FESTIVAL: JAN. 27-28

The Polynesian Cultural Center's E Luana Kakou Concert starts off its annual Hawaiian cultural festival celebration. The music starts Jan. 27 with Raiatea Helm, The Makaha Sons, left, and Na Kama performing. The festivities continue the next day with the 15th annual Moanikeala Hula Festival, which pays tribute through song and dance to the late Auntie Sally Wood Nalua'i. Tickets to the Jan. 27 concert are $8 general and ages 3-11. PCC kama'aina annual pass holders pay $5. Tickets to the hula festival are $8 general, $6 ages 3-11, with kama'aina annual pass holders getting in for free.

7:45 p.m. Jan. 27 in Hale Aloha Theater / 10 a.m. Jan. 28 in Pacific Theater, Polynesian Cultural Center / 293-3333

CONCERT: FEB. 3

Have a blast at the British Blues Explosion Tour, featuring legendary John Mayall, right, known as the godfather of British blues, and the Bluesbreakers. Joining in on the fun will be Kim Simmonds, guitarist and founding leader of the band Savoy Brown. Tickets are $40 advance, $50 at the door. Doors open at 8:15 p.m.

8:30 p.m. Feb. 3 / Hawaiian Hut / 941-5205

The tour also rocks the Kauai Memorial Theater Feb. 1, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Feb. 2 and the Big Island's Palace Theatre Feb. 4.

CARNIVAL: FEB. 3-4

Weren't you just wondering when that annual malasadas/rides/games/food/art extravaganza known as the Punahou Carnival, above, was going to happen? Well, here's what you need to know: The theme is "Carnivalot — Damsels & Dragons & Wizards, Oh My!"; admission is free (scrip will be sold to purchase goodies and for activities); the malasadas cost 50 cents each; all the other attractions will be back, including the fine-arts gallery, the White Elephant tent and entertainment. Expect to mingle with tons of people from around the island.

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Feb. 3-4 / Punahou School / 944-5751

STAGE: FEB. 3-5

Jack Cione's "Mardi Gras Follies" showcase, above, is revived this year with 42 numbers performed by the 60-member cast and crew. Among the performers will be Bo Irvine, Cathy Foy, Mariko Lyons and Claudio Otero. With vibrant costumes by Bill Doherty and elaborate stage sets by Wally White, Cione directs a festive music and dance spectacle that's always a feast for the eyes and ears. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 general, with discounts for students, seniors, military and Hawai'i Theatre members.

7:30 p.m. Feb. 3-4 and 2 p.m. Feb. 5 / Hawai'i Theatre / 528-0506

STAGE: FEB. 3-19

The romantic comedy "Enchanted April" takes center stage next month at the Diamond Head Theatre. The play takes place in 1922, when two married British women holiday in Italy with an elderly spinster and a jaded young lady. Randl Ask directs. Tickets are $12-$42.

8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Feb. 11 and 18 and 4 p.m. Sundays Feb. 3-19 / Diamond Head Theatre / 733-0274

CONCERT: FEB. 4

The third all-ages Metalfest metal and hardcore music festival gets things rocking in February. The bash features the sounds of 8mm Overdose, along with The Quintessentials, DeBauch, Augustine, The Insurgents, Dark Harvest, Midnight Ablaze, Laissez Faire, Pacifica, Shadows of Sanctity, Haole Rot, The Aftermath, Dagra, Floodgate and Critical Mass. Admission is $8.

√ p.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 4 / Anna Bannana's / www.underworldevents.com

CONCERT: FEB. 10

Marley Fest '06 pays tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley with more than 25 bands and DJs scheduled to perform on four stages. The party includes entertainment by Gregory Isaacs and the Live Wyaa Band, The Ionz, Irie Souls, Dubkonscious, Ooklah the Moc, B.E.T., Hot Rain, Bamboo and Red Degree. Tickets are $15 presale, for 18 and older.

7 p.m.-3 a.m. Feb. 10 / Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park / presaleticketsonline.com

OPERA: FEB. 10, 12 AND 14

Hawaii Opera Theatre opens its Winter Grand Opera Season 2006 with the tragedy "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. John Packard plays Rigoletto, with Olga Makarina as Gilda and Jorge Yanez Lopes as the Duke of Mantua. Henry Akina directs. English subtitles will be projected above the stage. Tickets are $29-$100.

8 p.m. Feb. 10, 4 p.m. Feb. 12 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / 596-7858

STAGE: FEB. 10-19

Kennedy Theatre offers the American premiere of "Women Generals of the Yang Family," left, a Chinese opera (jingju) in English. The cast of student actors has trained with master teachers from China since August for their roles in this historical drama. At left are cast members Dusty Behner, Nicole Tessier and Nicholas Logue. Tickets are $18 general, $16 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff, $8 students and children and $4 UH-Manoa students.

8 p.m. Feb. 10-11, 15-18 and 2 p.m. Feb. 19 / Kennedy Theatre / 956-7655

CONCERT: FEB. 17

If you're hungry for some rock 'n' roll, you're in luck because the all-acoustic sounds of Hot Tuna are rockin' this way. After starting out as a spinoff of Jefferson Airplane, members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, right, along with Barry Mitterhoff bring forth a folk-blues rock sound. Tickets are $35 advance, $40 at the door, $50 gold circle seating. Doors open 8:15 p.m.

8:30 p.m. Feb. 17 / Hawaiian Hut / 941-5205

Hot Tuna also jams Feb. 16 at the Kauai Memorial Theater, Feb. 18 at the Mauna Lani Beach Resort on the Big Island, and Feb. 19 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater.

STAGE: FEB. 23-MARCH 11

The Jellicle cats are preparing for the Jellicle Ball at Army Community Theatre, which brings the long-running musical "Cats" to center stage. Rocker Rum Tum Tugger, fading actress Grizabella, theatrical Gus and the rest of the gang romp in the junkyard before one of them takes the journey to the Heaviside Layer. Vanita Rae Smith directs. Tickets are $20 and $28 general, and $15 and $22 children.

7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25 and March 3-4, 10-11 / Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter / 438-4480