What's Up!

Local favorite In the swing of things Get into that big-band mood with Del Courtney, his 15-piece band and guests Gabe Baltazar (above), Jimmy Borges, Shari Lynn, Paul Conrad, Martin Denny, Art Todd and Noel Okimoto. The concert takes place 4-7 p.m. Feb. 1 at 2933 Kalakaua Ave. Admission is $10. 923-5722.

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

Also: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at McCoy Studio Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $25 ($22.50 Hawai'i Public Radio members), assigned seating. (808) 242-7469

CONCERT: Jan. 30, Feb. 1 and 3

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its 2004 season with Verdi's "Otello." Based on a Shakespearan tragedy, the tale follows a man's downward spiral in life due to jealousy. The show is directed by Henry Akina, conducted by Ivan Törzs and stars Wolfgang Müeller-Lorenz as Otello, Robin Follman as Desdemona 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

CONCERT: Feb. 5

Think of it as a sort of gumbo of great string specialists and you have Fiddlers 4, right, an ensemble heading this way for concert jams. Members are Michael Doucet, leader of Cajun supergroup BeauSoleil; Darol Anger, a leading exponent of jazz-hued newgrass; Bruce Molsky, old-time fiddler; and cellist Rushad Eggleston. Tickets are $25 general, $20 seniors, students, UH faculty and staff and military

• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 / Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / 944-2697, 235-7433

Also: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $10, $25; half price for kids 12 and younger. (808) 242-7469

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. Megan Patton, left, is Betty. 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

CONCERT: Feb. 7

"Get Down Tonight" ... "That's the Way (I Like It)" ... "Shake Your Booty" ... these are among the greatest hits of disco-era legend KC (below) and The Sunshine Band, which headlines the concert and party celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pro Bowl. California surf band Papa Doo Run Run is the opening act. Tickets are $30 and $25 reserved, and $15 advance general admission.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 7 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

EXHIBIT: Feb. 7-April 18

Get ready to be swept away by Bishop Museum's newest attraction, "Savage Ancient Seas." The traveling exhibit showcases prehistoric marine creatures, huge fossils from the late Cretaceous Period and interactive hands-on activities. Go back 70 million years and walk through an ancient underwater world of carnivorous fish and gigantic sea reptiles. Check out enormous skeletons of flying reptiles, sea turtles, fossil fish, clams, ammonites and more. Admission is $14.95 adults, $11.95 children ages 4-12, seniors and military, and free for children under 4 and Bishop Museum Association members; kama'aina rates available.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Feb. 7-April 18 / Bishop Museum/ 847-3511

STAGE: Feb. 15

V-Day is back! Eve Ensler's ever-popular "Vagina Monologues" returns to Hawai'i as part of the V-Day Worldwide Campaign. This year's benefit production is presented by Girl Fest Hawaii, with a cast that includes Lois-Ann Yamanaka, Nora Okja Keller, Joy Harjo, Brenda Kwon, Selah Hope Geissler, Kasi Nunes, Elea Dumas, Cocoa Chandelier, Tanisha, Jaquie Yang and Grace Alvaro Caligtan. Luciana Tarantino will perform a dance solo and DJ Primmitiv provides the grooves. Tickets: $12-$32.

• 8 p.m. Feb. 15 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506, www.girlfesthawaii.org

Also: a reception party follows the performance from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The W Hotel, with a talk story and intro to "The Menologues," featuring the men of Hawaii Slam. Sisters in Sound and Rebel Girl Underground bring in the sounds, celebrating the return of DJ Zita. Admission is $5, or free for those with V-Day Honolulu tickets, for 21 and older.

MIXED BAG: Feb. 16

The Great Aloha Run is right around the corner, so sign up now. Register through Feb. 2 or at the Great Aloha Run Family Fitness Expo Feb. 13-15 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall; rates vary. Celebrate health, fitness and fun during the 20th anniversary of this 8.15 mile walk/run, which is followed by a party with entertainment and prizes in the stadium. The Advertiser is a sponsor of this event.

• 7-9 p.m. Feb. 16 / from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium / 528-7388, www.greataloharun.com

Also: The Great Aloha Run Family Fitness Expo is open 4-10 p.m. Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 14 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 15. There will be cooking demonstrations, health evaluations, strong-man competitions and other attractions. Admission is $4 general, $3 seniors, military and children under 7 and free for Great Aloha Run participants with coupons. 945-3594.

COMING UP:

• Makaha Sons, Jan. 30, Hawai'i Theatre
• Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, bluegrass, Feb. 6, Doris Duke Theatre
• Punahou Carnival, Feb. 6-7, Punahou School
• "Cosi Fan Tutte," a Hawaii Opera Theatre production, Feb. 13, 15, 17, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Mardi Gras Follies, Feb. 27-March 27, C Banyans Club, Pearl Harbor
• "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
• Na Palapalai, April 23, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

All that brass: Tower of Power, that hard-driving funk rock band straight out of the '70s, heads this way for a couple of concerts. The first is a Valentine's dance party, 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Blaisdell Arena (tables will replace much of the floor seating, and drinks and pupu service will be available for those tables); tickets are $55 table seating, $45 floor/riser seating; (877) 750-4400. The band then heads for a 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 gig at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; tickets are $25, $35 and $45 (some discounts for MACC members); (808) 242-7469. Honolulu tickets go on sale tomorrow at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster, including Times Super Markets. Maui tickets go on sale tomorrow, too; MACC members can buy tickets now.

On the reggae beat: Roots-rock-rapper Shinehead and reggae-rapper Sleepy Wonder will shake Don Ho's at the Aloha Tower Marketplace Jan. 31. Showtime is 10 p.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.). Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 advance. For those 21 and older. (877) 71-GROOVE or online at groovetickets.com.

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.