What's Up!

January film premieres 1 | 7 "White Noise" 1 | 14 "Coach Carter," "Elektra," "In Good Company," "Racing Stripes" 1 | 19 "Assault on Precinct 13" 1 | 28 "Alone in the Dark," starring Christian Slater, above; "Hide and Seek"

"A Raisin in the Sun," left, the groundbreaking drama about a 1950s black family in Chicago's South Side, is being presented by The Actors' Group. Written by Lorraine Hansberry, the play follows the struggles of the Younger family. It recently was revived on Broadway and starred Phylicia Rashad and Sean Combs (also known as P. Diddy). The TAG production ensemble includes, from left, Della Graham and Trevor Graham. Tickets are $10.

• Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, continues at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 13 / The Yellow Brick Studio, 625 Keawe St. / 722-6941

FESTIVAL: Jan. 9

The New Year's 'Ohana Festival, below, celebrates family fun while welcoming 2005, the Year of the Rooster. This year's bash features a diverse array of food booths, multicultural entertainment, art displays and demonstrations, a craft fair, Things Japanese sale, antiques, book sale, games, rides and make-n-take crafts for kids. A free trolley will run between the UH-Manoa parking structure and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i during the fair. Admission is free.

• 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 9 / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field / 945-7633

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

CONCERT: Jan. 12

General Public will take you there, as the two-tone ska band comes together again, fronted by Dave Wakeling. 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

DANCE: Jan. 21-22

Ballet Hawaii's 2004-05 season continues with the colorful arrival of Pilobolus, right. The contemporary dance company blends dance, acrobatics and living sculpture for a whimsical and amusing show full of flexibility, gracefulness and creativity. Tickets: $25, $35 and $45, with discounts for students, seniors and military.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 21-22 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Jan. 21-22

Jazz great Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band promises a booming good time. It'll be an explosion of music and fun as Hayes, known as the "architect of post-bop modern jazz," brings down the house along with Vincent Herring on sax, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano and Vincent Archer on bass. Tickets are $20 general, $15 military, seniors, students, UH faculty and staff, and $10 UH-Manoa and Windward Community College students.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 / UH-Manoa, Orvis Auditorium / 944-2697, 956-8246
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 / Windward Community College, Paliku Theatre / 944-2697, 956-8246

OPERA: Jan. 28-Feb. 1

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its 2005 season with Richard Wagner's somber "The Flying Dutchman." This dramatic opera follows a cursed sea captain as he searches for true love in order to find redemption. Randy Locke is Erik, with Lori Phillips as Senta. Henry G. Akina directs. English supertitles will be projected above the stage. Tickets: $42-$100.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 28, 4 p.m. Jan. 30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 596-7858

CONCERT: Jan. 28-29

The ever-fascinating, always mesmerizing Carol Channing, left, is back for a one-woman show, "An Enchanting Evening of Stories and Song." The singer-actress will share musical ditties and offer anecdotes from the popular shows and films that made her a star. Tickets: $35 and $50.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-29 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

STAGE: Jan. 28-Feb. 6

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance next offers the folk play, "Luck and Loss: Manandin's Gamble," right. In a world exclusive, this traditional Indonesian Randai dance/drama has been translated into English by director Kirstin Pauka. The play showcases martial arts, dance, singing, music and percussion while telling a story about love, gambling and adventure. Among the cast members are Cassandra Wormser, left, and Gilbert Molina. Tickets, on sale Jan. 18, are $15 general, $12 seniors, military and UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UH-Manoa students, $3 UH-Manoa students.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 28-29, Feb. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 6 / UH-Manoa, Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

BUZZING ABOUT ...

Ladysmith on tour

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the acclaimed South African a cappella ensemble, will tour the Islands later this month and into February. Here are the details:

• 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at Leeward Community College Theatre. Tickets: $27 general, $20 students and seniors. 455-0385.
• 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Kahilu Theatre on the Big Island. Tickets: $35, $40 and $45. (808) 885-6868.
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Tickets: $20, $25. (808) 974-7310.
• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets: $10, $18 and $28. (808) 242-7469.

The group's tour coincides with the Jan. 25 release of the CD "No Boundaries," in which the group is accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra for a combination of African and classical sounds.

Don't forget k.d. lang

Got your tickets yet for the k.d. lang concert? Better now than later! Tickets are $45 and $55, at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. The show begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Waikiki Shell. (877) 750-4400.

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.