What's Up!

CONCERT: Jan. 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.

• 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.

DANCE: Jan. 28-30

Underground modern-dance troupe Upside-Down Dance comes to light with the debut of its show "In Pieces, An Evening of Dance." The program consists of 11 different choreographed selections, including hip-hop, improv and modern dance. Tickets are $20.

• 8 p.m. Jan. 28-29 and 7 p.m. Jan. 30 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / 779-1934

CONCERT: Jan. 28-29

Carol Channing, above, a legend whom critics still find facsinating, is back for a one-woman show, "The First Eighty Years are the Hardest." Presented by Shibuya and Malloy, the singer-actress will share musical snippets and offer anecdotes from the Broadway plays, TV shows and notable films that made her a star. Tickets: $35, $45 and $55.

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

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 (right), 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, above, 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

CONCERT: Feb. 4-5

Get ready for a punk-funk, skalicious time with two nights of Fishbone, above. Best known for the chart-topper "Party at Ground Zero," the hot '80s band returns with members Angelo Moore, Norwood Fisher, Rocky George, John Steward, Tory Ruffin, D'Andre Gipson and Andre Holmes. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door, for 18 and older. Doors open at 7 p.m.

• 8 p.m. Feb. 4-5 / Pipeline Cafe / 926-3000

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

RUN: Feb. 21

Runners, take your marks, because the 21st annual Great Aloha Run is about to take off. The 8.15 mile walk/run celebrates health and fitness for all ages with more than 20,000 runners expected from around the globe. Following the event will be an awards ceremony with prizes and entertainment in the stadium. The race fee is $25 individual, $25 team, $30 late registration and $18 for children 12 and younger and seniors 65 and older. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor.

• 7 a.m. Feb. 21 / Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium / www.greataloharun.com

STAGE: Feb. 24-March 4

The Army Community Theatre brings the breathtaking "Miss Saigon" to local stages. The epic love story about the relationship between an American soldier and a Vietnamese woman is set against a stirring musical backdrop created by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Shawna Masuda, right, plays Kim, with Samuel Hesch as Chris. Vanita Rae Smith directs. Tickets: $14-$25, with group discounts available.

• 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-26, March 4-5 and 11-12 / Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter / 438-4480

HOT DATES

• Jan. 28-30 Jake Shimabukuro and the Dynamic Evolution of "Ukulele!" Maui Arts and Culter Center, McCoy Theater
• Jan. 29 Night in Chinatown, Maunakea Street
• Feb. 18 Dave Specter/Steve Freund Quartet, Anna Bannana's; Feb. 19, Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Audubon Center
• 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
• March 5 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Pink Cadillac
• March 19 Bombucha, Waikiki Shell
• March 20 Fil-Am Festival, Kapi'olani Park

BUZZING ABOUT

My funny Valentine: Edwin San Juan, UPN's "The Talent Agency" champ, and Paul Ogata, "the funniest Asian-American comedian in the U.S.," celebrate Valentine's Day in a trio of performances at 8 p.m. Feb. 11, 12, 14 in the Pikake Room of the Blaisdell Center. Tickets: $25 at the door, $20 advance for Friday and Saturday, $37.50 and $32.50 for Valentine's Day (includes a 6 p.m. buffet). (877) 750-4400.

Soup's on: Bowling for Soup performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at Pipeline Cafe, with tickets ($15 at the door, $12 advance) going on sale today (for 18 and older only) at Hawai'i's Natural High, Jelly's, Pipeline Cafe. 926-3000.

Romancing Pipeline: New Jersey-based alternative pop punk quintet My Chemical Romance hits Pipeline Cafe. They're set for a 7 p.m. concert at the Kaka'ako venue on Feb. 15. Tickets are $13.50 pre-sale, $15 day of show (877-750-4400).

k.d lang at the Shell: The gorgeously-voiced vocalist from the Great White North is Honolulu bound for a Waikiki Shell show on Feb. 28. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show (with the Honolulu Symphony) are $45 and $55, reserved seats only (877-750-4400).

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.