What's Up!

CONCERT: Sept. 25

TAO, a taiko ensemble from Japan, returns to Honolulu for a full-length concert. The group, which made its Isle debut in 2003 at the Hawaii International Taiko Festival, is known for its innovative style ranging from serene flute-based pieces to powerful, uplifting songs. The Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group will precede TAO's performance. Tickets are $30 at the door, $25 advance (send check or money order to Taiko Center of the Pacific, 758 Kapahulu Ave., No. 201, Honolulu, HI 96816).

• 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 / Mamiya Theatre / 737-7236

CONCERT: Sept. 25

Metalheads, here's a concert for you: 8mm Overdose, above, a Hawai'i-based band that also performs in Japan, on the Mainland and in Europe, is ready to rock hard at Anna Bannana's. Other bands include Mister Meaner and Dagra. Admission is $5. 21 and older. And if you like what you hear, mark your calendars: Other 8mm gigs take place Oct. 8 at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe and Oct. 9 at Pink Cadillac.

• 10 p.m. Sept. 25 / Anna Bannana's / 946-5190

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.

STAGE: Oct. 8-9

The stunning Bangarra Dance Theatre returns to Hawai'i for two electrifying international contemporary dance shows. Hailing from Australia and under the artistic direction of Stephen Page, the main event of the program is the enchanting new piece, "Bush." General admission is $22, $28, $32 and $38; it's $18, $22 and $26 for children, seniors, students and military.

• 8 p.m. Oct. 8-9 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

STAGE: Oct. 8-Nov. 7

Tickets are on sale now for "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," directed by Ron Bright. The musical, based on the Mark Twain novel, with a Tony award-winning score by Roger Miller, is the tale of Huck (Sean Jones) and the slave Jim (John Bryan), who travel down the Mississippi River. Tickets are $26 general, $22 seniors 62 and older and military, $18 children and students; group rates available.

• 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays Oct. 8-Nov. 7/ Paliku Theatre / 235-7433

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.

SHOW: Oct. 9-10

The majestic Blue Angels come soaring into town to perform at the 2004 Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps — Navy Air Show. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has consistently earned oohs and ahhs while performing its aviation acts around the world. The agility of the planes will be demonstrated with the aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane diamond formation and the precision flying techniques of the six-jet delta formation.

• 10 a.m. Oct. 9-10 / Marine Corps Base Hawai'i / www.bluesonthebay.org

FESTIVAL: Oct. 9

The 11th annual Hispanic Heritage Festival promises to be an animated fiesta of fun. Come out and party with all the entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts, specialty items, cultural displays and children activities in store. This year also features the Annual Hispanic Family Health Fair, presented in conjunction with the Hispanic Center of Hawaii. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 9 / Kapi'olani Park and Bandstand / 941-5216, 285-0072

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

HOT DATES:

• Sept. 25 Taste of Kapolei, Ko Olina Resort & Marina
• Oct. 2 Makahiki, Oct. 2 Waimea Valley Audubon Center
• 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. 8-9 'Ohina: The Short Film Showcase, Honolulu Academy of Arts
• Oct. 30 Hilary Duff in concert, Blaisdell Arena
• Oct. 30 Harlem Gospel Choir, Hawai'i Theatre
• Dec. 27-Jan. 2 "Grease," Blaisdell Concert Hall
• Dec. 31 Wayne Newton, Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Jem cancels

Jem, the Welsh electronica songbird, has canceled an earlier-announced Oct. 2 concert at Wave Waikiki.

Neil Sedaka returns

Tickets go on sale today for a Honolulu concert by pop legend Neil Sedaka, who's known for golden hits including "Calendar Girl," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" and "Sweet Sixteen." He performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Hawai'i Theatre, where he sold out the house last December. Tickets are $25, $37.50 and $45, available at the box office and hawaiitheatre.com. 528-0506. Sedaka also performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Same ticket prices. (808) 242-7469.

Rock the Vote concert

Rock the Vote is sponsoring a daylong, nonpartisan festival of free music, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Kapi'olani Bandstand, in an effort to get young people to vote. Among the performers are local band Vertical Charles and DJ Behrouz of San Francisco. 277-8273.

HIFF wants you!

The Hawaii International Film Festival, Oct. 21-31, is looking for volunteers. Call Richard at 528-3456, ext. 18, or send e-mail to volunteer@hiff.org.

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.