The Hawai'i Theatre, Downtown Honolulu's mecca for stage, music and dance events, will launch its 85th anniversary season Sept. 7 with an open-house celebration that coincides with that other downtown open house, the monthly First Friday fete of galleries and eateries.

"We can't always get involved with First Friday (a monthly happening), so we're happy to open our doors for the next one," said Burton White, artistic director and manager of the Hawai'i Theatre.

The facility, fully restored to its original glory, has evolved as a major performing arts space with a volley of varied acts and shows. It has played a role in the revitalization and rebirth of the Downtown/Chinatown zone, which for decades was dark and forbidding.

Of course, the arrival of The ARTS at Marks Garage and other bars, clubs and restaurants that stay open and embrace a variety of musicians, DJs and other performers also has contributed to make Downtown a viable destination.

White, who oversees bookings for the theater, said he seeks a diversity of shows.

"It's always a challenge, being the second-largest venue (after the Blaisdell Concert Hall), when we have displacements, like with the Honolulu Symphony," he said. The orchestra has set a handful of Hawai'i Theatre dates because its usual concert-hall venue is booked for the September-December run of "The Lion King."

"It's challenging for the symphony, too," White said. "But I asked our usual users in the fall to help make other arrangements to help accommodate the symphony."

The theater, said Burton, is in constant demand. "We actually are still in a position of turning away clients; we don't always have date availability," he said of the burgeoning calendar.

The 85th season will include standby favorites such as the Hana Hou! Hawaiian music series, to be launched Sept. 14 with a performance by the Barefoot Natives, the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Maui-based duo of Willie K and Eric Gilliom.

The Brothers Cazimero will appear twice — with Robert and Roland Cazimero staging "A Cazimero Christmas" Dec. 21-23 and again March 14 as part of the Hana Hou! slate.

Missing from the Hawai'i Theatre season: the annual Jim Nabors Christmas spectacle, which had a 10-year sold-out run.

"We've been very happy with Jim and the show but felt after a decade it was appropriate for the boss to relax," said White. "But we're in constant discussions (about possible future specials)."

The Hawai'i International Film Festival will take occupancy in October, too.

Theater fans should reflect on "Menopause: The Musical," a cult favorite, when it make its Hawai'i debut in March; a national touring company will do a two-week residency.

HAWAI'I THEATRE 85TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OF SHOWS

SEPTEMBER