What's Up!

COMEDY: Oct. 8-10

Bay Area comedian Rex Navarrete returns to Honolulu for more laughs rooted in real-life experiences. Greg Gabaylo opens the first two nights, and Elroy and Shawn Felipe open up on the last night. General admission tickets for the 18-and-older show are $20 advance and $25 at the door. VIP seating in the first seven rows are $25 advance and $30 at the door.

• 7 p.m. Oct. 8-10 / Pipeline Café / 926-3000

FESTIVAL: Oct. 9

Learn all about Mo'ili'ili at the annual "Discover Mo'ili'ili Festival," which features a Country Store filled with homemade jellies, chutney, pickles and preserves; handicrafts by seniors at the Mo'ili'ili Community Center; crafts; a farmers' market; a history booth; kids' activities; food; and entertainment. The Ghost Storytelling Contest: A Tribute to Glen Grant begins at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Crossroads (admission is $3 general, $1 kids under 12). Admission to the festival is free.

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 9 / Old Stadium Park / 955-1555

CONCERT: Oct. 11

Los Lobos, one of America's premiere rock bands, comes to the Islands for a series of concerts, ending Oct. 11 at Pipeline Cafe in Honolulu. The band's latest release, "The Ride," marks the group's 30th anniversary together. It began as a Los Angeles garage band and has risen to international acclaim. Here's the schedule:

• 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Sangha Hall, 424 Kilauea Ave., Hilo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $35 general, $30 advance, available at Mele Kai Music in Kona, Byrd's Audio in Waimea, CD Wizard, MJS Music, Hilo Guitar, Kilauea General Store. (808) 969-9617.
• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Castle Theatre, Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. $30, $35, $40. (808) 242-7469.
• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Pipeline Cafe. Doors open at 7 p.m. $35 general, $30 advance, available at Pipeline, Jelly's in 'Aiea, Cheapos in Puck's Alley, Liquor Collection in Ward Warehouse, Good Guys Music in Kapahulu, Hungry Ear in Kailua, Rainbow Books at University, Samurai in Kapolei. 589-1999.

STAGE: Oct. 14-16

Don't fall asleep because stage hypnotist Sailesh is ready to take on Hawai'i. With audience participation and a live DJ, this busy hypnotist puts on a one-of-a-kind show. His uncensored show features mature content. Tickets are $20 advance and $25 at the door, for 21 and older.

• 8 p.m. Oct. 14-16 / Gussie L'Amour's / (877) 750-4400

FESTIVAL: Oct. 15-17

Get ready to gab as the Department of Parks and Recreation presents the 16th annual Talk Story Festival. The first night of the storytelling celebration follows the theme "Spooky Stories." The second night offers "Love Stories"; "Tales of Courage" rule the last night. Local storytellers taking part include Ed Chevy, Alton Chung, Nyla Fujii-Babb, Kealoha, Selah, Deb Foy, Gordon Freitas, Dan Kelin, Makia Malo, Sandra MacLees and Tita. Jim Weiss comes in from the Mainland, and Jeff Gere hosts. Free.

• 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 15-17 / McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park / www.honoluluparks.com

Also: a free storytelling workshop with Jeff Gere takes place 1-4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the McCoy Pavilion auditorium.

STAGE: Oct. 20-31

Aga-Boom, right, a family clown show featuring three former stars from Cirque du Soleil, blends circus, comedy and experimental theater into a wild ride of excitement. The audience will be swept up in an avalanche of paper, garbage-bag blimps and laughter. Tickets are $28 general and $18 for children, seniors and students for the Wednesday and Thursday shows, $38 general and $28 for children, seniors and students for the weekend shows. Proceeds from the weekend shows will benefit the Institute for Human Services' Women and Children's Center. The Halloween shows will feature costume contests and giveaways.

• Oct. 20-31 (7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturday matinees, and 2 and 6 p.m. Oct. 31; no show Oct. 24) / Mamiya Theatre / 545-2820

MOVIES: Oct. 21-31

The highly anticipated Hawaii International Film Festival gears up for another big year with more award-winning films brought in from around the world. Highlights this year include "Arakimentari" from Japan, a documentary on Tokyo photographer Nobuyoshi Araki; "Cuba Libre" from Cuba, a look at the last year of the Batista regime; and "Jasmine Women" from China, featuring Zhang Ziyi of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame. Tickets TBA.

• Various times Oct. 21-31 / Dole Cannery Theatres, Doris Duke Theatre and Hawai'i Theatre / www.hiff.org

CONCERT: Oct. 23

Open your arms for a trip through the '80s as the pop-rock tunes of Journey come soaring this way. The hit band, below, returns to Honolulu, minus lead singer Steve Perry, for more nostalgic tunes such as "Who's Crying Now," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Be Good to Yourself." Tickets are $45 and $55.

• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Oct. 30

The world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir brings its fabulous harmonies to Honolulu with the "Give Peace a Chance World Tour." The tour has taken the talented 13-member choir to Eastern Europe, South America, the French West Indies, Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Tickets: $10-$35.

• 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Oct. 30

To the delight of girls and admiring boys, singer/actress Hilary Duff, right, brings her sugary sweet tunes to a concert at the Blaisdell Arena. Best known for her role as the title character on the Disney Channel's hot "Lizzie McGuire" series, Duff is also a recording artist; her debut solo album "Metamorphosis" included the teeny-bopper hits "So Yesterday" and "The Math." Tickets are $48.

• 7 p.m. Oct. 30 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

HOT DATES:

• Oct. 8-9 'Ohina: The Short Film Showcase, Honolulu Academy of Arts
• Oct. 14-17 Food and New Products Show, Blaisdell Arena and Exhibition Hall
• Oct. 15 "A Midsummer Night's Dream," by the Artist Repertory Theatre from Portland, Ore., Hawai'i Theatre
• Oct. 23-24 La Pietra Children's Fair, La Pietra school
• Oct. 23-24 Flying Karamazov Brothers, Leeward Community College Theatre
• Oct. 27 Lea Salonga, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Oct. 30 Ozomatli, Kapono's
• Dec. 27-Jan. 2 "Grease," Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Dec. 10 Neil Sedaka, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Medusa in benefit

Hip-hop artist Medusa returns for a multimedia event that benefits GiRL FeST, the annual festival that aims to prevent violence again women and girls. The benefit, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Oct. 23 (doors open at 7 p.m.), takes place at Studio 1 and also includes short-film screenings in conjunction with the Hawaii International Film Festival, spoken word by the 2004 Hawaii Slam Team, music and dance. Medusa was last here in December.

Admission is $12 general, $10 pre-sale (at Studio 1 beginning Oct. 1), $7 students. 599-3931. There's a reception immediately afterward, from midnight to 4 a.m., at Quiet Storm, thirtyninehotel.

Mark Farina gigs

Legendary DJ Mark Farina is heading this way for gigs on Maui and in Honolulu. The Oct. 15 performance on Maui takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Hapa's; tickets are $20 general, $15 advance; for 21 and older. The Oct. 16 gig is from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Wave Waikiki; tickets are $20 general, $15 limited advance sales; for 18 and older. With DJs G-Spot, Daniel J. Ward, IKON, and Habo. 591-3500, 941-0424, ext. 12.

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.