What's Up!

september film premieres 9/1 "Vanity Fair" 9/3 "The Cookout," "Paparazzi," "Wicker Park" (above, starring Josh Hartnett) 9/10 "Cellular," "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" 9/17 "Mr. 3000," "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," "Wimbledon" 9/24 "The Forgotten"

The 4th annual Windward Ho'olaule'a hopes to draw 25,000 attendees to attractions that include an appearance by Olympian Bryan Clay, entertainment (hula, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Natural Vibrations, Ledward Ka'apana and others), food booths, crafts, native-Hawaiian plant sale, keiki activities and exhibits. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 4 / Windward Community College / 235-7396, 235-7433

CONCERT: Sept. 10-11

The Grammy-nominated Honolulu Symphony Pops bursts upon its seventh season of the Hawaiian Airlines Pops Series with jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The multi-Grammy award winner's energetic styles and swift techniques make a concert with him an adventure for all. Rocky Brown opens, and Matt Catingub conducts. Tickets are $25, $35, $45, $55 and $70.

• 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

FESTIVAL: Sept. 10, 11, 17

The vibrantly scent-sational 2004 Aloha Festivals gears up for its annual whirlwind of fun. Highlights:

Traditional chant and hula highlight the opening ceremony, which kicks off the six-week, six Island celebration. The O'ahu Royal Court gathers on the grounds of the sole royal palace in the United States. Free.

• 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 / 'Iolani Palace / 589-1771

It's fun for all as the Aloha Festivals starts partying with the Downtown Ho'olaule'a. Honolulu's business district lets loose with contemporary Hawaiian entertainment, activities and food. Admission is free.

• 6:30-10 p.m. Sept. 10 / Bishop Street / 589-1771

Flowers, colors and music abound at the annual Floral Parade, which includes pa'u riders, floats, hula halau and marching bands. Free.

• 9 a.m. Sept. 11 / from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park / 589-1771

The Sheraton hotels celebrate by hosting the 10th edition of the popular Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto contest. Amateur male performers ages 18 and older compete by singing stories of Hawaiian culture in the upper registers of the musical scale. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 11 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / 931-8178

Party hearty at the sprawling Waikiki Ho'olaule'a with entertainment stages, food booths and lei vendors. Admission is free.

• 7-10:30 p.m. Sept. 17 / Kalakaua Avenue / 589-1771

CONCERT: Sept. 13

Chamber Music Hawaii gears up for its 2004-2005 season with resident ensembles Galliard String Quartet, below, Honolulu Brass Quintet and Spring Wind Quintet, along with guest artists pianist Jon Nakamatsu and soprano Lea Woods Friedman. The new season features 18 concert programs, with eight shows each at the Paliku and Doris Duke theaters plus two special concerts at the Doris Duke Theatre (Chamber Music Hawaii, which has performed concerts at the Honolulu Academy of Arts for more than 20 years, has been named the museum's "artists in residence" for 2004-05). The season kicks off with two performances featuring the Galliard String Quartet. Tickets are $20 general, and $15 for seniors and free for students in grades K-12.

• 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Paliku Theatre / 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Doris Duke Theatre / 524-0815, ext. 245

STAGE: Sept. 17-26

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre mainstage comes alive for the 2004-2005 season with Lisa Matsumoto's musical "How Da B-52 Cockroach Learned to Fly." The play is an adaptation of Matsumoto's popular children's book, which features the adventures of Kimo the cockroach. Tamara Hunt-Montgomery directs. Tickets: $15 general, $12 seniors, military and UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students and children, and $3 UHM students.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 17-18 and 25, 4 p.m. Sept. 18 and 25 and 2 p.m. Sept. 19 and 26 / Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

CONCERT: Sept. 17

A Celtic celebration in the great outdoors is in store, as the Old Blind Dogs, right, come to town packing their raucous reels and soulful ballads. One of Scotland's beloved folk bands, the Dogs have seen a number of member changes but have maintained a dedication to a fusion of traditional Scottish music with world music, reggae, jazz, rock and basic get-up-and-dance grooves. Tickets: $17 general, $12 advance; for 21 and older.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 17 / Kaka'ako Waterfront Park / 271-9140

Also: Jim Malcolm, Old Blind Dogs' lead singer/guitarist, offers solo performances 8:30 and 10 p.m. Sept. 16 at O'Toole's Irish Pub (902 Nu'uanu Ave.; 536-4138). No cover charge.

STAGE: Sept. 24-Oct. 10

"Anything Goes" for Diamond Head Theatre, which jumps right into its 90th anniversary and 2004-2005 season with the popular Cole Porter musical. This romantic comedy full of love affairs and identity mix-ups on a cruise liner is enjoying a revival in London and has won multiple Tony Awards. Classic favorites include "I Get a Kick Out of You," " Bon Voyage" and "It's De-Lovely." John Rampage directs and choreographs. Tickets are $12-$42.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Sept. 24-Oct. 10 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

FESTIVAL: Sept. 25

Get your fill of food and fun at the Rotary Club of Kapolei's 5th annual Taste of Kapolei, right, which offers tasty treats, entertainment, beer and wine stations and a fireworks display. Participating restaurants this year include Roy's at Ko Olina, BluWater Grill, Buca di Beppo, Canoe's at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Restaurant, Marbella and Zaffron. Entertainment includes Halau Hula Olana, Rolando Sanchez and Salsa Hawaii and Sonya Mendez and the Groove. Tickets are $60 advance and $75 after Sept. 17. The event is a benefit for Kapolei and Leeward students.

• 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 25 / Ko Olina Resort & Marina, 4th Lagoon / 275-3010, (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Sept. 28-30

You followed it week by week, nervously waiting to see who would get the ax next. Now see your American Idols live in concert over three days as the youngsters you propelled to stardom perform for you on stage. Ten of the top 12 finalists will be there, including Island sweethearts Camile Velasco and Jasmine Trias. Tickets are $48.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 28-30 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

BUZZING ABOUT:

Jem in concert Oct. 2

• Welsh songstress/electronica maven Jem gives a concert Oct. 2 at Wave Waikiki. Tickets — $12.50 — go on sale tomorrow at Ticketmaster outlets, Blaisdell box office, ticketmaster.com and at (877) 750-4400.

Food and grooves on Maui

• Foodies and music fans are in for a treat on the Valley Isle: The Taste of Lahaina and The Best of Island Music festival takes place Sept. 10-11 at the Lahaina Recreation Center Park II. More than three dozen eateries, including Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bark, Pioneer Inn Bar & Grill, Roy's Kihei, Lahaina Fish Co. and a number of newcomers, will offer their ware. Tapa Groove, Noland Conjugacion, Kapena, Nuff Sedd and Ho'onu'a are among the entertainers. Admission is $5; free for kids under 12. You'll need scrip to purchase food and drink. (808) 667-9175.

Tales to tell

• The 16th annual Talk Story Festival takes place Oct. 15-17 at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park. The themes: Spooky Stories Oct. 15, Love Stories Oct. 16, Tales of Courage Oct. 17. Hours are 7-9:30 p.m.; gates open at 6 p.m. It's all free. There's also a free storytelling workshop 1-4 p.m. Oct. 17.

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.