What's Up!

STAGE: Feb. 18-March 19

Fun and fancy are back as the spectacular Mardi Gras Follies enters its 50th and final year. The annual cabaret revue and fund-raiser presented by the Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Association boasts a cast of 50 dancers, singers and specialty acts. Jack Cione returns as artistic director and Bill Doherty is costume designer. Tickets are $35, $45 and $50, including buffet, show, tax, tip and parking.

• 6:30 p.m. buffet Fridays-Saturdays Feb. 18-March 19; 12:30 p.m. buffet Feb. 27 and March 13 / The Banyans Club, Pearl Harbor / 473-1703

STAGE: Feb. 18-20

Now children and teens can enjoy the beauty of Greek myths when UH-Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance presents "The Odyssey." This 55-minute adaptation of Homer's epic tale follows Odysseus as he begins his long journey home after the end of the Trojan War. Vibrant masks, enormous puppets, theatrical effects, song and mime take to the stage to illustrate the his adventures. Recommended for those 8 and older, a discussion follows the Feb. 19 evening show. Tickets are $10 general, $8 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff and non-UHM students, and $3 UHM students.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 18, 4 and 7 p.m. Feb. 19 and 2 p.m. Feb. 20 / UH-Manoa, Earle Ernst Lab Theatre / 956-7655

CONCERT: Feb. 19

Hip-hop artist Mos Def continues to most definitely create a buzz, not only through his notable rap albums but through his acting skills as well. Mos Def started out as a TV actor before turning to the rap-rock scene and churning out such hits as "Universal Magnetic" and "Black Star." Later roles in films such as "Monster's Ball" and "The Italian Job" only heightened his success. Advance tickets are $33 general, $45 VIP.

• 9 p.m. Feb. 19 / Pipeline Cafe / 589-1999

CONCERT: Feb. 23

Grammy-award winning reggae group Steel Pulse comes to Honolulu as part of a U.S. tour that was launched to coincide with and promote Black History Month. The British band is known for its positive messages and politically charged songs; its latest album, "African Holocaust," was recently nominated for a Grammy. Dread Starr opens. Tickets are $24 lawn, $28 seats and $34 pool. Lawn tickets are $28 on the day of the event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

• 7-10 p.m. Feb. 23 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: Feb. 24-March 27

Honolulu Theatre for Youth continues its 50th anniversary season with a double bill, "Eddie Would Go" and "Queen of Makaha, Rell Sunn." "Eddie" tells the life story of surfing master Eddie Aikau, from small-kid time to his legendary voyage on the Hokule'a. The world premiere of "Queen" focuses on community heroine Rell Sunn, who broke ground in the field of women's surfing (below, Nara Springer Cardenas as Rell Sunn, Janice Terukina as Carol). Both are written by Bryan Hiroshi Wake and directed by Harry Wong III. Recommended for those 9 and older, tickets are $16 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays Feb. 24-March 27 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / 536-4441

CONCERT: March 2

Big toes start tapping and little feet start dancing when rock 'n' roll band Little Feat, above, returns for a tour. The Los Angeles-based band's albums include the funky "Dixie Chicken" and jazzy "The Last Record Album." Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door and $50 VIP seating.

• 7:30 p.m. March 2 / Pipeline Cafe / 589-1999

Also:

• 7:30 p.m. March 4, Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40. (808) 242-7469.
• 7:30 p.m. March 5, Sangha Hall in Hilo on the Big Island. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door. (808) 969-9617.
• 7 p.m. March 6, Kaua'i Memorial Hall. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door. (808) 337-9234.

CONCERT: March 4

It's The Doors of the 21st Century, below, the current version of the band formerly fronted by Jim Morrison. The haunting melodies of the psychedelic '60s rock 'n' roll band return with original members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger leading new additions Ian Astbury, Angelo Barbera and Ty Dennis. Tickets are $56 advance and $125 VIP for this 18-and-older concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. March 4 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: March 9

Get infected with the punk-pop sounds of Sum 41 as the Canadian band returns to our shores. Members Deryck Whibley (guitar/vocals), Dave Baksh (lead guitar), Jason Cone McCaslin (bass) and Steve Jocz (traps) are warming up for a whacky good time to promote their latest release, "Chuck." Tickets are $22.50 advance for this all-ages concert. Doors open at 6 p.m.

• 7 p.m. March 9 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: March 11 and 13

The Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks season continues with "East Meets West: A Pipa Concerto," in which Japanese composer Minoru Miki's Pipa Concerto will be performed by Chinese pipa soloist Yang Jing and the symphony. The pipa is a four-stringed lute. Alastair Willis is guest conductor. Tickets: $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64, with a 20 percent discount for seniors, students and military.

• 8 p.m. March 11 and 4 p.m. March 13 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400, 792-2000

HOT DATES

• Feb. 18 Dave Specter/Steve Freund Quartet, Anna Bannana's; Feb. 19, Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Audubon Center
• Feb. 22 "Chocolates, Strawberries & Reds," beer-tasting/Valentine's event, The Willows
• Feb. 25 Clay Aiken appearance, a dinner benefit for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Sheraton Waikiki
• Feb. 26 NOFX, Pipeline Cafe
• March 4-6 Flamenco en Concierto, Paliku Theatre
• March 5 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Pink Cadillac
• March 18-19 "Paint By Number," by IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre, King Kalakaua Plaza, fourth floor
• March 20 Fil-Am Festival, Kapi'olani Park
• April 19 Jimmy Buffett, Waikiki Shell

BUZZING ABOUT

Margaret Cho returns

The ever-popular, always-naughty comedian Margaret Cho is offering two shows on two islands as part of her new "Assassin" tour. Details:

• 7:30 p.m. March 19 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $25, $35, $45; available at the box office and Ticketmaster outlets. (877) 750-4400, ticketmaster.com.
• 7:30 p.m. March 20 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Tickets are $25, $35, $45; available at the box office. (808) 242-7469, mauiarts.org.

Krall in Shell concert

Diana Krall, Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist, will join the Honolulu Symphony Pops in a one-night concert at 7 p.m. May 8 at the Waikiki Shell.

Krall's latest CD is "The Girl in the Other Room," a collaboration with her husband Elvis Costello.

The Honolulu concert, conducted by maestro Matt Catingub, will be Krall's last stop on her current world tour.

Tickets: $128 for reserved pool area table seating, $93 for first terrace reserved seats, $78 for second terrace reserved seats and $38 for general admission lawn seating. They go on sale at 9 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Blaisdell Center box office and at TicketMaster outlets and online at ticketmaster.com

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.