 24-26

Celebrate storytelling and oral history during the annual Talk Story Festival. Storytellers include Margaret Read MacDonald, Jack Boyle, Nyla Fujii-Babb, Lopaka Kapanui, Kealoha, James McCarthy and Makia Malo. Jeff Gere hosts. The first night offers Spooky Stories followed by a second night of New Voices. The final night of the festival focuses on Tales of Aloha: Peace, Tolerance and Inspiration. Storytelling workshops will be offered 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25-26. Admission to all is free.

• 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 24-26 / Ala Moana Park, McCoy Pavilion / 692-5751

DANCE: Oct. 25

The Mark Morris Dance Group returns to Honolulu after a sold-out performance three years ago. The company, formed in 1980, has performed around the world, including Boston, London and Brussels. The evening will consist of a mix of ballet and modern dance works led by acclaimed choreographer Morris, who has created more than 100 works for the group and other dance companies. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45, with special group rates available.

• 8 p.m. Oct. 25 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Oct. 25

Go, go, go, Johnnies and Janies, because it'll be a wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom good time as three undisputed legends — Chuck Berry, left, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard — rock the Blaisdell Arena in a rock 'n' roll super show. Tickets: $45 and $55.

• 8 p.m. Oct. 25 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: Oct. 25-26

Let your imagination go wild as Robert Munsch's children's books come alive in "The Paper Bag Princess and Other Stories." Colorful puppets contribute to the vibrant play as the paper-bag princess outwits an arrogant dragon and Mud Puddle teases his playmate and her dog. Mortimer doesn't let anyone sleep and Angela's Airplane flies high into the sky. Tickets are $12 general, $10 seniors, military and University of Hawai'i faculty/staff, $7 for non-UH Manoa students and children, and $3 for UH-Manoa students.

• 4 and 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 2 p.m. Oct. 26 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655, 526-4400

CONCERT: Oct. 30

OK, so she didn't make that 50th State Fair gig a couple of summers ago. This time Ashanti, right, is heading for a bigger, better venue — the Blaisdell Arena, bringing monster hits such as "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Foolish" with her. Tickets are $39.50 at the box office and Ticketmaster outlets. If you wanna dance, it's general admission on the floor; upper levels are reserved seating.

• 7 p.m. Oct. 30 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

HALLOWEEN: Oct. 31

Bring down the little witches and wizards for gobs of goodies at the Bishop Museum's 15th annual Treat Street. The vibrant neighborhood is custom-designed by students of the University of Hawai'i's School of Architecture for children under 12. Keiki can dress up to participate in safe trick-or-treating, kids' contests, storytelling, games and food. Admission is free or a $1 donation benefits the museum's education and outreach programs.

• 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31 / Bishop Museum Great Lawn / 847-3511

CONCERT: Nov. 12

"Cheer Up!" because Reel Big Fish, left, is skanking back into town. The fun-loving ska band, known for such hits as "She Has a Girlfriend Now," "Sell Out" and "I Want Your Girlfriend to be My Girlfriend Too," is a big favorite with local concert-goers. This is the band's sixth appearance in the islands. The Matches open. Tickets: $17.50.

• 7 p.m. Nov. 12 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

COMING UP:

• Hispanic Heritage Festival, Oct. 18, Kapi'olani Park and bandstand
• The Gridiron Show, Oct. 24-25, Diamond Head Theatre
• Hawaii International Film Festival, Oct. 30-Nov. 9
• Cecilio and Kapono, a symphony pops concert, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• LeAnn Rimes, Nov. 1, Blaisdell Arena
• Digital Underground, Nov. 3, Pipeline Café
• "All My Sons," by Arthur Miller, Nov. 7-Dec. 7, Hawai'i Pacific University
• "Man of La Mancha," Nov. 13-29, Army Community Theatre
• Air Supply, Nov. 14, Blaisdell Arena
• Dave Alvin, blues and folk artist, Nov. 15, Hawaiian Hut
• "Apartment 3A," Nov. 19-Dec. 7, Manoa Valley Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Ballet high: New is the buzzword for Ballet Hawaii's annual "Nutcracker," to be staged Dec. 19-21 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Anne Namba is creating new costumes, Peter Dean Beck is doing new sets. Jose Manuel Carreno of the American Ballet Theatre guest-stars.

Give it a spin: With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, expect a number of parties hoping to attract adult trick-or-treaters. One such is "Spooked," 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 31 at the W, featuring house specialist DJ Heather from Chicago, Gary-O, G-Spot, Scotty Soul and others. You can sleep late the next day. Entry is $15-$25 at the door. For 21 and older.

Frank's fund-raiser: Comedian Frank DeLima will appear at the 17th annual Adult Friends for Youth Celebration of Youth Fund-raiser Nov. 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel's Hawaii Ballroom. He and his coterie of characters — Glenn Miyashiro on down to Bart Souza — invite you to attend and kokua. Call Judie Rosen at 395-6008.

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.

E-mail: tgif@honoluluadvertiser.com

Schedule is subject to change.