What's Up!

CONCERT: Dec. 10

The Grammy-award winning Taj Mahal and his Hula Blues band head this way for a four-island tour. The former Kaua'i resident, best known for his '60s album "Giant Step," is currently promoting his latest release, "Hanapepe Dream." Tickets: $30 advance, $35 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 / Pipeline Café / 589-1999

The hips keep swaying at:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Kaua'i Memorial Theater. $25 advance, $30 at the door. (808) 337-9234.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 11, UH-Hilo Theater. $30 advance, $35 at the door. (808) 974-7310, (808) 896-4845.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, $30, $35 and $40. (808) 242-7469.

CONCERT: Dec. 11

Rock on and punk out during the 5th annual Punk on a Rock bash. This year's music fest features six Mainland bands ready to bring down the house: Guttermouth, Mad Caddies, Death by Stereo, The Briefs, right, ASG and Drowning Adam. Tickets are $18.

• 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 / Pipeline Café / www.punkonarock.com

HOLIDAYS: Dec. 11-12

Christmas isn't Christmas without Jolly Ol' St. Nick, so see what happens when The Sounds of Aloha Chorus presents "Christmas Without Santa? (Santa's Being Outsourced)." Santa robots set out to replace the real Santa Claus, who isn't happy about the change. Will the evil plan succeed? The Tropichords and The Pacific Trades also appear. Tickets: $15.

• 7:34 p.m. Dec. 11 and 4:04 Dec. 12 / Paliku Theatre / 262-7664

OPERA: Dec. 18-19

Hawai'i Opera Theatre rings in the holidays with the annual Christmas favorite "Amahl and the Night Visitors," below. Members of the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio perform the opera in English, relaying the story of how a poor crippled shepherd boy and his mother are visited by the three kings. Charles Mukaida plays Amahl and Mary Chesnut Hicks is his mother. Tickets are $10 general and $5 students.

• 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 18-19 / First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, Hale Ohana / 596-7858

CONCERT: Dec. 18

Surf's up at Kualoa Ranch as the Bud Light Surfest brings in national recording acts New Found Glory, The Vandals and Yellowcard. Also riding in on the swell will be Rise Against, Over It and National Product. There's a skate ramp and surf village, too. Tickets are $18 advance and $22 at the door. Gates open at 10 a.m. for this all-ages show.

• 11 a.m. Dec. 18 / Kualoa Ranch / 922-5444, 266-6730

CONCERT: Dec. 19

The Makaha Sons take us for an enchanting ride during "A Magical Christmas." This holiday dinner concert features the harmonious trio, along with Natalie Kamau'u, A'i, Raiatea Helm, Robi Kahakalau, Pili'oha and Chinky Mahoe with Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula. Augie T. emcees. Tickets are $55 for adults, $27.50 children ages 5-10 and $100 for Gold Circle seating.

• 5 p.m. Dec. 19 / Renaissance Ilikai Hotel Pacific Ballroom / 944-6372

CONCERT: Dec. 21-Jan. 2

Get ready to make some noise this holiday season as the fun-for-all stage show "Stomp" returns. This whirlwind of sounds, sights and smiles features an eight-member troupe using all types of "everyday" instruments for a percussion orchestra unlike any other, including garbage cans, brooms, hubcaps and matchboxes. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 for the Dec. 21-23, 26-29 and 7 p.m. Jan. 2 shows. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50 for all other performances. Students, seniors and military receive a $5 discount. Groups of 20 or more receive a 10 percent discount on all shows except those on Friday and Saturday nights, 732-7733.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 21-23, 25, 27-29 and 31; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 2; 5 and 9 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

STAGE: Dec. 27-Jan. 2

"Grease" is the word this holiday season as the smash hit musical takes up residence for 10 performances. Those hopelessly devoted to the folks at Rydell High won't want to miss out as this fabulous '50s play brings back classic ditties such as "We Go Together" and "You're the One That I Want." Real-life '50s icon Frankie Avalon returns as Teen Angel, with Derek Keeling as Danny Zuko and Tiana Checchia as Sandy Dumbrowski. Tickets are $44 and $64 for weeknight and Sunday night shows, and $54 and $74 for all other performances.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27-Dec. 30, 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31, 2 and 8 pm. Jan. 1 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Celebrate the coming of 2005, local-style, at Ho'omaka Hou 2005 (The New Beginnings), the holiday Hawaiian 'ukulele concert that's in its eighth year. This year's lineup includes The Makaha Sons, Robi Kahakalau, below, Kanilau and Halau Na Mamo 'O Ka'ala, Herb Ohta Jr., Opihi Pickers, Kelly Boy DeLima and 'Pena Boy DeLima, and Kapena. Billy V and Mihoko Taylor emcee. Tickets are $85 show only and $225 dinner and show.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 31 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / 931-8383

CONCERT: Dec. 31

Wayne Newton, right, rings in the new year in Honolulu. The musician/singer/actor is a long-time headliner in Las Vegas showrooms. Seating prices are $85 general, $110 silver, $160 gold and $195 platinum. Admission includes the concert, party favors, half bottle of sparkling wine, one standard cocktail, tax and tip.

• 9 p.m. Dec. 31 / Hilton Hawaiian Village / 947-7877

COMEDY: Dec. 31

Take a peek into Howie's world when comedian Howie Mandel, right, stops by to help welcome in the new year. Mandel, who created the hit cartoon "Bobby's World," has also hosted his own talk show, "The Howie Mandel Show," and appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Live with Regis and Kelly." Tickets: $35 for the early show and $45 for the late show.

• 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 / Renaissance Ilikai Hotel / (877) 750-4400

Also: Mandel keeps the audience in stitches at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45. (808) 242-7469.

HOT DATES

• Dec. 18 Hollertronix (DJs Diplo and Low Budget), Indigo
• Dec. 18-19 "Immersed in the Bowl of Light: A Christmas Celebration," Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu, with kumu Sonny Ching, in concert, Hawai'i Theatre
• Dec. 19 Bank of Hawaii Free Sunday: Keiki Christmas, Honolulu Academy of Arts
• Dec. 22 Beethoven's Ninth, with the Honolulu Symphony, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Dec. 23 "Natural Vibrations' 1st Annual Christmas Party," Hawaiian Hut
• Jan. 7-9 New Shanghai Circus, Hawai'i Theatre
• Jan. 21-22 Pilobolus dance company, Hawai'i Theatre
• Jan. 28-29 "An Enchanting Evening of Stories and Song," Carol Channing in concert, Hawai'i Theatre

COMING UP

Joe Cocker on Maui

Raspy-voiced rock legend Joe Cocker is heading for a Maui-only gig, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Food and drinks will be available from 5:30 p.m. at the Yokouchi Founders Court. Cocker is known for his unique versions of "A Little Help From My Friends," "Delta Lady," "The Letter" and "You Are So Beautiful." Tickets are $38, $48 and $58. (808) 242-7469.

Kadomatsu sale

A fund-raiser sale of kadomatsu, the traditional Japanese symbol of prosperity and longevity for the new year, is the second annual effort by the Men's Leadership of Hawaii Foundation. The nonprofit organization of carpenters, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers and others engages in community-service projects and is committed to leadership by example. An 18-inch tall kadomatsu costs $25 (tax deductible); send a check and stamped, self-addressed envelope to MLH Hawaii Foundation, PMB #148, 98-1277 Ka'ahumanu St., 'Aiea HI 96701. A ticket will be mailed back; pickup of the kadomatsu is from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Kawananakoa Middle School parking lot. 261-9342.

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.