What's Up!

CONCERT: Nov. 27

The 3rd annual Super Stars of Reggae concert gets into the rhythm with Aswad, Barrington Levy and Yellowman & The Sagittarius Band. Tickets are $20 grass seating advance, $25 day of the show; $22.50 and $25 terraces; $30 pool are available at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets.

• 6 p.m. Nov. 27 (gates open at 4:30 p.m.) / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

STAGE: Dec. 1-5

The University of Hawai'i Department of Theatre and Dance offers a hip-hop spin on myth with "Jaguar Priests: Our Culture is Myth." Slam poetry, movement and original music by Mariah Dodson combine to take a closer look at mankind and culture. At right is cast member Jonathan Clarke Sypert. Tickets are $10 general, $8 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff and non-UH-Manoa students, and $3 UH-Manoa students. A discussion follows the Dec. 3 performance.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 1-4 and 2 p.m. Dec. 5 / Earle Ernst Lab Theatre / 956-7655

STAGE: Dec. 3-5

Jim Nabors, below, once again headlines a neighborly holiday event, "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors." Jimmy Borges, Karen Keawehawai'i, Emma Veary, Philip Huber and Huber Marionettes, Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars and Hula Hui O Kupunahala 'O Nu'uanu YMCA drop in for the show. The Honolulu Symphony, conducted by Matt Catingub, also makes an appearance. Tickets are $45, $55 and $75, with discounts for children 17 and younger, seniors 62 and older and military.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and 2 p.m. Dec. 5 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

HOLIDAYS: Dec. 4-Jan. 2

Honolulu City Lights, the annual festival of holiday cheer, begins Dec. 4 with the lighting of the tree in front of City Hall at 6 p.m., followed by the Electric Light Parade (ending at 6:30 p.m.) and a concert at 7:30 p.m. Two dozen decorated Christmas trees will fill the City Hall courtyard, and more than 75 wreaths will be displayed in Lane Gallery. Food booths, from 3 p.m., will offer an array of Island fare. This is City Lights' 20th anniversary, and so this year's overall theme for indoor displays, wreaths and the parade is, appropriately, "20 Years of Sparkle." After opening night, City Lights displays will be on view daily through Jan. 2. Admission is free; get there early for parking.

• Dec. 4-Jan. 2 / Honolulu Hale (City Hall) and the downtown corridor / 523-2489

CONCERT: Dec. 10

The Grammy-award winning Taj Mahal, left, and his Hula Blues band head this way for a four-island tour. The former Kaua'i resident, best known for his '60s album "Giant Step," is currently promoting his latest release, "Hanapepe Dream." Tickets: $30 advance, $35 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 / Pipeline Café / 589-1999

The hips keep swaying at:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Kaua'i Memorial Theater. $25 advance, $30 at the door. (808) 337-9234.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 11, UH-Hilo Theater. $30 advance, $35 at the door. (808) 974-7310, (808) 896-4845.
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, $30, $35 and $40. (808) 242-7469.

FUN RUN: Dec. 11

The annual Honolulu Advertiser Jingle Bell Run is back for its 20th anniversary. This year's festive run is preceded by a canine costume contest and stroller decorating contest. After the run, relax with a free concert with Imua and Friends, plus prizes, games. food booths and rides. Entries postmarked by Nov. 29 are $25 individual adult, $10 children, $20 group of four or more. Late entry fees are $30 individual adult, $10 children and $23 group of 4 or more.

• 5 p.m. Dec. 11 / Alapai Bus Depot, corner of S. King and Alapai streets / 943-8808, ext. 33, specialolympicshawaii.org

CONCERT: Dec. 11

Rock on and punk out during the 5th annual Punk on a Rock bash. This year's music fest features six Mainland bands ready to bring down the house: Guttermouth, Mad Caddies, Death by Stereo, The Briefs, ASG and Drowning Adam. Tickets are $18.

• 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 / Pipeline Café / www.punkonarock.com

CONCERT: Dec. 17-18

Renowned classical cellist Matt Haimovitz, right, winds up his 50 state "Anthem" tour in the Islands, which promotes his latest album. Haimovitz has been bringing his solo cello sounds to unconventional venues around the nation, plus Canada and Britain. Tickets are $15.

• 6 p.m. Dec. 17-18 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / 521-9699

Haimovitz plays on at:

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, $18. (808) 242-2787, ext. 223.
• 6 p.m. Dec. 20, Wananalua Congregational Church in Hana, free. (808) 248-7569.
• 4-6 p.m. Dec. 26, Wai'oli Hui'ia Church, Hanalei, $15. (808) 245-2733.
• 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 26, The Landing Pad at Princeville Airport, $15. (808) 245-2733, (808) 826-9561.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 27, Kilohana Carriage House, Puhi, Kaua'i, $15. (808) 245-2733.
• 7 p.m. Dec. 28, Hukilau Lanai, Beach Boy Resort on Kaua'i, $25. (808) 245-2733.

CONCERT: Dec. 21-Jan. 2

Get ready to make some noise this holiday season as the fun-for-all stage show "Stomp" returns. This whirlwind of sounds, sights and smiles features an eight-member troupe using all types of "everyday" instruments for a percussion orchestra unlike any other, including garbage cans, brooms, hubcaps and matchboxes. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 for the Dec. 21-23, 26-29 and 7 p.m. Jan. 2 shows. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50 for all other performances. Students, seniors and military receive a $5 discount. Groups of 20 or more receive a 10 percent discount on all shows except those on Friday and Saturday nights, 732-7733.

• 8 p.m. Dec. 21-23, 25, 27-29 and 31; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 2; 5 and 9 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

HOT DATES

• Nov. 26-Dec. 4 "Creation" dance concert, with Castle Danceforce, 24-7 Danceforce, Punahou Dance Team, Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School
• Nov. 27-28 Mission Houses Museum's annual Holiday Craft Fair
• Nov. 27 Grace Nikae, pianist, Mamiya Theatre
• Nov. 30 Harlem Globetrotters, Blaisdell Arena
• Dec. 2 Kaimuki Christmas Parade, Wai'alae Avenue from Chaminade University and up to Koko Head Avenue
• Dec. 3-4 Makana in concert, Hawaiian Hut
• Dec. 22 Beethoven's Ninth, with the Honolulu Symphony, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Dec. 27-Jan. 2 "Grease," Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Jan. 21-22 Pilobolus dance company, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT

All about surf movies

The very first Surf Drive-In Film Festival takes place Dec. 2-5 at the Waialua Community Association in Hale'iwa. More than 20 surf films — Hawai'i and world premieres — are scheduled as are a surf party, the premiere of the "Rocky Point" television pilot, and a filmmaker discussion panel. Details at www.surfdrive-in.com.

Rocking at Kualoa

The Bud Light Surfest brings in New Found Glory, The Vandals, Yellowcard, Rise Against, Over It and National Product for a huge concert Dec.18 at Kualoa Ranch. Gates open at 10 a.m.; the show begins at 11 a.m. It's an all-ages show that also features a skate ramp and the surf village. Tickets — $18 advance, $22 at the door — are on sale now at Hawaiian Island Creations shops, the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center, Blue Planet Surf Shop, X-cel Wetsuits at Ward, Wave Waikiki and military outlets. 266-6730.

Concert in La'ie

Local favorites B.E.T. and the Opihi Pickers will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Hale Aloha Theater. Tickets are $8 general, $6 kids 3-11, free for PCC kama'aina annual pass holders. 293-3333.

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.