What's Up!

DANCE: Jan. 21-22

Ballet Hawaii's 2004-05 season continues with the colorful arrival of Pilobolus. The contemporary dance company blends dance, acrobatics and living sculpture for a whimsical and amusing show full of flexibility, gracefulness and creativity. Tickets: $25, $35 and $45, with discounts for students, seniors and military.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 21-22 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Jan. 22

Happy days are here again because the Me Decade is back. The Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel sponsors a "'70s Nightclub Reunion" with five local bands bringing back the funk. Asian Blend, Greenwood (left), New Experience, Power Point and Rock Candy all return for a groovy night of cool cats and foxy ladies. Tickets: $30.

• 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Jan. 22 / Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, Pacific Ballroom / 944-6372

CONCERT: Jan. 22

O'ahu fans can say hello Lisa, too, as singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb (below) adds a Honolulu performance to her itinerary. Best known for her retro glasses and hit single "Stay (I Missed You)" from the "Reality Bites" soundtrack, the multitalented acoustic guitarist will debut songs from her latest album, "The Way It Really Is." Tickets: $28.

• 9 p.m. Jan. 22 / Hawaiian Hut / 550-8457
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 / Maui Arts & Cultural Center / (808) 242-7469

FILM: Jan. 21-22

Take a peek at Kathryn Xian's latest work, "Hawaii Slam: Poetry in Paradise." The celebrated producer/director's film features Melvin Borja, Kealoha, Selah, Travis T., Intrepid and the First Thursdays poetry slam crowd as the

HawaiiSlam Team heads for St. Louis for the Slam Nationals. The first night of the showing has DJ Dawn on the turntables, with DJ Rebel Girl taking over on the second night. Each screening will be followed by a question-and-answer period with the cast and director. Admission to this all-ages event is $7 general and $5 students.

• 7 p.m. Jan. 21-22 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / 599-3931

CONCERT: Jan. 28-29

The ever-fascinating, always mesmerizing Carol Channing is back for a one-woman show, "The First Eighty Years Are The Hardest." The singer-actress will share musical ditties and offer anecdotes from the popular shows and films that made her a star. Tickets: $35, $45 and $55.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-29 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: Jan. 27-28

South African vocal sounds will resonate as a cappella ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo heads over for a feel-good time. The group's lastest CD, "No Boundaries," is a blend of traditional African musical styles with Western classical works, featuring masterful Mambazo pieces and classical selections by Mozart, Schubert and Bach as accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra.

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 / Brigham Young University-Hawai'i, McKay Auditorium / $15 / 293-3759
• 8 p.m. Jan. 28 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $27 general and $20 students and seniors / 455-0385

The group also showcases its talents at:

• 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at Kahilu Theatre on the Big Island. Tickets: $35, $40, $45. (808) 885-6868.
• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Tickets: $20 and $25. (808) 974-7310.
• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets: $10, $18 and $28. (808) 242-7469.

OPERA: Jan. 28-Feb. 1

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its 2005 season with Richard Wagner's somber "The Flying Dutchman." This dramatic opera follows a cursed sea captain as he searches for true love in order to find redemption. Randy Locke is Erik, with Lori Phillips as Senta. Gary Simpson plays The Dutchman. Henry G. Akina directs. English supertitles will be projected above the stage. Tickets: $42-$100.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 28, 4 p.m. Jan. 30 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 596-7858

WRESTLING: Feb. 1

It's men — and women — in tights when World Wrestling Entertainment presents "Super Show Featuring the Superstars of Raw and Smackdown." There will be nine main events and four title bouts as WWE favorites take to the ring. Among those scheduled to duke it out are Triple H (left), Ric Flair, Undertaker, Shelton Benjamin, Edge, Lita and Trish Stratus. Tickets: $25, $45, $75 and $100.

• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: Feb. 3-13

Catch a case of the funnies when Kailua native Mark Pinkosh, right, unveils "Haole Boy 2 — Haole-er Than Thou," the sequel to his 1993 smash comedy "Haole Boy." Follow Haole Boy on more comic adventures as the title character explores more about growing up white in multicultural Hawai'i. Tickets: $20 general, or $16 for members of PBS Hawai'i.

• 8 p.m. Feb. 3, 5, 10-12; 9 p.m. Feb. 4; 4 p.m. Feb. 6 and 13 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / 550-8457

FESTIVAL: Feb. 6

Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the Vietnamese New Year Festival. The all-day event features bands, a dragon dance, cultural performances, food booths, Xtreme games and rides, taiko shows and clown visits. Admission is free.

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 6 / Kapi'olani Park bandstand / 389-4126, 286-8668

STAGE: Feb. 11-27

Take a look at the "Twentieth Century" as Diamond Head Theatre continues its 90th anniversary season. This comedy follows successful Broadway director Oscar Jaffe as his career takes a turn for the worse after his chorus girl-turned-leading lady hits the big time. Tempers flare and personalities collide when the two meet again on the Twentieth Century Limited train, and Jaffe attempts to lure his star back to Broadway. Tickets: $12-$42.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays Feb. 11-27 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

HOT DATES

• Feb. 18 Dave Specter/Steve Freund Quartet, Anna Bannana's; Feb. 19, Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Audubon Center
• Feb. 24-March 12 "Miss Saigon," an Army Community Theatre production, Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
• Feb. 24-March 27 "Eddie Would Go," "Queen of Makaha (Rell Sunn)," Kumu Kahua
• Feb. 25 Clay Aiken appearance, a dinner benefit for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Sheraton Waikiki
• Feb. 26 NOFX, Pipeline Cafe
• Feb. 28 k.d. lang in concert, Waikiki Shell
• March 5 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Pink Cadillac
• March 19 Bombucha, Waikiki Shell
• March 20 Fil-Am Festival, Kapi'olani Park

COMING UP

Specter and Freund

Blues fans are in for a treat: Guitarists Dave Specter and Steve Freund are teaming up to lead the Specter/Freund Quartet, appearing in two gigs on O'ahu next month. Specter is known for his jazz/blues stylings in the tradition of Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery. Freund is a hard-driving guitarist and vocalist. The two are touring to promote their latest CD, titled "Is What It Is." The performances are at 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at Anna Bannana's (946-5190) and at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Waimea Audubon Center's Pikake Pavilion (638-9199). Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door; available from Jan. 21 at Kua Aina Sandwich Shops in Hale'iwa and at the Ward Villages and at Anna Bannana's.

Fishbone at Pipeline

Fishbone, the funk/punk/ska band based in Los Angeles, heads for two gigs at Pipeline Cafe on Feb. 4-5. The band is best known for the hit "Party at Ground Zero" and its diversity and social commentary; its latest release is "The Essential Fishbone" (2003). Tickets — $15 advance, $20 at the door — are available now at Hawaii's Natural High and Pipeline Cafe. 926-3000. The shows begin at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. It's for those who are 18 and older.

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.