What's Up!

STAGE: Dec. 27-Jan. 2

"Grease" is the word this holiday season as the smash hit musical, left, 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

Get ready for a hot New Year's Eve celebration as punk-reggae band Pepper, below, prepares to spice up the night. The Skullconut Bangers Ball tour takes the boys all around the Islands, with the final stop in Honolulu to ring in 2005. Originally from Kona, the group's hits "Ashes" and "Give It Up" helped propel the boys to become a national success. Joining them will be local sensations Go Jimmy Go, Natural Vibrations and Black Square. Tickets: $29.50.

• 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

The tour also travels to:

• 6:30 p.m. Dec. 28, Kukui Grove Pavilion on Kaua'i. With K-2 and The Highlanderz.
• 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. With Gomega and Absence of Void.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Sangha Hall in Hilo. With Arena Productions.

Advance tickets: $17.50. (877) 750-4400

STAGE: Jan. 6-Feb. 5

Kumu Kahua Theatre next offers "David Carradine Not Chinese," a work by local playwright Darrell H.Y. Lum. This comedy about racial stereotypes takes a look at contemporary Hawai'i and 20th-century American media, including Charlie Chan movies, the TV series "Kung Fu" and the "Ed Sullivan Show." John H.Y. Wat directs. Tickets, on sale Dec. 20, are $5-$16.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 6-Feb. 5 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / 536-4441

STAGE: Jan. 7-9

See acrobatic feats like never before when the New Shanghai Circus, right, drops by for a series of shows around the state. Children and adults perform side by side, showcasing their flexible prowess, artful balancing skills and awesome contortion ability. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 general and $15 for seniors, children and military.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2 p.m. Jan. 9 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

Also, the circus tumbles over to the Neighbor Islands:

• 1:30 and 4 p.m. Jan. 2, Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall. Tickets: $30 golden circle, $20 general, $9.95 children 12 and younger.
• 4 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Kahilu Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $30 golden circle, $20 general, $8.50 children 12 and younger. (808) 885-6868.
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, Hilo Civic Auditorium. Tickets: $17.50 adult, $8.50 children 12 and younger.

CONCERTS: Jan. 7 and 9

The Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season continues with the passionate program "Romeo and Juliet — Berlioz, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev," filled with masterpieces based on Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. The concerts include selections from "Romeo and Juliet" by Berlioz, Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy by Tchaikovsky and selections from "Romeo and Juliet" by Prokofiev. Samuel Wong conducts. Tickets: $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 7 and 4 p.m. Jan. 9 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

STAGE: Jan. 8

Master puppeteer Jim Gamble and his vibrant puppets are back for a whirlwind of fun with "Circus!" Recommended for ages 3 and older. Tickets, on sale Jan. 3, are $10 general, $9 seniors, military and UH faculty, $8 non-UH Manoa students and children, $3 UH-Manoa students.

• 7 p.m. Jan. 8 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

STAGE: Jan. 12-30

Manoa Valley Theatre continues its 36th season with the comedy "Over the Tavern." Written by Tom Dudzik, the heartwarming play follows 12-year-old Rudy Pazinski as he shops around to choose a religion. Tickets are $25, with a $5 discount for military and seniors. Those 25 and younger pay $15.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Jan. 12-30 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

FESTIVAL: Jan. 15

The Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce presents the fourth year of its annual Korean Festival. Take a trip to the Far East without leaving the Islands by experiencing the sights, sounds and sustenance of Korea. The festival's theme is "See, Taste, Listen Korea," so enjoy the traditional and contemporary Korean music and dance, cooking demonstrations, make-n-take arts and crafts, cultural exhibits and food from local Korean restaurants. Admission is free.

• 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 15 / Kapi'olani Park / 275-3011

CONCERT: Jan. 12

General Public will take you there, as the two-tone ska band comes together again, fronted by Dave Wakeling, above. An offshoot of the '80s British band English Beat, the quirky and energetic group offered hits such as "Tenderness" and "Come Again." Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door, for 18 and older. Doors open at 7 p.m.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 12 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

HOT DATES

• Jan. 14, 16 Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, Wave Waikiki
• Jan. 21 Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band, jazz, Orvis Auditorium; and Jan. 22 at Paliku 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
• Jan. 28-Feb 6 "Luck and Loss: Manandin's Gamble," traditional Indonesian randai, Kennedy Theatre
• Feb. 24-March 12 "Miss Saigon," an Army Community Theatre production, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Feb. 28 k.d. lang in concert, Waikiki Shell
• April 29-May 8 Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance," Blaisdell Concert Hall

BUZZING ABOUT

Lisa Loeb on Maui

Singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist Lisa Loeb is giving a concert in January, but you have to be on Maui to hear it. She plans to debut songs from her new album, her fifth, titled "The Way It Really Is," at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's McCoy Studio Theater Jan. 23; show time is 7:30 p.m. (food and drinks will be available from 5:30 p.m.) Tickets are $28. Loeb exploded on the music scene in 1993 with her No. 1 single "Stay (I Missed You)," which was part of the soundtrack to the movie "Reality Bites." (808) 242-7469.

Tower of Power on Big Island

Legendary funk/rock band Tower of Power is offering a New Year's Eve extravaganza, but you have to be on the Big Island (the Hilton Waikoloa Village, to be exact) to see it. Tickets — including dinner, champagne, drinks, tax and tip — are $200 general, $150 children 12 and younger for Silver Seating; $275 and $200 for Gold Seating (Platinum Seating tickets are sold out). Seating begins at 8 p.m., dinner is at 8:30 p.m., and the party goes on until 1 a.m. Attire is black tie, evening resort wear, or "funk style" of the Tower of Power period (no beach wear, please). (808) 886-1234.

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.