THE LEFT LANE
Food and drink, plus Shanghai orchestra

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Dim sum and champagne ... and an evening with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra?

It's possible, with the PBS Hawaii special $180 ticket package for two, for the orchestra's concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The deal includes a reception at 6:30 p.m., at the Blaisdell lanai, where refreshments will be served. Admission includes premium seating and the chance to meet orchestra members.

The 80-piece orchestra, conducted by Chen Xieyang, pictured above, and featuring pianist Tian Jiang, is making its Hawai'i debut. The Shanghai Symphony is best known for its recording of the soundtrack from the Oscar-winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" film. For PBS reservations, call 973-0289; regular tickets, $35 to $60, are available through TicketMaster, at (877) 750-4400.

Concert to applaud Hawai'i's firefighters

Moreno, a singer-pianist, has inhabited the showrooms in Sin City, played on Caribbean ship cruises and frequented hundreds of clubs and TV shows over the years, often sharing billings with the likes of John Mayall, Mitch Ryder, The Temptations, Johnny Lee, billy Preston, Marilyn McCoo, the Drifters and the Rascals. His repertoire is a fusion of blues, soul and funk, with rock, country and jazz elements, too.

Kapena, an Island favorite, and stand-up comic Andy Bumatai also take the stage.

Tickets: $25; proceeds support the firefighters' health and safety projects in the community, including the School Tools program.

Information: 949-9673.

Program can fulfill your dream to fly

If you love to fly the friendly skies but hate having no control, here's a chance to live out your flying fantasy. Be A Pilot is a nationwide program where participants get an introductory flying lesson for $49.

The low-budget thrill means stepping into the cockpit of a small plane with an FAA-licensed instructor.

After registering online or by calling the toll-free number, pilot wannabes will receive an introductory flight certificate that can be used at more than 1,900 participating flight schools, including 10 on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island.

"I think the Be A Pilot program is a fantastic thing," said George Hanzawa, founder of George's Aviation Services Inc., a participating flight school in Honolulu.

For details and a list of participating flight schools, visit www.beapilot.com or call (888) 232-7456.