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Advertiser Staff

Local favorite: Welcoming the new year in Mo'ili'ili

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i is celebrating the new year and the Islands' wealth of diversity at the New Year's 'Ohana Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Mo'ili'ili Field and on the JCCH grounds.

The theme of the annual festival is "Celebrating the Multicultural Traditions of Hawai'i." Attractions include food from top restaurants, cultural demonstrations, crafts, make-and-take activities for kids, and Extreme Fun Rental rides. There's entertainment, too, including taiko, Okinawan lion dance, Korean dance and drumming and the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii.

Admission is free. 945-7633.

STAGE: Jan. 9-11

Here's another chance to catch the awesome acrobatics of the New Shanghai Circus as the world-renowned troupe returns to the Islands. Watch as their agile forms twist and turn into jaw-dropping positions and perform mystifying feats. This show, "Mongolian Dreams," also includes a Mongolian strongman and the Mongolian archers, who fire arrows with their feet while hanging upside down. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 for adults; $15 and $20 for seniors, military and those 12 and younger.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 9-10 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 10-11 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

The Shanghai troupe will also be at:

• Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theatre at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 and 2 and 7 p.m. Jan 3. Tickets are $10, $16 and $22 for adults. (808) 242-7469.
• Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Jan. 4. Tickets are $20 adults, $9.95 children 12 and younger, and $30 for Golden Circle.
• Kealakehe High School gymnasium in Kona at 7 p.m. Jan. 5. Tickets are $17.50 adults and $7.50 children 12 and younger.
• Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on the Big Island at 7 p.m. Jan. 6. Tickets are $20 general, $7.50 children 12 and younger and $30 Golden Circle. (808) 885-6868.
• Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo at 7 p.m. Jan. 8. Tickets are $17.50 general and $7.50 children 12 and younger.
  
  
  

CONCERT: Jan. 29

Hawai'i will have something to talk about when Grammy-award winning, rocking guitarist/singer and totally cool Bonnie Raitt, left, lands here. But wait: Blues fans will be in heaven when blues master Robert Cray, right, along with the Robert Cray Band, hit the stage, too. Tickets: $25 lawn/general admission, $35 and $45 upper terrace and $55 pool/lower terrace.

6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

Also: Raitt and the Robert Cray Band perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. Tickets: $37, $45 and $55. (808) 242-7469.

STAGE: Jan. 10

Delight in the magical world of puppetry when Jim Gamble, left, brings his famous marionettes back to life for one show. Presented by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance, "Jim Gamble and his Puppets: The Wonderful World of Puppets" showcases beautifully designed marionettes as they interact with the audience and perform mischievous deeds. Tickets: $10 general, $9 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $7 children, non-UHM students and $3 UHM students.

7 p.m. Jan. 10 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

CONCERT: Jan. 10

Legendary rock bands Chicago and America come together for one special night in Honolulu. Chicago's timeless rock songs have transcended airwaves across the nation since the 1960s, with hits such as "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "Hard Habit to Break" and "You're the Inspiration." America is best known for songs including "Horse with No Name," "Muskrat Love" and "Only in Your Heart." Tickets are $49 and $59.

8 p.m. Jan. 10 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Jan. 14

The man with the golden voice is set to steal hearts again when he returns to the Islands. Over a career that spans five decades, Tony Bennett is best known for his signature hit, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," although later albums have garnered him a younger audience as well. Tickets: $55 and $75.

8 p.m. Jan. 14 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

Also: Bennett performs at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater Tickets: $35, $55, $75, $95. (808) 242-7469.

COMEDY: Jan. 15-16

Comic Paula Poundstone, left, brings her national tour, "Unauthorized Biography," to our shores. Her humorous take on the world around us has garnered her numerous awards, including two Cable ACE Awards, Best Female Stand-up at the American Comedy Awards and a local Emmy. Tickets: $20 general, $25 table seating.

8 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16 / Pipeline Café / 926-3000

Also: Poundstone also appears at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. (808) 242-7469.

DANCE: Jan. 23-24

The all-male comic ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo makes its Hawai'i debut in the new year with two performances downtown. The company's playful and humorous twist on classical ballet places men in both the female and male roles onstage. The troupe has toured internationally to more than 500 cities. Tickets: $25, $40 and $55.

8 p.m. Jan. 23-24 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Jan. 28

Heads up, Parrotheads! "Margaritaville" is heading for Honolulu via the ever-popular Jimmy Buffett. Always an Island favorite, the musician/actor/journalist/author returns with old favorites and the Coral Reefer Band. Tickets: $35 general/lawn and $75 reserved.

7 p.m. Jan. 28 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Jan. 30, Feb. 1 and 3

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its 2004 Grand Opera Season, themed "Songs of Love and War," with Verdi's "Otello." Based on a Shakespearan tragedy, the dramatic tale follows a man's downward spiral in life due to jealousy. The show is directed by Henry Akina, conducted by Ivan Törzs and starring Sergei Nayda as Otello and Gary Simpson as Iago. Tickets: $29-$100.

8 p.m. Jan. 30, 4 p.m. Feb. 1 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 596-7858

Coming up ...

• Travis Haddix, blues guitarist, Jan. 13, O'Toole's Pub
• "Opera, Broadway and Beyond," one-woman show starring Alison England, Jan. 17, Hawai'i Theatre
• Jeff Linsky, guitar virtuoso, Jan. 23, Doris Duke Theatre
• Honolulu Jazz Quartet, Jan. 23-24, The ARTS at Marks Garage
• Popcorn music festival, showcase of indie rock, Jan. 23 at University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center Ballroom, Jan. 24 at Club Pauahi
• Makaha Sons, Jan. 30, Hawai'i Theatre
• Karrin Allyson, jazz vocalist, Jan. 31, Doris Duke Theatre
• "Betty's Summer Vacation," a play by Christopher Durang, Feb. 6-15, Kennedy Theatre
• "The Vagina Monologues," Feb. 15, Hawai'i Theatre