What's Up!

CONCERT: May 13 and 15

The Honolulu Symphony's Halekulani MasterWorks series continues with "Iggy Jang Plays Khachaturian." Concertmaster Jang, left, will perform Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. The program also includes works by John Adams and Tchaikovsky. Alasdair Neale conducts. Tickets: $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64.

• 8 p.m. May 13 and 4 p.m. May 15 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 792-2000, (877) 750-4400

DANCE: May 15

Internationally renowned Chinese dance troupe Phoenix Dance Chamber, right, graces the stage with "Sandalwood Sojourns." The show features a peek at the evolution of Chinese dance in Hawai'i using history, art, music and dance. Frank DeLima also appears. Tickets: $17, $22 and $27.

• 4:30 p.m. May 15 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

CONCERT: May 19

At the stroke of 10, it'll be Midnite, as the roots reggae band from St. Croix journeys from their island to ours. The energetic quintet is composed of Dion Hopkins (drums), Philip Merchant (bass), Abijah (guitar) and brothers Ron (keyboards) and Vaughn (lead singer) Benjamin. Local reggae bands Humble Soul with THC and Pacific Sounds Outernational also perform. Tickets are $25 advance, $25 at the door; for 18 and older. Doors open at 9 p.m.

• 10 p.m. May 19 / Pipeline Cafe / (866) 384-3060

CONCERT: May 20-21

The Rick Shea Band prepares to rock around the island with a pair of concerts in May. A guitarist and vocalist, Shea's distinct California-country and Bakersfield sound stems from growing up in San Bernardino. Owana Salazar is the special guest at the Waimea Valley Audubon Center gig. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door.

• 9 p.m. May 20 at Anna Bannana's; 8 p.m. May 21 at Waimea Valley Audubon Center / 946-5190, 591-9133, 637-6067

STAGE: May 20-June 5

Step back in time to ancient Rome via the musical farce "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." This beloved Broadway comedy follows a colorful cast as a clever slave attempts to gain freedom by wooing a courtesan for his master. Bill Ogilvie is the slave Pseudolus, Kristen Dixon is the courtesan Philia and Brent Yoshikami plays the master Hero. John Rampage directs. Tickets: $12-$42, with discounts for students, seniors 62 and older and military.

• 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays May 20-June 5 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

CONCERT: May 27

The sounds of yesteryear are showcased at "Yesterday Once More," a dance concert headlined by Kit Samson and the Sound Advice. Also performing: Melveen Leed, right, Rolando Sanchez, Little Albert, Alfredo Romero, Soul Cafe, Sonya Mendez, Shari Lynn and Connie Kissinger. Tickets: $35 general, $30 advance; includes a standard drink.

• 7:30 p.m. May 27 / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, Manoa Grand Ballroom / 545-3642

CONCERT: May 28

Flash back to the sounds of '70s metal rockers KISS via cover band KISS Army. Members Steve Clark, Yio Darcangelis, Bryan Angel and Doug Gery capture the original band's flamboyant energy and dramatic sounds. Local band Buddhist Priest opens. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 advance and $45 VIP, for 18 and older.

• 7 p.m. May 28 / Pipeline Cafe / (877) 750-4400

STAGE: June 1-19

And here's to Mrs. Robinson and the rest of the players in Manoa Valley Theatre's Hawai'i premiere of the dramedy "The Graduate." The stage adaptation of this popular novel and classic film follows recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock on a sexual odyssey with his girlfriend and her mom. Justin Brossier is Benjamin and Patrice Scott plays Mrs. Robinson. Betty Burdick directs. Tickets are $25 general, with a $5 discount for seniors and military. Those 25 and younger enter for $15.

• 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays June 1-19 / Manoa Valley Theatre / 988-6131

AWARDS: June 3

The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts honors local recording artists with the Hawai'i version of the Grammys, the 2005 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. This year's nominees include Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawai'i, Owana Salazar, Na Palapalai, The Brothers Cazimero and Raiatea Helm, left. Individual tickets are $95, or $85 for HARA members by May 10. Individual premium tickets are $200, or $175 members by May 10.

• 5 p.m. June 3 / Hilton Hawaiian Village, Coral Ballroom / 235-9424

CONCERT: June 7

The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a star-studded bash, "Na 'Ilina." The concert features a plethora of local performers, including Harry Soria, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Mahi and Gaye Beamer, Kahauanu Lake Singers and Emma Veary. The pre-show starts at 7 p.m. with Pa'ahana. A post-show follows with an opportunity to meet the artists, plus music by Paul Martinez and Na Hokupa. Tickets: $20-$25.

• 7:30 p.m. June 7 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

HOT DATES

• May 21-22 Sarah Chang, violin, in concert with the Honolulu Symphony, Blaisdell Concert Hall
• May 21-22 Hawaii Boat Show and Ocean Expo, Ko Olina Resort & Marina
• May 26-29 Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts
• May 26-June 19 50th State Fair, Aloha Stadium
• May 28 Eek-A-Mouse, Hard Rock Cafe
• May 28-29 Powerman 5000, Wave Waikiki
• June 10-11 Comic Doug Stanhope, Blaisdell Center's Pikake Room
• June 18 Salsathon, 5th annual Puerto Rican Cultural and Salsa Festival, McCoy Pavilion
• July 31 Starbucks' 35th annual 'Ukulele Festival, Kapi'olani Park bandstand
• Sept. 24 Taste at Kapolei, Ko Olina Resort & Marina

BUZZING ABOUT

'Take a Walk' tickets

Yes, we now have more details about the June 11 "Take a Walk in the Country 3," the annual bash hosted by The Makaha Sons. Tickets — going on sale Monday at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets — are $10 general, $15-$30 reserved. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m.; gates open at 4 p.m.

Japan's Tube in concert

Tube, a fabulously popular pop/rock band from Japan, is heading for Honolulu for a concert June 3 at Fort DeRussy in Waikiki. The concert has been pre-sold (and sold out) in Japan, but seats are opening up for local fans, who must order tickets online starting at noon Monday. Tickets are $25 and $50; go to www.tubelivehawaii.com. The show begins at 6 p.m.; the venue opens at 4 p.m.

A spiritual benefit on Maui

"An Evening with Ram Dass and Dr. Wayne Dyer," 6:30 p.m. May 19 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater, is a fund-raiser to create a financial foundation for spiritual guru Dass, who had a semi-paralyzing stroke in 1997. Dyer, a part-time resident of Maui, is a noted author and spiritual teacher. Tickets are $25 general; $50 silver; $100 Limelight Gold Circle, which includes a post-event reception. (808) 242-7469.

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.