What's Up!

FESTIVAL: Feb. 25-27

The fourth annual Volcano Party Festival gears up for a weekend of nonstop fun with five dance parties over three days, with the main event at the Hawai'i Convention Center. DJ Abel heads over from Miami for that bash, which promises surprises including local artists, lasers and go-go dancers. Individual prices vary for each party, or a weekend pass is $135 general, $100 kama'aina. A VIP pass is $265.

• Feb. 25-27 / various venues / (877) 242-4900, www.circuiticket.com, www.volcanoparty.com

CONCERT: Feb. 28

Grammy-award winning k.d. lang showcases her sultry sounds and playful tunes while backed by her band and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra for her Hawai'i debut. The Canadian crooner's heralded albums include the award-winning "Ingenue," "Drag" and her latest release, "Hymns of the 49th Parallel." Tickets are $45 and $55.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 28 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

CONCERTS: March 1-2

The Masters of Persian Music — a supergroup, right, of classical musicians Hossein Alizadeh, Kayhan Kalhor, Mohammad Reza Shajarian; and Homayoun Shajarian (Reza Shajarian's son), a master in the making — makes its Hawai'i debut with a pair of concerts. The innovative, virtuoso musicians from Iran made a historic, 14-city North American tour in 2001 and another sold-out tour in 2002. Its CD "Without You" was nominated for a Grammy in 2003. The group recently released a two-CD set, "Faryad" (The Cry). Tickets: $20 general, $15 students, seniors and military.

• 7:30 p.m. March 1-2 / Orvis Auditorium / 944-7177

CONCERT: March 4

It's The Doors of the 21st Century, 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

DANCE: March 4-13

"Swoop, Tumble, Fly: The Art of Motion" is a dance program that features African fusion, hula set in the Victorian era (below, Kelly Del Rosario and Noelani Goldstein) and more. The audience is advised to arrive early for the live African-style drumming that precedes the fusion piece, which opens the show, titled "Illuminating the Spirit" and created by African dance specialist Chuck Davis. Tickets, available beginning Feb. 22: $15 general, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 nonUHM students, $3 UHM students.

• 8 p.m. March 4-5, 11-12, 2 p.m. March 13 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

CONCERT: March 9

The Canadian band Sum 41 returns to our shores with members Deryck Whibley, Dave Baksh, Jason Cone McCaslin and Steve Jocz. The band's latest release is titled "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

DANCE: March 18-19

Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre presents its latest offering, "Paint By Number," in conjunction with local hip-hop groove band Quadraphonix. This performance is the second in Iona's Salon Series and features the dancers blending visual art with performance art by using paint, Japanese butoh and contemporary dance. At right is Chandra Miars. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door.

• 8 p.m. March 18-19 / Niketown Building, fourth floor / 528-0506

FAIR: March 23

Those 50 and older are encouraged to come out to the PrimeTime Wellness Fair for the plethora of health information and seminars on hand. Free health screenings available include glucose and cholesterol, blood pressure, ear exam, antioxidant and bone density. Have a little fun and enjoy the entertainment, activities and games such as bingo. Admission is free.

• 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 23 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / 643-4567

COMEDY: March 19

Sure to bring in killer laughs, sharp-tongued comedian Margaret Cho, left, returns with a new one-woman show, "Assassin." Her cutting-edge humor and realistic anecdotes of life should make for a laugh-till-you-cry good time. Tickets: $25, $35, $45.

• 7:30 p.m. March 19 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

Also, Cho brings her "Assassin" tour to Maui:

• 7:30 p.m. March 20 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theater. Tickets: $25, $35, $45. (808) 242-7469

FESTIVAL: March 20

The first Fil-Am Festival in Honolulu celebrates the ties between Filipino and American cultures with the theme "Tayo ay Nagkakaisa! Together We are One!" This cultural festival includes performances by local and national Filipino-American acts, celebrities from the Philippines, food booths, cultural exhibits, a keiki area and a health expo. The full day of entertainment includes actor Marvin Agustin, Lalaine from "Lizzie McGuire" and local singer Jordan Segundo. Admission is free.

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 20 / Kapi'olani Park / 548-0335

HOT DATES

• Feb. 25 Clay Aiken appearance, a dinner benefit for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Sheraton Waikiki
• Feb. 25-27 Waimanalo Carnival, Waimanalo Beach Park
• Feb. 26 NOFX, Pipeline Cafe
• March 3-5 "South Pacific," presented by Iolani Dramatic Players, Hawai'i Theatre
• March 4-13 "Aida," presented by the Saint Louis Players, Mamiya Theatre
• March 9-27 "Cabaret," Manoa Valley Theatre
• March 5-6 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Pink Cadillac
• March 11 The Brothers Cazimero, Hawai'i Theatre
• April 8 Ho'okena, Hawai'i Theatre
• April 19 Jimmy Buffett, Waikiki Shell
• March 5 "twelf nite o' WATEVA!" April 22-May 1, Kennedy Theatre mainstage

BUZZING ABOUT

Kokua for a cause

Jack Johnson hosts the 2nd annual Kokua Festival, 4 p.m. April 13 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center and 4:30 p.m. April 16 at the Waikiki Shell. Also performing: Jackson Browne, John Cruz, Ozomatli, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Kawika Kahiapo & Kaukahi. Maui tickets are $35 general, $40 reserved, $17 for kids 3-10 (general admission); (808) 242-7469, mauiarts.org. Honolulu tickets are $30, $35, $15; at Ticketmaster outlets, (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com. Kids under 3 enter free at both concerts. Proceeds benefit Johnson's Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, which supports environmental education programs.

'Cats' meow

"Cats," the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," returns to the Blaisdell Concert Hall after a seven-year absence. The touring production of the Broadway hit premieres at 7:30 p.m. April 12 and continues at 7:30 p.m. April 13-14, 8 p.m. April 15, 2 and 8 p.m. April 16 and 2 and 7 p.m. April 17. Tickets, which go on sale today, range from $30 to $55 on opening night and from $35 and $45 up to $75 for other shows. They are available at the box office and at Ticketmaster outlets. (877) 750-4400, www.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.