What's Up!

CONCERT: March 19

An all-star lineup of performers is scheduled to get you in the groove for spring break with an aptly named "Big Break" concert. Among the entertainers: Ooklah the Moc, Inoa'ole, Opihi Pickers, Keahiwai, Sudden Rush (left), Koa'uka, BET, Kekai Boys, Ho'onu'a and Sean Na'auao. Tickets are $10 for first 3,000; $16.50 thereafter; $18.50 second terrace; $22.50 first terrace; $25 pool.

• 5 p.m. March 19 (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) / Waikiki Shell/ (877) 750-4400, ticketmaster.com

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 Vergara-Paras from "Lizzie McGuire" and local singer Jordan Segundo. Al Waterson and "Freestyle" Franco Finn host. Admission is free.

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

CONCERT: March 24-25

Impact 2005 is an Islandwide youth event sponsored by the nonprofit group Island Women Empowered by God as an alternative event for spring break. The two-day festival features local and Mainland entertainment, guest celebrities, activities, fellowship and food. Believe, Jacob's Well, Paul Wright, 7 Simple Pieces and Larissa Lam are among those scheduled to be there. Admission is free.

• 6:30-10 p.m. March 24 and 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. March 25 / New Hope Leeward, Waipahu Town Center

STAGE: March 25-April 10

Diamond Head Theatre next presents the enchanting tale of "The Fantasticks," about The Boy and The Girl who fall in love and their feuding fathers. The long-running musical boasts such favorites as "Try to Remember," "Soon It's Gonna Rain" and "Happy Ending." Keith Anderson is The Boy and Katie Beth Hicks plays The Girl. Eden-Lee Murray directs. Tickets: $12-$42, with discounts for students, those 62 and older and military.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays March 25-April 10 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

STAGE: March 25-April 24

Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre's spring offering is the mischievous comedy "The Miser," by MoliÚre. The miser Harpagon decides to marry off his children in an attempt to guard and increase his wealth, making way for a clash of love and money. Mitchell Milan, left, is Harpagon; Joyce Maltby directs. Tickets are $20 general, $14 students, seniors, military and HPU faculty, and $3 HPU students. On Thursdays, tickets are $14 general and $10 seniors, military, students and HPU faculty.

• 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays March 25-April 24 / Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre / 375-1282

CONCERT: March 26

Classical guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima, below, returns to the Honolulu Academy of Arts for a one-night concert. Barbosa-Lima offers a program that includes works by South American, North American and European composers. Local 'ukulele master Byron Yasui also performs. Tickets: $20 general, $18 museum members.

• 7:30 p.m. March 26 / Doris Duke Theatre / 532-8700

FILM: April 1-7

The Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Fling 2005 gears up for its eighth year, with more foreign and independent flicks on schedule. This year expect more than 20 films, documentaries, shorts and animations from around the world. Movie tickets are $8 general, $7 students, seniors, children and military or $6 for HIFF members.

• Various times April 1-7 / Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theatres / 528-4433, 528-3456, www.hiff.org

CONCERT: April 5

For alterna-pop/rock band 3 Doors Down, "Kryptonite" is gold. The small-town Mississippi band hit the jackpot with that song, which paved the way for subsequent album chart toppers "The Better Life" and "Away from the Sun." The band's latest release, "Seventeen Days," has been at the top of the Billboard charts. Tickets: $25 general, $50 VIP.

• 7 p.m. April 5 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: April 1

The 12th annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival returns with a two-pronged season, beginning with a spring show, "Swingtime in Hawaii Part II." It features a dance floor, Hawaiian music and Mainland swing with artists such as Jimmy Borges, Gabe Baltazar, David Choy, Ginai, Owana Salazar, Keahi Conjugacion and Grammy-winning slack-key guitarist Jeff Peterson. Pupu and drinks available for purchase. A jam session follows the show in the old Trappers lounge. Tickets: $40 and $55 (includes jam session). The festival's second set of concerts takes place July 29-30.

• 8 p.m. April 1 / Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa Ballroom / 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com

"Swingtime in Hawaii Part II" also takes on Maui at the Four Seasons Resort in Wailea at 8 p.m. April 2.

STAGE: April 12-17

Not just a "Memory," Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical "Cats," right, lives on. Based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," it's a tale about Grizabella, Rum Tum Tugger, Bustopher Jones and the other Jellicle Cats who romp in the junkyard. Tickets range from $30 to $75, depending on the date and time.

• 7:30 p.m. April 12-14, 8 p.m. April 15, 2 and 8 p.m. April 16, 2 and 7 p.m. April 17 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400

HOT DATES

• March 19 The Great Hawaiian 105 KINE Luau, Blaisdell Arena
• March 27-April 2 Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo
• April 8 Ho'okena, Hawai'i Theatre
• April 19 Jimmy Buffett, Waikiki Shell
• April 22-May 1 "twelf nite o' WATEVA!" Kennedy Theatre mainstage
• April 23 Norah Jones, Blaisdell Arena
• April 24 Shakespeare's Birthday Bash XXXV, with Terence Knapp, Kennedy Theatre mainstage
• April 29-May 8 Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance," Blaisdell Concert Hall
• May 8 Diana Krall, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, Waikiki Shell
• May 27-28 Keali'i Reichel, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, Blaisdell Concert Hall

BUZZING ABOUT

Party with Jordan and pals

Hawai'i's first "American Idol" finalist Jordan Segundo is celebrating the release of his first CD, titled "Jordan," with a party March 18 at the Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel. Special guests include Anita Hall, Maila Gibson, Tracy Smith, Tani Lynn, Marlene Baldueza and Nueva Vida. Al Waterson is emcee.

The all-ages concert starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 advance. 947-5736.

The Briefs leads two shows

The Briefs, the Seattle-based band that was last here in December for the 5th Punk On A Rock concert, returns to headline a couple of all-ages rocking nights next month. The concerts:

• 8 p.m. April 15 at Pink Cadillac, also featuring The Hell Caminos, My Ex is Dead and Sunday Silence.
• 8 p.m. April 16 at Anna Bannana's, also featuring The 86 List, Temporary Lovers and Laissez Faire.

Admission to each show is $7 at the door; or $6 a night or $10 both nights if you get tickets at Unity Crayons events before April 15.

Carnival comes to Kaka'ako

A carnival in Kaka'ako? Yes, it's the 2nd annual event at the Children's Discovery Center, from noon to midnight April 1-2 and from noon to 10 p.m. April 3. Admission is free. 524-5437.

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.