What's Up!

April film premieres 4/1 "Sin City" 4/8 "Fever Pitch" (starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon, above) "Sahara" 4/15 "The Amityville Horror" 4/22 "A Lot Like Love," "The Interpreter," "King's Ransom" 4/29 "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," "XXX: State of the Union"

The Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Showcase is in its eighth year, with 28 flicks from Japan, China, South Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, France, Germany, Hungary, Britain, Ireland, Canada and the United States. Films include "Apres Vous," "Bread and Roses," "Chinese Restaurants: Three Continents," "Kung Fu Hustle," (above), "Gloomy Sunday," "Mondovino" and "Woman of Breakwater." Tickets are $9 general, $8 students, seniors, children and military or $7 HIFF members.

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

FAIR: April 1-3

The second annual Kaka'ako Carnival gears up to once again offer a whimsical spectacle in the middle of a concrete jungle. A fund-raiser for the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, the full-scale carnival features E.K. Fernandez rides and games for a weekend of family fun. Admission is free, and carnival fun passes for unlimited rides during certain hours are available for $18.

• Noon-midnight April 1-2 and noon-10 p.m. April 3 / Kaka'ako Gateway Park / 524-5437

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 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

CONCERT: April 3, 5-6

Wowee, Maui gets a triple dose of reggae artist Dezarie, left, fresh from releasing her latest album, "Gracious Mama Africa." She headlines these Tribute to the Lioness concerts, which also feature Ikahba and band, Marty Dread, DJ Boomshot and MC Spence Jah. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door. The April 3 show is all-ages while April 5 and 6 are 21 and older only.

• 6 p.m. April 3 / Hapa's Nightclub, Kihei / (866) 384-3060
• 9:30 p.m. April 5 / Cassanova's, Makawao / (866) 384-3060
• 9 p.m. April 6 / Hapa's Nightclub, Kihei / (866) 384-3060

The roots empress also makes her way on to O'ahu with a pair of concerts:

• 10 p.m. April 7 at Pipeline Cafe with Ikahba and band, The Ionz and Kamau. Tickets are $17 advance, $22 at the door, for 18 and older. (866) 384-3060.
• 10 p.m. April 8 at Don Ho's Island Grill with Ikahba and band, The Ionz and Sahra Indio. Tickets are $17 advance, $22 at the door, for 21 and older. (866) 384-3060.

CONCERT: April 5-6

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 is "Seventeen Days," a big seller. The April 5 show is sold out, so a second show has been added. Tickets: $25 general, $50 VIP.

7 p.m. April 5 (sold out) and April 6 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

CONCERT: April 10

Norton Buffalo, right, and The Knockouts along with E.C. Scott and Smoke take on a four-island tour for a rhythm and blues bash. Buffalo is known for his skillful handling of harmonicas, and Scott is known for her soul-blues vocals. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door, $45 VIP.

• 7:30 p.m. April 10 / Pipeline Cafe / 589-1999

The party also plays on at:

• I 9 p.m. April 6 in the Aloha Beach Resort on Kaua'i. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. (808) 337-9234
• I 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center Castle Theater. Tickets: $30 and $35. (808) 242-7469
• I 7:30 p.m. April 8 at Kahilu Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $30, $35 and $40. (808) 885-6868
• I 7:30 p.m. April 9 with just E.C. Scott and Smoke at KMC Theater on the Big Island. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door. (808) 896-4845, (808) 985-7167

STAGE: April 12-17

Not just a "Memory," Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical "Cats," right, lives on with its 25th anniversary tour. 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

Tickets for the opening night benefit for the Ronald McDonald House are $100, which includes VIP seating, pre-show reception and intermission treat. 973-5683.

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, 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 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

STAGE: April 22-May 1

Shakespeare's classic comedy "Twelfth Night or What You Will" takes on a local flavor in "twelf nite o' WATEVA!" Written by late "Booga Booga" member James Grant Benton, this classic pidgin play is set in the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Terence Knapp directs. Tickets, on sale April 11, are $15 general, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UH Manoa students, $3 UH-Manoa students.

• 8 p.m. April 22-23, 28-30 and 2 p.m. May 1 / Kennedy Theatre mainstage / 956-7655

STAGE: April 22, 24 and May 10, 12

United Self-Help of Hawaii presents "Truly Dually," an original musical about homelessness and the system of care. Locally written by Michael Ullman, the play introduces such programs as Shelter Plus Care and Assertive Community Treatment in an exploration of long-term solutions. Roslyn Catracchia composes and directs.

• 7:30 p.m. April 22 at First Presbyterian Church / 4:30 p.m. April 24 at Tenney Theater / 7:30 p.m. May 10 and 12 at Paliku Theatre / Free / 391-7963

CONCERT: April 23

Come away with Norah Jones, left, as the sultry vocalist-pianist makes her Hawai'i debut. Her distinctive voice and jazzy-soul tunes on such hits as "Sunrise" and "What Am I to You?" has garnered countless accolades and multiple Grammys. Tickets: $40.

• 8 p.m. April 23 / Blaisdell Arena / (877) 750-4400

BUZZING ABOUT

Say 'Cheese'

Richard Cheese and his Lounge Against the Machine cohorts are coming back to Wave Waikiki in July (they were last here in June 2004). Cheese and crew are experts at putting modern hit tunes to loungy, jazzy music. Mark your calendars for July 1 and 3; more details to be announced.

Maui's big Thing

The 13th Ulupalakua Thing is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 at 'Ulupalakua Ranch and the Tedeschi Vineyard on Maui. It's a showcase of Hawai'i and made-in-Hawai'i products that support the state's agricultural industry. Attractions include a Chef's Challenge, food, arts and crafts and entertainment (Eric Gilliom and Willie K). Admission is $20 general, free for kids 10 and younger; $15 advance tickets are available in April by calling (888) 808-1036 and at certain outlets around Maui. www.ulupalakuathing. com.

The world of science

The Bishop Museum offers a Mad About Science Festival, noon to 9 p.m. April 9, featuring hands-on activities, experiments and entertainment shows for kids of all ages. Admission is $3 kama'aina and military, free for museum members and kids 3 and younger. 847-3511, www.bishopmuseum.org.

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.