What's Up!

CONCERT: April 8

Grammy-nominated Ho'okena, left, brings its crisp vocals downtown as part of the Hawai'i Theatre's Hana Hou! Hawaiian music series. Members (clockwise from front center) Horace K. Dudoit III, Glen Smith, Chris Kamaka and Manu Boyd take to the stage along with hula soloist Nani Dudoit for an evening of classic local melodies and smooth original sounds. Tickets: $30.

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

CONCERT: April 9

Renowned jazz trumpeter Tiger Okoshi joins the University of Hawai'i Jazz Ensemble for a night of big-band sounds. Okoshi is an associate professor at the Berklee College of Music whose versatile jazz stylings have led to performances and recordings with such musical greats as Gary Burton and Tony Bennett. Tickets are $20 general and $15 students, military and seniors. Proceeds from the concert benefit the ensemble's April trip to the Mainland for the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival.

• 7 p.m. April 9 / Kapono's / 536-2161, ext. 107

FESTIVAL: April 9

Let your love of learning come alive at Bishop Museum's Mad About Science Festival, where you can indulge in geology, archaeology, biology, botany and ecology through hands-on activities, experiments and entertainment. The fun includes a Medical Mystery Festival, Space Station Wonders, guided tour of the natural science collection and stargazing. Admission is $3 kama'aina and military; free for Bishop Museum members and those 3 and younger.

• Noon-9 p.m. April 9 / Bishop Museum / 847-3511

CONCERT: April 8-9

Jazz songstress Dianne Reeves showcases her powerful voice in the next installment of the Honolulu Symphony Pops series. The multiple Grammy award-winning vocalist's skillful R&B and jazz stylings highlight the night, with Noel Okimoto appearing as special guest. Matt Catingub conducts. Tickets: $25, $35, $45, $55, $70.

• 8 p.m. April 8-9 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

Reeves also performs at 7:30 p.m. April 10 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Tickets are $10, $28 and $38, with discounts for MACC annual donors. (808) 242-7469.

CONCERT: April 10

Norton Buffalo and The Knockouts along with E.C. Scott, right, and Smoke take on a four-island tour for a rhythm and blues bash. Buffalo is known for his skillful handling of harmonicas, and Scott is known for her soul-blues vocals. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door, $45 VIP.

• 7:30 p.m. April 10 / Pipeline Cafe / 589-1999

The party also plays on at:

• 9 p.m. April 6 in the Aloha Beach Resort on Kaua'i. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. (808) 337-9234
• 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theater. Tickets: $30 and $35. (808) 242-7469
• 7:30 p.m. April 8 at Kahilu Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $30, $35 and $40. (808) 885-6868
• 7:30 p.m. April 9 with just E.C. Scott and Smoke at KMC Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door. (808) 896-4845, (808) 985-7167

EXPO: April 15-17

What better place to celebrate spring and new beginnings than at the 30th annual Spring New Products Show? In keeping with this year's theme, "Lifestyles, Music and Fashion," products include food, electronics, beauty, jewelry, health and home accessories. Other events include the Surf into Summer fashion show, Hawaii Made Products and Food Fair, 14th annual Strongest Man contest, wrestling tournament, Mother-Daughter lookalike contest and Kona's CD release party. Admission is $5 general, $4 those 65 and older, military and ages 7-12, and free for those younger than 7 with an adult.

• 5-10 p.m. April 15, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 16 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 17 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 945-3594

STAGE: April 22-May 1

Shakespeare's romantic comedy "Twelfth Night or What You Will" takes on a local flavor in "twelf nite o' WATEVA!" Written by late Booga Booga member James Grant Benton, this pidgin retelling is set in the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Terence Knapp directs, in memory of Benton. Pre-show chats happen at 7 p.m. April 23 and 30. Tickets, on sale April 11, are $15 general, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UH Manoa students, $3 UH-Manoa students.

• 8 p.m. April 22-23, 28-30 and 2 p.m. May 1 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

STAGE: April 22, 24 and May 10, 12

United Self-Help of Hawaii presents "Truly Dually," an original musical about homelessness and the system of care. Locally written by Michael Ullman, the play introduces such programs as Shelter Plus Care and Assertive Community Treatment in an exploration of long-term solutions. Roslyn Catracchia composes and directs.

• 7:30 p.m. April 22 at First Presbyterian Church / 4:30 p.m. April 24 at Tenney Theater / 7:30 p.m. May 10 and 12 at Paliku Theatre / Free / 391-7963

DANCE: April 29-May 8

Michael Flatley's energetic "Lord of the Dance" troupe, left, will kick up its heels in the Blaisdell Concert Hall. This international Celtic dancing spectacle features more than 40 dancers performing a passionate love story based on Irish folklore. Tickets are $49 and $59 general, and $44 and $54 for the two matinees and Wednesday-Thursday night shows. Groups of 20 or more get a 10 percent discount, 732-7733.

• 8 p.m. April 29, 3 and 8 p.m. April 30, 3 and 7:30 p.m. May 1, 7:30 p.m. May 4-5, 8 p.m. May 6-7 and 3 p.m. May 8 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: May 1

The Grammy-nominated Brothers Cazimero present their 28th annual May Day concert, a beloved Lei Day tradition. Join Robert, front, and Roland for Hawaiian music and dance under a spectacular canopy of stars as the brothers prepare to offer more memorable tunes and sweet harmonies. Tickets are $25 seats and $15 lawn; free for children younger than 10.

• 7:30 p.m. May 1 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

Also, May Day with the Brothers Caz happens on Maui at 7 p.m. May 2 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

HOT DATES

• April 8 "Past, Present, Future," concert by Hawai'i Youth Symphony, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• April 8-9 Butch Bradley, comic, Blaisdell Center's Pikake Room
• April 8-9 Tori Alamaze, vocalist, O-Lounge
• April 14 The Brothers Cazimero, "Concert in the Courtyard," Sheraton Moana Surfrider
• April 23 Norah Jones, Blaisdell Arena (sold out)
• April 24 Shakespeare's Birthday Bash XXXV, with Terence Knapp, Kennedy Theatre mainstage
• May 8 Diana Krall, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, Waikiki Shell
• May 26-28 Keali'i Reichel, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, Blaisdell Concert Hall

BUZZING ABOUT

Who's at Duke's

Duke's Canoe Club, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, is quite the entertainment spot — and the sunset views are nothing to sniff at either. Here's a schedule of entertainers at Duke's "Concerts on the Beach" series:

• Maunalua, today and April 8, 15, 22, 29.
• Kapena, Saturday and April 16, 23, 30.
• Henry Kapono, Sunday and April 10, 17, 24.
• Sean Na'auao Quartet, April 9.

The concerts are from 4 to 6 p.m.; no cover charge. 922-2268.

Taste at Kapolei

Mark your calendars: The 6th annual Taste at Kapolei, a benefit for Leeward O'ahu school students, is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina. The event features food, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction and fireworks. Tickets are $75 general, $60 advance. 275-3010.

Lu'au and more

In the mood for a lu'au? Damien Memorial School's fund-raiser also offers a country store, silent auction and entertainment by Frank DeLima, Melveen Leed, Maunalua and others. It takes place from noon to 4 p.m. April 10 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Tickets are $35 general; premiere tables available at $400 and $600. 841-0196.

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.