CONCERT: JAN. 5

The next "Live From the Lawn" concert showcases Isle musicians who were recently nominated for the Best Hawaiian Music Album Grammy. In conjunction with the gallery walk First Friday, the sneak-peek event under the stars will feature (confirmed so far) Ledward Ka'apana, Makana, Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku Jr., Richard Ho'opi'i and Peter de Aquino. Last year's concert, below, featuring the nominees drew thousands. Bring lawn chairs, beach mats, and even a picnic.

5-9 p.m. Jan. 5 / Hawai'i State Art Museum / Free / 586-0900, www.hawaii.gov/sfca

CONCERT: JAN. 9

If you like Jack Johnson, you'll love guitar-strumming Matt Costa, who is on tour promoting his album "Songs We Sing." Costa has played two back-to-back sold-out shows in California and has a track on the soundtrack of the Johnson film "A Brokedown Melody."

8 p.m. Jan. 9 / NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St. / $15 advance, $20 at the door/ 548-6398, www.whoisnextdoor.com

CONCERT: JAN. 11

SOJA (Soldiers of Jah Army) and Honolulu's own Ooklah the Moc come together for an all-out reggae bash. The Washington, D.C., group blends conscious roots music with traditional reggae rhythms; its latest CD is titled "Get Wiser."

Doors open at 9 p.m. Jan. 11 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 advance, $25 at the door/ 18 and older / 589-1999, www.inticketing.com

STAGE: JAN. 11- FEB. 11

Want to know "How Fo Be Local in 5 Easy Steps"? "Living Pidgin" showcases Da Pidgin Guerrilla Lee A. Tonouchi's talents through comedic short plays and monologues. The flaws of local society, strained relationships between a son and his Oriental Faddah and a newcomer's struggle through Hawaiian culture are just a sample of what to expect.

8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 11-Feb. 11 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / $16 general, $13 seniors and $10 students / 536-4441, www.kumukahua.org

STAGE: JAN. 13-14

Three-time Grand Slam Champion poet Bridget Gray, left, performs a one-woman show, "Naked Words," presented by GiRL FeST Hawai'i. Gray addresses topics such as racism, gender stereotypes, abuse and sexuality and more. There's a screening of the short film "My Letter To Hip Hop," too.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 and 4 p.m. Jan. 14 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / $8 students and seniors, $10 general / 599-3931, 550-8457, www.girlfesthawaii.org, www.honoluluboxoffice.com

CLUBS: JAN. 14

Blue October, whose October gig was postponed, is finally making an Island appearance in January. The Houston band specializes in songs that reflect life's little hang-ups such as depression, love, drugs and forgiveness and titles such as "Hate Me," "Into the Ocean" and "X-Amount of Words."

8 p.m. Jan. 14 / Pipeline Cafe / $28 general, $50 VIP / 589-1999, (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

FESTIVAL: JAN. 14

Usher in the Year of the Boar at the New Year's 'Ohana Festival, right, which features the rainbow of cultures in Hawai'i. Among the attractions: international cuisine, entertainment, demonstrations, kimono dressing, a craft fair, games and storytelling.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 14 / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field / Free / 945-7633, www.jcch.com

STAGE: JAN. 19-FEB. 10

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth production "A Thousand Cranes" is based on the true story of young Sadako in post-World War II Hiroshima. When she was 2, the atomic bomb was dropped on the city, but she seemed to have no ill effects ... until she was diagnosed 10 years later with radiation sickness. She optimistically aims to fold 1,000 origami cranes in the belief that the gods would grant her wish to become well again. To this day, paper cranes are left at her statue in Hiroshima Peace Park. This production, written by Kathryn Schultz Miller, tells Sadako's story through masks, music, origami and traditional Japanese theater. It's suggested for those age 8 and older.

Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, repeating at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Feb. 10 / $20 general, $10 for those 3-18 and 60 and older on opening night; $16 and $8 for regular performances / 839-9885, www.htyweb.org