What's Up!

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Local favorite Cruisin' and bluesin' for a good time All aboard the Navatek I: The second KIPO Blues Cruise hits the water Feb. 28, with opening band Jeff Said No! with Bluzilla and guest singer Keahi Conjugacion taking over afterward. The vessel leaves Pier 6 at 8:20 p.m., returning about 10:20 p.m. Music and dancing continue until about 11:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be available, too. Advance tickets are $30 general, $28 for Hawai'i Public Radio members; on-site, day-of-the event tickets are $35 and $33 (plus taxes/fees). Reservations: 973-1311; or in person at Navatek's Pier 6 office, where the higher fees are in effect. There's a pre-cruise party, too, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at Hooter's.

Enjoy the songs of Irving Berlin at Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center's spring production, "The Melody Lingers On" (that's Shawna Masuda and Royce Okazaki at right). The musical features the life story and classic songs of award-winning composer Berlin, a Russian immigrant who died in 1989 after contributing a wealth of American pop standards. Tickets are $8 general and $5 children, seniors and students with ID. Preschool-aged children and younger are free. Tickets for Alumni Night, which will be March 6, are $10 for adults and seniors and $5 for children and students.

• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28, March 5-6 and 3 p.m. March 7 / Kaimuki High School Auditorium / 733-4913

STAGE: Feb. 28-March 20

"Dis/Troy," right, an adaptation of Homer's epic poem "The Iliad," is the next production of Honolulu Theatre for Youth. The play, by Yokanaan Kearns, is given a contemporary spin for contemporary youths, with issues such as anger, jealousy and maturity. Tickets are $12 general, $6 youths 18 and younger and seniors over 60; aimed for those 10 and older.

• 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 6, 13, 20 / Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral / 839-9885

CONCERT: March 1

Former Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando makes his way to Waikiki as part of Hawaiian Express' monthlong ninth anniversary celebration. After the alternative-rock band broke up in 1997, Dando broke away to tour as a solo acoustic artist. Local rock band The Crud opens. Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door.

• 7:30 p.m. March 1 / Tabu Nightclub / www.808shows.com

DANCE: March 11-13

Heiva I Honolulu 2004 is the second annual Tahitian dance competition, music and cultural event, presented by Tahiti Nui International. A Mr. and Miss Tahiti Nui International will be chosen, and troupes will compete in solo and group categories. Tickets are $11 general, $15 pool area each day, available at the Blaisdell box office and the Waikiki Shell two hours before show time.

• 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. March 11-13 / Waikiki Shell / 732-7342

STAGE: March 11-14

Get ready to be wowed by the likes of Chi, right, a dazzling production of strength and balance from Shanghai. The 40-member company of acrobats, martial artists, aerial gymnasts, dancers, tumblers and jugglers comes to Honolulu during its first U.S. tour. Tickets are $18-$48, with a $10 discount for students, seniors and military. American Express cardholders get $5 off the adult ticket prices.

• 7:30 p.m. March 11-13 and 2 p.m. March 14 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: March 19-20

The planets will be perfectly aligned in the historic Hawai'i Theatre when "Mareka Me Venuse" ("Mars and Venus"), left, takes the stage. The season opener for Peter Rockford Espiritu's Tau Dance Theatre, the show will combine two of his annual productions — "Men Dancing" and "Ladies Night Out" — into one stellar show. The cast includes Sonny Ching and Halau Na Mamo 'O Pu'uanahulu, Cocoa Chandelier and Co., Sing Sing Bliss Chinese Dance Company and Andrea Torres from 'Ualena. Musical treats from Makana, Kaumaka'iwa Kanaka'ole, Hala'i and the Pua Melia Trio are expected as well. Tickets are $8-$23.

• 7:30 p.m. March 19-20 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

FAMILY TIES: March 19

Come find Nemo and help celebrate the 100th birthday of that local gem, the Waikiki Aquarium, left. Headlining the centennial bash will be the Makaha Sons. The festivities include a mini-tasting fair with food samples from Honolulu restaurants and a birthday cake presentation with past and present aquarium directors. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 general, $14 ages 7-12 and free for children 6 and younger. Tickets are $20 adults and $10 juniors for Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium members. Scrip for food tasting will be sold at the event. Proceeds benefit the aquarium programs and exhibits.

• 6:30-9 p.m. March 19 / Waikiki Aquarium / 923-9741

CONCERT: March 20

Island 98.5's popular Bomb Bucha concert is back in a big way. This year's star-studded performance roster includes Ten Feet, Natural Vibrations, B.E.T., Three Plus, Inoa'ole, One Drop and Opihi Pickers, plus others to be announced. Tickets range from $16 to $26.

• 4 p.m. March 20 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

COMING UP:

• "The Merry Widow," a Hawaii Opera Theatre production, Feb. 27, 29, March 2, 4, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• The Brothers Cazimero, March 12, Hawai'i Theatre
• Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, with the Honolulu Symphony, March 19, 21, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, April 2-3, Hawai'i Theatre
• blink-182, April 3 at Blaisdell Arena, April 4 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• Na Palapalai, April 23, Hawai'i Theatre
• David Benoit and Michael Paulo, with the Honolulu Sym-phony Pops, April 9-10, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• May Day Concert with The Brothers Cazimero, May 1, Waikiki Shell
• Toto, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, May 7-8, Blaisdell Concert Hall

BUZZING ABOUT:

The envelope, please: Na Hoku Hanohano Awards' Lifetime Achievement winners will be honored March 14 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The annual Hoku evening will take place May 24 at a new location, the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom ... And the Hawai'i Music Awards' People's Choice voting is under way, at hawaiimusicawards.com, with winners to be named some time in March, followed by an awards ceremonies April 4 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Tropics showroom.

Cry Woolf: You've seen the movie version, perhaps, but to really get up close and personal with Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" the Army Community Theatre's Readers Theatre production — at 2 p.m. Feb. 29, March 7 and 14 on the main stage at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter — should be something of a revelation. Jo Pruden (Martha), Richard Pellet (George), Russell Mottr (Nick) and Shari Lynn (Honey) will lead the brigade — and assault on the emotions. Or, as director Vanita Rae Smith says of "Woolf": "(It) pioneered assassinations of the psychic and introduced dysfunctional relationships before both became popular" in the performing arts. TV characters have been shouting at each other since.

The Bright stuff: Just when you think "retired" Ron Bright is off the radar ... comes word that he's directing the Castle Performing Arts Company's production of "Cinemagic," premiering Feb. 27 at the Bright Theatre at Castle High School. Kind of like going back to where it all started.

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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.