STAGE: NOV. 9-17

Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," the tale of Odysseus' journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, will be staged in a version adapted by Mary Zimmerman from the translation by Robert Fitzgerald. Vengeful gods, a seductive sorceress and supernatural creatures stand in the way, but the ever-resourceful hero wins his way back to his faithful wife Penelope and son. Cast members include JEDI (Odysseus) and Charmaine Ray (Penelope), left, and Jennifer Ciufo, Ryan Sutherlan, Marissa Robello and Sisa Grey.

8 p.m. Nov. 9-10, 15-17 and 4 p.m. Nov. 11 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $15 general, $13 students, seniors, military / 455-0385, www.etickethawaii.com

STAGE: NOV. 9-DEC. 9

Moliere's classic comedy "The Imaginary Invalid" centers around a wealthy man crippled by hypochondria; he even tries to marry off his daughter to a physician to ensure that a doctor will always be around. Then there are the romantic twists, miscommunication and much laughter. In the end, love trumps all.

7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Nov. 21 (except Nov. 22), 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 9-Dec. 9 / Paul and Vi Loo Theatre, Hawai'i Pacific University, Kane'ohe / $20 general; $14 students, seniors, military and HPU faculty and staff; $3 HPU students / 375-1282

STAGE: NOV. 9-18

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance presents a major evergreen musical — "Man of La Mancha" — for the first time since 1991's sold-out "West Side Story." "La Mancha" is actually a play-within-a-play: While the author Cervantes is imprisoned, awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition, he and his fellow prisoners act out the story of the chivalrous, though perhaps mad, knight Don Quixote. The Broadway favorite includes the songs "The Impossible Dream," "I am I, Don Quixote" and "I'm Only Thinking of Him." John Mount, left, stars; Glenn Cannon directs.

8 p.m. Nov. 9-10, 14-17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18 / UH-Manoa, Kennedy Theatre / $16 general, $14 seniors, military, UH faculty and staff, $11 students, $5 UH-Manoa students with valid ID / 483-7123, www.etickethawaii.com

CONCERT: NOV. 12

Christopher O'Riley, above, pianist and host of the National Public Radio show "From the Top," comes to town to perform in a Honolulu Chamber Music Series concert. O'Riley is acclaimed as a contemporary classical performer and interpreter of modern rock, tapping the music of Radiohead, Elliot Smith and Nick Drake.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 / Punahou School, Dillingham Hall / $35 general at the door, $30 advance; $20 and $18 for students and Honolulu Symphony musicians / 483-7123, www.etickethawaii.com

CONCERT: NOV. 17

Mystic Roots Band, below, winner of the 2005 Los Angeles Music Award for Best Pop/Reggae Album, brings its fusion of reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, rock, funk and ska to Pipeline Cafe. The group has shared the stage with The Wailers, Pato Banton (as his backup band), Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Jurassic 5 and others. Tune in to hits such as "Sweet Sensi," "Love Hangover," "Tenement Yard" and "April Rain." Na Mele Rasta, Paula Fuga and Ooklah the Moc open.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Nov. 17 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 advance, $25 at the door / 926-3000, www.presaleticketsonline.com

ETC.: NOV. 17

Two Island favorites — food and music — come together at the first Jawaiian Barbeque Cookoff Festival, featuring performances by Natural Vibrations, below, Ooklah the Moc, Insight, Micah G and Frontline, Konfrontation, Mr. 83, Jah Rootz and more. Twenty restaurants will put forth the barbecue grinds. Did we mention there's also a dominos tournament? This is an all-ages event.

2-9 p.m. Nov. 17 / Kualoa Ranch / $15 advance, $20 at the gate, free for children under 12 with paying adult / 877-714-7668, www.groovetickets.com

CONCERT: NOV. 27

America (Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley) is seeing a career resurgence among people nostalgic for those smooth singalong hits such as "Sister Golden Hair" and "Horse With No Name." The duo stops in Hawai'i as part of its world tour that also hits New York, Las Vegas, Austin, Texas, Canada, the Philippines and Singapore.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 / Blaisdell Arena / $45 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

ETC.: DEC. 1

Home is where the Honolulu City Lights are. The city's annual gift to the community is themed "Ku'u Home — Our Home" and features all the festive attractions the thousands of opening-night attendees have come to expect. The schedule: