What's Up!

FESTIVAL: Sept. 10, 11, 17

The vibrantly scent-sational 2004 Aloha Festivals gears up for its annual whirlwind of fun. Highlights:

Traditional chant and hula highlight the opening ceremony, which kicks off the six-week, six Island celebration. The O'ahu Royal Court gathers on the grounds of the sole royal palace in the United States. Free.

• 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 / 'Iolani Palace / 589-1771

It's fun for all as the Aloha Festivals starts partying with the Downtown Ho'olaule'a. Honolulu's business district lets loose with contemporary Hawaiian entertainment, activities and food. Admission is free.

• 6:30-10 p.m. Sept. 10 / Bishop Street / 589-1771

Flowers, colors and music abound at the annual Floral Parade, which includes pa'u riders, floats, hula halau and marching bands. Free.

• 9 a.m. Sept. 11 / from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park / 589-1771

The Sheraton hotels celebrate by hosting the 10th edition of the popular Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto contest. Amateur male performers ages 18 and older compete by singing stories of Hawaiian culture in the upper registers of the musical scale. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 11 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawaii Ballroom / 931-8178

Party hearty at the sprawling Waikiki Ho'olaule'a with entertainment stages, food booths and lei vendors. Admission is free.

• 7-10:30 p.m. Sept. 17 / Kalakaua Avenue / 589-1771

CONCERT: Sept. 17 and 19

The Honolulu Symphony Halekulani MasterWorks season opens with renowned violinist Cho-Liang Lin, left. Lin's articulate violin stylings and deep interpretations have garnered acclaim from around the world. He has appeared as a guest artist with the Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic and orchestras in France, Sweden, Japan, China and Taiwan. The program includes "Serenade" by Leonard Bernstein and "Symphony No. 9 in E minor, op. 95" by Antonin Dvorak. Samuel Wong conducts. Tickets are $26, $38, $48, $56 and $69.

• 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 4 p.m. Sept. 19 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: Sept. 17

A Celtic celebration in the great outdoors is in store, as the Old Blind Dogs come to town packing their raucous reels and soulful ballads. One of Scotland's beloved folk bands, the Dogs have seen a number of member changes but have maintained a dedication to a fusion of traditional Scottish music with world music, reggae, jazz, rock and basic get-up-and-dance grooves. Tickets: $17 general, $12 advance; for 21 and older.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 17 / Kaka'ako Waterfront Park / 271-9140

Also: Jim Malcolm, Old Blind Dogs' lead singer/guitarist, offers solo performances 8:30 and 10 p.m. Sept. 16 at O'Toole's Irish Pub (902 Nu'uanu Ave.; 536-4138). No cover charge.

STAGE: Sept. 17-26

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre mainstage comes alive for the 2004-05 season with Lisa Matsumoto's musical "How Da B-52 Cockroach Learned to Fly." The play is an adaptation of Matsumoto's popular children's book, which features the adventures of Kimo the cockroach. Tamara Hunt-Montgomery directs. Tickets: $15 general, $12 seniors, military and UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students and children, and $3 UHM students.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 17-18 and 25, 4 p.m. Sept. 18 and 25 and 2 p.m. Sept. 19 and 26 / Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

FESTIVAL: Sept. 17-23

The third annual Cinema Paradise Film Festival plans more than 100 movie screenings of controversial, urban and hip works from the international independent film scene. Categories this year include surf and skateboard culture in "Beyond the Reef"; flash-animated shorts in "The Greatest Story Never Told"; and films for the next generation in "Next Coast." Awards will be given for the best feature, documentary, shorts and animation, with the second annual Hale Ki'i 'Oni'oni Award going to a local filmmaker. At left is a scene from "Save Virgil," about a cartoon boy born in the real world. Tickets TBA.

• Various times Sept. 17-23 / Varsity Theater / www.cinemaparadise.org

FESTIVAL: Sept. 24-26

Experience The Good Life expo as the Hawaii Seniors' Fair prepares for its 20th anniversary. Targeted for those over 50, the expo features exhibits, entertainment and cooking demonstrations. Don't miss the educational seminars, travel information, craft fair and flu and pneumonia vaccinations. SuperGeeks will also be on hand to offer a computer exhibit and classes. Admission is free.

• 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 24-26 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 832-7878

CONCERT: Oct. 2

She's truly outrageous in her own way, but come see for yourself as Welsh songbird Jem, right, makes her way to Hono-lulu. The singer/songwriter/producer's eclectic electronica sound can be heard on her current hit, "They," off her full-length debut CD, "Finally Woken." Tickets: $12.50, for 18 and older.

• 7 p.m. Oct. 2 / Wave Waikiki / (877) 750-4400

FESTIVAL: Oct. 2-3

Embrace Native American culture at the 30th annual Intertribal Pow Wow, which features dancing, drumming, singing, arts and crafts and food. It's sponsored by the American Indian Pow Wow Association. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2-3 / Thomas Square / 734-5171

Also: The 5th annual Native American Flute and Storytelling Concert takes place at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai'i. Free.

HOT DATES:

• Sept. 25 Taste of Kapolei, Ko Olina Resort & Marina
• Oct. 2-3 North Shore Sunset on the Beach, Hale'iwa's Ali'i Beach Park
• Oct. 2-3, 9-10 Parade of Homes, various sites around the Islands
• Oct. 3 Children and Youth Day 2004, state Capitol
• Oct. 8-9 Bangarra Dance Theatre, Hawai'i Theatre
• Oct. 8-9 Blue Angels, precision flying team, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i
• Oct. 8-9 'Ohina: The Short Film Showcase, Honolulu Academy of Arts
• Oct. 9 Hispanic Heritage Festival, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand
• Oct. 21-31 Hawaii International Film Festival, Dole Cannery Theatres, Doris Duke Theatre, Hawai'i Theatre

BUZZING ABOUT:

Suga Suga turns 1

Suga Suga is celebrating its first birthday with a Nov. 1 bash at Pipeline Cafe. Yes, that's a Monday, but there's no school the next day, which is general election day. Suga Suga is an all-ages party that's also a benefit for Musical Youth of Hawaii, which teaches teens the art of DJ-ing and musical production. More info about the bash to be posted at www.uniteddjsofhawaii.org.

All about Augie

Local funnyguy Augie T. will give a one-man comedy show at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Hawai'i Theatre. Laughs aren't the only target: A DVD docu-comedy will be produced as a potential springboard to comic fame. Tickets are $20 and $25, available at the box office. 528-0506.

Spooky times again

Hey, kids, there will be another Treat Street Halloween event at the Bishop Museum. That means a costume contest, arts and crafts, games, entertainment and trick-or-treating. Hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Spidey under the tree

DVD alert: The blockbuster "Spider-Man 2" hits the shelves Nov. 30, just in time for Christmas gift-giving.

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.