What's Up!

CONCERT: March 26

Classical guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima 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

AUTO SHOW: March 31-April 3

Start your engines: The 2005 First Hawaiian International Auto Show is revving up the latest models of cars, trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles for auto enthusiasts of all ages. Also on display will be pre-production models, specialty vehicles and concept cars. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor. Tickets are $7 general, $5 ages 62 and older and military, $4 children 7-12 and free for ages 6 and younger. April 3 is Kids Day, so those 12 and younger get in free with a paying adult.

• Noon-10:30 p.m. March 31-April 1, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. April 2 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. April 3 / Hawai'i Convention Center / www.hawaiiautoshow.com

FILM: April 1-7

The Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Fling 2005 is in its eighth year, with more foreign and independent flicks on schedule. The USS Missouri Memorial Association Inc. partners up with HIFF this year for a "Lessons of War" showcase. The special focus is held as part of a yearlong celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Films include "Purple Butterfly" (China/Fance), "Out of This World" (Japan), "Tama Tu" (New Zealand) and "Bread and Roses" (New Zealand). Movie tickets are $9 general, $8 students, seniors, children and military or $7 for HIFF members.

• Various times April 1-7 / Dole Cannery 18 Theatres / 528-3456 ext. 40, www.hiff.org

RACE: April 2

Come see if your rubber duckie is the one at the 18th annual Great Hawaiian Rubber Duckie Race as 20,000 yellow ducks come out of hibernation to race down the Ala Wai Canal to bring in prizes for the top 50 finishers. The race is preceded by a festival at McCully Shopping Center with games, entertainment and a duckie store, followed by a short parade to the Kalakaua Avenue bridge. Admission is free and duck adoptions are $5 each. Proceeds benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii.

• 9 a.m.-noon festival, 12:30 p.m. parade, 1:18 p.m. race / McCully Shopping Center and Ala Wai Canal / 532-6744

STAGE: April 7-10

Chaminade University's Performing Arts Program presents its take on the

off-Broadway musical "Godspell" as its spring production. Based on the gospel of St. Matthew, this version keeps the beloved songs but puts a local spin on the story with a Hawaiian-style Jesus as a lifeguard and his disciples coming from a mix of surfers, skateboarders, beach boys, homeless and tourists. Tickets are $10 general, $5 students, seniors and children.

• 7:30 p.m. April 7-9 and 4 p.m. April 10 / Mamiya Theatre / 440-4246

COMEDY: April 8-9

You'll be rolling in the aisles when The Laugh Factory presents stand-up comedian Butch Bradley, below left. The New Jersey native is a founding member of Boston improv troupe The ID and has a notable list of TV appearances, including Comedy Central, VH1's "The List" and "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment." Bradley's most recent activities include performing for U.S. troops during the USO Tour in Afghanistan and Iraq. Tickets are $25 advance and $30 on the day of the shows.

• 8 p.m. April 8 and 7:30 and 10 p.m. April 9 / Blaisdell Center Pikake Room / (877) 750-4400

COMEDY: April 1

No foolin': The Make Me Laugh comedy concert series is heading for the west side for April Fools' Day. Headliners Mel Cabang, above, and Kaleo Pilanca — along with Cathy Tanaka, Stan Egi, Da Hawaiian Guy from Molokai and Elroy — are ready to bring down the house. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.

• 7:30 p.m. April 1 / Dot's in Wahiawa / 622-4115

STAGE: April 12-17

Not just a "Memory," Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical "Cats" 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

CONCERT: April 16

The second annual Kokua Festival returns with more stars to lend a helping hand. This benefit for the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation promotes environmental awareness while featuring the talents of Jack Johnson, Jackson Browne, John Cruz, Ozomatli (left), G. Love and Special Sauce and Kawika Kahiapo and Kaukahi. Tickets are $30 general, $35 reserved, $15 children 3-10 and free for those younger than 3.

• 4:30 p.m. April 16 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

The festival also heads over to the Valley Isle, too, at 4:30 p.m. April 13 in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are $35 general, $40 reserved, $17 children 3-10 and free for those younger than 3. (808) 242-7469.

CONCERT: April 19

Parrotheads unite as partymaster Jimmy Buffett, right, and the Coral Reefer Band return to these shores as part of their Salty Piece of Land tour. The last time the Grammy-nominated singer and best-selling author and his crew were here was January 2004. Tickets are $36 general and $76 reserved.

• 7 p.m. April 19 / Waikiki Shell / (877) 750-4400

HOT DATES

• March 27-April 2 Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo
• April 5-6 3 Doors Down, Pipeline Cafe (April 5 show is sold out)
• April 8 Ho'okena, Hawai'i Theatre
• 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

3 Doors Down adds one

Alt-rock group 3 Doors Down, whose latest CD "Seventeen Days" is a big hit, has added another show to its April gig at Pipeline Cafe. The April 5 show is sold out; the new show is at 7 p.m. April 6. Tickets are $25 general, $50 VIP, available at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. (877) 750-4400, ticketmaster.com.

Collectibles sale April 2

The 2nd annual spring edition of the Wiki Wiki One-Day Sale of vintage collectibles and Hawaiiana takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 2 at the Blaisdell Center's Hawai'i Suites. Only items that are at least 20 years old will be shown and sold. Admission is $3.50 general, $2 kids 7-11. Early entry, for $15, is at 9 a.m. www.ukulele.com/wikiwiki.

Guys and more guys

It's always ladies night when the Chippendales all-male revue is in town, and it's heading for Honolulu for three shows later this month. You might recognize five of the dancers; they are included in the 2005 Chippendales calendar. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. March 25-26 (for those 21 and older) and March 27 (for 18 and older) at the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Prince Kuhio hotel. Tickets are $28 and $45. (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.