What's up!

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

DANCE: June 25-27

The Hawai'i Onoe Kikunobu Dance Company presents its 13th dance concert in collaboration with guest artists from Japan and the Mainland. Besides the members of the Onoe Kikunobu Dance Co., participants include Dale Senaga, David Furumoto, Hanayagi Jutaichiro, Hanayagi Kihaku, Kineya Wakichi VI, Kineya Katsushinji, Kineya Katsunobuya and Kineya Katsurokuza. It's a showcase of traditional classical Japanese dance choreography with accompaniment by the shamisen, synthesizer and cello. Tickets are $25 general, $20 seniors, students, military and University of Hawai'i faculty and staff, and $10 for UH students.

• 7:30 p.m. June 25-26 and 2 p.m. June 27 / UH-Manoa Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

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. 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: 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

STAGE: July 1-Aug. 1

Kumu Kahua Theatre makes a summer splash by bringing back its smashing season opener, "Folks You Meet in Longs." Written by Lee Cataluna (center), who also is a Honolulu Advertiser columnist, this comedy takes a look into the lives of the many customers who make Longs a part of their day. Tickets range from $5 to $16.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays July 1-Aug. 1 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / 536-4441

FESTIVAL: July 2-4

BayFest 2004 prepares for another booming good time over the Fourth of July weekend with entertainment, military displays and fireworks shows. This year's 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. Admission depends on when you're going: 5 p.m.-closing July 2-4, it's $8 general, $5 kids 4-10; noon-5 p.m. July 3-4, it's $5 general, $3 kids 4-10. Free for keiki younger than 4. There are passes, too, available in advance at Papa John's Pizza locations and the the Marine base: $7 for a one-day pass and two Papa John's coupons; $16 for a three-day pass and two Papa John's coupons.

• 5 p.m.-2 a.m. July 2, noon-2 a.m. July 3-4 / Marine Corps Base Hawai'i / www.bayfesthawaii.com

CONCERT: July 3

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. Also on the menu: food and beverage stations, telescopes for star-gazing and a 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

FESTIVAL: July 10

Whee, it's time for ArtSpree! Presented by Friends of The Contemporary Museum, ArtSpree 2004 features a full day of art-related activities, performance art, dance, music and hands-on demonstrations. There'll be free parking, with shuttle service at Punahou School and King Kalakaua Plaza. Come out and enjoy a day of art and fun. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10 / The Contemporary Museum / 526-1322

STAGE: July 14-Aug. 1

Manoa Valley Theatre prepares to wrap up a successful season with "The Underpants." Written by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin, this laugh-out-loud comedy showcases the hilarious events that unfold after a bureaucrat's wife's underpants fall to the ground at a parade for the king. Tickets are $25, with $5 off for seniors and military. Those 25 and younger are $15.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays July 14-Aug. 1 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

FESTIVAL: July 17

July is American Beer Month. and what better way to celebrate than with a block party? The 2nd annual American Brews, Blues and BBQs kicks off with more than 25 local and national breweries showcasing more than 40 classic beer styles. The festivities also include a Home Brew contest, Home Brew master demonstration class, beer museum, retail booths, low-carb table, Beer and BBQ cook-off, blues bands and a children's water coloring activity, "Red, Write & Blue." Admission is free, although there is a $5 cost for the Home Brew contest. Scrip purchase for beer and beverages come in $5, $10 and $20 scrip bundles, and food is bought with cash only.

• 4-10 p.m. July 17 / Nu'uanu Avenue / www.indigo-hawaii.com

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 23-24 Gabriel Iglesias, comedy, Pipeline Café
• 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
• Aug. 20 UB40, Waikiki Shell (Aug. 17 at Kanaka'ole Tennis Stadium, Hilo; Aug. 19, Maui Arts & Cultural Center)
• October 'Ohina: The Short Film Showcase, Honolulu Academy of Arts

BUZZING ABOUT:

Who are you?

Tickets — $65, $95 — go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the Aug. 3 Blaisdell Arena concert of rock legend The Who. The band is led by original members Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend. Head for the box office and Ticketmaster outlets or go online at www.ticketmaster.com. (877) 750-4400.

Loud and proud

Jake Shimabukuro's first DVD, "Play Loud 'Ukulele," will be released Tuesday — and it neatly captures his personality (through interviews), his style (in concert footage) and his teaching skills (extras include chord and strumming lessons). For all you strummers, this one's hard to beat. (Watch for him Aug. 25 in "AT&T's Wildest Show in Town" at Honolulu Zoo).

Catch a wave

David Brown's work in progress, "Of Wind and Waves: The Life of Woody Brown," will be shown in a fund-raiser 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Meritage, Restaurant Row. $35 includes pupu and a drink, the film clip and the chance to schmooze with the 92-year wonder, an ex-Waikiki beachboy who invented the catamaran.

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.