What's Up!

The all-male comic ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, right, 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. 25

It'll be three times the fun when Orange County band Thrice hits these shores. The punk pop quartet formed in 1998 with guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue, guitarist Teppei Teranishi, bassist Eddie Breckenridge, and drummer Riley Breckenridge, going on garner success with the albums "The Illusion of Safety" and "The Artist in the Ambulance." Tickets: $16.50.

7 p.m. Jan. 25 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Jan. 28

Heads up, Parrotheads! "Margaritaville" is heading for Honolulu via the ever-popular Jimmy Buffett, right. 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. 29

Hawai'i will have something to talk about when Grammy-award winning, rocking guitarist/singer and totally cool Bonnie Raitt, right, lands here. But wait: Blues fans will be in heaven when blues master Robert Cray, 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.

CONCERT: Jan. 30, Feb. 1 and 3

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its 2004 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 Wolfgang Müeller-Lorenz 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

STAGE: Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 14 and 21

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth brings back "New Kid," the heralded comedy about prejudice and bullying. First seen in 1999, Canadian playwright Dennis Foon's story focuses on a boy who leaves his homeland for a new country and has to adapt to a different way of life. Harry Wong III directs this play, which is recommended for ages 7 and older. Tickets are $12 adults, $6 for youths and seniors, and free for children 2 and under. The 4:30 p.m. performance on Feb. 21 will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and 14 at Leeward Community College Theatre / 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Paliku Theatre / 839-9885

CONCERT: Jan. 31

Heralded as one of the most impressive jazz vocalists to come from the 1990s, blues singer Karrin Allyson, right, is set to serenade us with her expressive talents and tender voice. Her latest release from Concord Records, "In Blue," came as a much-anticipated follow-up to her 2001 album that garnered two Grammy nominations, "Ballads — Remembering John Coltrane." Tickets are $30 general and $28 for students, seniors and Honolulu Academy of Arts members.

7 p.m. Jan. 31 / Doris Duke Theatre / 532-8700

STAGE: Feb. 6-15

Kennedy Theatre's season on the mainstage continues with "Betty's Summer Vacation" by contemporary playwright Christopher Durang. University of Hawai'i-Manoa alumna Betty Burdick is guest director. This dark comedy takes a look at reality TV and America's obsession with its sensationalist nature. Tickets are $15 general, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students and $3 UHM students. The Feb. 7 show will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

8 p.m. Feb. 6-7, 12-14 and 2 p.m. Feb. 15 / Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

STAGE: Feb. 6-22

Diamond Head Theatre follows up a stellar run of "Peter Pan" with Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus." Set in the 18th century, this comedy follows the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, right, the young prodigy who challenges Antonio Salieri's reputation as the most famous composer in Vienna. Tickets are $12-$42.

8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Feb. 6-22 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

COMING UP:

• "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
• "The Vagina Monologues," Feb. 15, Hawai'i Theatre
• "Get Back!" tribute to the Beatles, Feb. 20-22, Hawai'i Theatre
• The Brothers Cazimero, March 12, Hawai'i Theatre
• Na Palapalai, April 23, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Tigers roar: Calling all McKinley High School alumni who love to sing! You have until Wednesday to enter the hunt for the 24 top vocalists who'll compete in the McKinley Alumni Association's 3rd Annual Karaoke Challenge, which takes place April 17. Proceeds from the challenge go to the association's scholarship and special projects fund. Call Tom Katsuyoshi at 949-5659 to enter.

Blue on blue: Blues fans should mark their calendars for this lineup Thursdays at O'Tooles in downtown Honolulu:

• Jan. 15: Northside Art, 5-9 p.m., David Lamar Project, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
• Jan. 22: Larry Spalding, 5-9 p.m., The Mighty Pin, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
• Jan. 29: Northside Art, 5-9 p.m., David Lamar Project, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

"Chicago" in Honolulu: You loved the Oscar-winning movie, now see "Chicago" on stage at Mamiya Theatre, a production of the Saint Louis Players and ladies from Castle, Iolani, Kaiser, Kamehameha, Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, La Pietra, Punahou, Roosevelt and Sacred Hearts Academy. Benefit night is March 5, with heavy pupu and cocktails 5:30-7:30 p.m., curtain at 7:30 p.m.), $100. Call 739-4862. Other performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, March 6-14; $18 general, $12 military, seniors and students. Call 739-4896.

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.