What's Up!

CONCERT: June 18

Rock like Roth when the Atomic Punks, including Ralph Saenz, right, head for Hawai'i for a tribute show to early Van Halen. Go back to the time of David Lee Roth with the California-based Punks, as they churn out an explosive likeness to the legendary hard-rock band. Tickets are $19; for 18 and older.

• 7 p.m. June 18 / Pipeline Café / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: June 19

The intensity is rising, the beats are pounding, which can only mean one thing: The Planet of the Drums Tour is about to drop in Honolulu. This hot drum-n-bass music festival features the jungle beats of Dieselboy, right, breakbeat sounds of AK 1200, electronica grooves of DJ Dara along with MC J-Messinian. Presale tickets are $15, for 16 and older. At the door, tickets are $20.

• 9 p.m.-2 a.m. June 19 / Studio 1 / www.groovetickets.com

CONCERT: June 24

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy the sweet summer breezes than with music under the stars? Bank of Hawaii once again presents the Moonlight Mele on the Lawn concert series on three Thursdays, featuring Na Palapalai June 24, Na Leo Pilimehana July 15 and The Makaha Sons Aug. 19. Tickets are $15 general, $10 Bank of Hawaii customers, employees and Bishop Museum members, and $5 for children ages 4-12.

• 7 p.m. June 24, July 15, Aug. 19 / Bishop Museum Great Lawn / 847-3511

FESTIVAL: June 25-27

Are you hungering for a lip-smacking, tummy-rubbing good time? Then get ready for the delicious offerings of the 13th annual Taste of Honolulu food festival. On the menu: Goodies from top local restaurants, music from two entertainment stages, chefs demonstrating cooking techniques, premiere wines at the wine-tasting center. And there's family fun at the Weinberg Family Center. Admission is $3 general and free for seniors and children 12 and younger. Scrip will be sold for tasting portions.

• 5-10 pm. June 25, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 26 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 27 / Honolulu Civic Center grounds / 536-1015

FESTIVAL: June 27

Come one, come all to the 4th annual Salsathon 2004, a Puerto Rican cultural and salsa festival celebrating El Dia de San Juan. It'll be a day of fun and food with a Taste of Salsa cook-off, Latin and local food, silent auction, Miss Salsa Pacific pageant, party jumpers, face painting, arts and crafts, salsa dance workshops and product booths. Entertainment includes Batacumbe, El Conjunto Tropical, Son Caribe, Wally Rita and his Latin Amigos, Aloha Rumberos, Dance Mix, Salsa Extreme, Dream to Dance, Salsa 101, Ray Cruz, Rod, Alberto and Latin Lady DJ Margarita. No outside food or coolers are allowed. Tickets are $5 advance, $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Hispanic Center of Hawaii.

• 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 27 / Ala Moana Park, McCoy Pavilion / 941-5216, 285-0072

CONCERT: June 25

After a successful night of dancehall reggae with Barrington Levy, Red Belly Productions gears up to do it again with a reggae concert featuring the soulful reggae grooves of Freddie McGregor, left. The Jamaica native's claims to fame include the albums "Signature" and the Grammy-nominated "Anything for You." Local bands Ooklah the Moc and Red Degree open up the night. Presale tickets are $20 general and $40 VIPs. At the door, tickets will be $30 general and $60 VIPs.

• 9 p.m. June 25 / Volcanoes Nightclub / (877) 750-4400

FESTIVAL: July 2-4

BayFest 2004 prepares for another booming good time over the Fourth of July weekend with entertainment, military displays and a nightly fireworks show. This year's featured entertainment includes singer/songwriter Liz Phair July 2, mellow rockers Train July 3 and country star Jo Dee Messina July 4. There's also an Island Lifestyle Expo, fitness challenges, water sports, car shows, carnival rides and games. No backpacks or coolers allowed. Admission details to be announced.

• 5 p.m.-2 a.m. July 2, noon-2 a.m. July 3 and noon-midnight July 4 / Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii / www.bayfesthawaii.com

CONCERT: July 3

This Fourth of July weekend, the fireworks start going off early with jazz pop band Spyro Gyra in the house. The group appears at the third annual Guitars Under the Stars event, along with local jazz star Sonya Mendez performing with the Brian Kessler Band. Besides the music, enjoy food and beverage stations, telescopes for star-gazing and a dazzling fireworks display at the end of the night. Tickets are $30 advance or $35 at the door.

• 5 p.m. July 3 / Turtle Bay Resort / 293-8811

STAGE: July 9-25

Get whisked away to a hilarious local-style fairy-tale world when 'Ohi'a Productions once again presents the award-winning musical, "Once Upon One Time." Featuring the creative genius of Lisa Matsumoto, Paul Palmore and Roslyn, the stage is set for local adaptations of classic fairy tales with characters such as Da Six Menehune, left. Tickets are $15-$35.

• 7:30 p.m. July 9, 15-16, 22-23; 3 and 7:30 pm. July 10, 17, 24; and 3 p.m. July 11, 18, 25 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

HOT DATES:

• June 26-27, July 2-3 DeJaVu — Dancexperience 18, Ron Bright Theatre
• July 9-Aug. 1 Third annual Hawai'i Shakespeare Festival, Paliku Theatre
• July 10 ArtSpree, The Contemporary Museum
• July 17 "American Brews, Blues and BBQs," Nu'uanu Avenue
• July 25 'Ukulele Festival, Kapi'olani Park bandstand
• July 30-31, Aug. 6-7 Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Hawai'i Theater and Maui
• Arts & Cultural Center
• July 31 "The Love Festival," Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
• Aug. 14 "Ka Himeni Ana," Hawai'i Theatre
• October 'Ohina: The Short Film Showcase, Honolulu Academy of Arts

BUZZING ABOUT:

Tickets on sale tomorrow for reggae's UB40

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for a three-island concert tour of reggae fixture UB40. The schedule:

• 7 p.m. Aug. 17, Edith Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium, Hilo. $29 advance, $32.50 at the door, available at MJS Music in Hilo, CD Wizard in Hilo, Borders in Hilo and Kona, Mele Kai Music in Kona, Byrd's Audio in Waimea.
• 7 p.m. Aug. 19, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. $35 advance, $40 at the door, available at the box office. (808) 242-7469.
• 7 p.m. Aug. 20, Waikiki Shell. $25 general admission advance, $30 at the door, $45 reserved, available at Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

Branching out

Michelle Branch (she did that hit song, "The Game of Love," with Santana) is heading this way, with a July 29 concert planned at the Waikiki Shell. She'll be en route home from Japan (Tokyo, Osaka) and Guam, so Hawai'i is a savvy stopover. Stay tuned.

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.