CONCERT: SEPT. 15

R&B singing sensation Rihanna returns to the Islands, this time in a far better venue than the last time (dedicated fans will recall that Rihanna performed in June at the 50th State Fair at the Aloha Stadium parking lot). The Barbados songbird recently was named Choice Female Artist and Choice R&B Artist in the Teen Choice Awards. Her hits include "Pon de Replay," "SOS," "Unfaithful" and "We Ride." The event is hosted by TV personality Rachel Perry.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 / Pipeline Cafe / $25 general / 589-1999, (877) 750-4400

STAGE: SEPT. 15

Award-winning visual artist and puppeteer Joseph Cashore, right, has been designing and performing with his marionettes for more 30 years around the world. In a performance titled "Simple Gifts," the marionettes come to life in scenes from everyday life, delivering a range of emotions from comic to tragic. Recommended for adults and youngsters 8 and older.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 / Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / $18 general, $13 seniors, UH faculty/staff and military, $8 UH students and those age 8-17 / 944-2697, 956-8246, www.etickethawaii.com

Also: Cashore brings his marionettes to a concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are the same as above.

FESTIVAL: SEPT. 15

Celebrate the Aloha Festivals and multiculturalism at the Downtown Mele, formerly called the Downtown Ho'olaule'a. Thousands of residents (especially the pau hana crowd) and visitors are expected to take in the lei and food booths, dancing and entertainment on various stages on Bishop Street and at the Hawai'i Maritime Center. Especially noteworthy this year: It's the final O'ahu performance of longtime duo Ho'onu'a, below.

6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 / Downtown Honolulu along Bishop Street / Free (purchase of $5 Aloha Festivals ribbon suggested) / www.alohafestivals.com

CLUBS: SEPT. 15

How many DJs could you possibly pack in one event? Find out at Indigo's next Get Fresh! party, which becomes a benefit for KTUH and Earth Day Network. More than 20 KTUH alumni, DJs and bands set to perform every genre of music possible; expect hip-hop, house and dance hall in three rooms. Live performances will be offered by Black Square, Golfcart Rebellion and Newjass Quartet.

9 p.m. Sept. 15 / Indigo Eurasian Cuisine / $10-12; half price with University of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Pacific University or Chaminade ID / 521-2900, 958-7261

CONCERT: SEPT. 16

It's Method Man, right, without his partner-in-vibes Red Man ... although he will bring along the obvious East-coast swagger to Pipeline Cafe. You may have seen Method on the big screen in films such as "How High," "Soul Plane" and "Belly," to name a few. And with platinum status albums such as "Tical" and "Tical 2000: Judgement Day," he shows no signs of slowing down, especially with the just-released CD "4:21: The Day After."

9 p.m Sept. 16 / Pipeline Cafe / $25 advance, $35 at the door / 589-1999, www.presaleticketsonline.com

EXPO: SEPT. 22-24

Hawaii Seniors' Fair: The Good Life Expo returns for the 22nd year with entertainment, crafts, contests, exercise demonstrations, seminars and healthy cooking demos. Flu and pneumonia vaccinations will also be available. The 2006 ambassador is radio personality Michael W. Perry. The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor.

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 22-24 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / Free / 832-7878

CONCERTS: OCT. 6-7

The Honolulu Symphony Pops 2006-07 season kicks off with the "Queen of the Eighties," Pat Benatar, right. Benatar's Grammy Award-winning pop/rock vocals soared in songs like "Heartbreaker," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "We Belong." Matt Catingub conducts.

8 p.m. Oct. 6-7 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / Tickets begin at $15 / 792-2000

STAGE: OCT. 7

Tau Dance Theatre developed "Naupaka: A Hawaiian Love Story," a contemporary opera, based on the classic story of forbidden love between an ali'i (noble class) and a low-born. The performance includes chant, falsetto, orchestral and choral compositions tied in with modern dance. It will be rendered almost entirely in Hawaiian, with English subtitles. Peter Rockford Espiritu of Tau Dance Theatre directs.

8 p.m. Oct. 7 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $25 general, $21 seniors , students and military / 455-0380, 455-0385, http://lcctheatre.hawaii.edu