What's Up!
Advertiser Staff
ETC.: DEC. 27
"Las Vegas Strip" is the theme of the latest show by Honolulu's own Cherry Blossom Cabaret. Besides the Blossoms, The Padilla Quartet performs jazz and Vegas standards; and DJs Dusty Crates and The Mechanic Joey The Wrench will spin for all they're worth.
Doors open at 9 p.m. Dec. 27 / Loft Gallery and Lounge / $10 before 10 p.m., $15 afterward / www.myspace.com/cherryblossomburlesque
CONCERT: DEC. 27
The Honolulu Symphony and Symphony Chorus present Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, known simply as Beethoven's Ninth, the annual celebration for the new year. As usual, Friedrick Schiller's inspirational "Ode to Joy" is part of the program. Maestro Andreas Delfs conducts.
8 p.m. Dec. 27 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $20-$82 (or add $10 when pairing with another holiday concert) / 792-2000, www.honolulusymphony.com
DANCE: JAN. 3
Tickets are on sale for a concert by dance crews Fanny Pak and SoReal Cru. The Los Angeles-based Fanny Pak, which includes Honolulu's own Cara "Barracuda" Horibe, was a top contender in "America's Best Dance Crew." The Houston-based SoReal also was a finalist on "America's Best Dance Crew."
7 p.m. Jan. 3 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $30, $40, $60 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com
CONCERT: JAN. 5
Hit-maker Ne-Yo, whose latest CD "Year of the Gentleman" is a recent nominee for six Grammy awards, including best album, makes his Honolulu debut in the new year. Ne-Yo broke through with the multi-platinum "In My Own Words" in 2006. He's also a prolific songwriter (for stars including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and others); and an occasional actor.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 / Blaisdell Arena / $35, $45, $55 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com
CONCERTS: JAN. 8, 11
Roots rock reggae band SOJA, left, the Soldiers of Jah Army, returns to the Islands for two performances. Their first stop will be in Honolulu, with Natural Vibrations, Konfrontation and Pacific Sounds Outernational. Then they head for an all-ages show on Kaua'i. The band recently released its "Live in Hawaii" DVD, which was filmed during its 2008 tour, and is currently working on another album.
COMEDY: JAN. 14
Fans of the NBC comedy "The Office" will recognize him as the warehouse guy Darryl. But Craig Robinson's comedy accomplishments go back 10 years, when he won the Oakland Comedy Competition. Since then, he's made a number of TV appearances, including Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" and on sitcoms.
8:30 p.m. Jan. 14 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 general, $40 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com
STAGE: JAN. 14-FEB. 1
A musical within a musical, "Gutenberg! The Musical!" opens the new year at the Manoa Valley Theatre. The two-man show is performed as a backer's audition, and follows Bud and Doug, aspiring playwrights, author of a musical about Johannes Gutenberg, which they pitch to producers in hopes of making it to Broadway. Elitei Tatafu Jr. is Bud; Tony Young is Doug. Rob Duval is the guest director.
Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14; repeats 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 1 / Manoa Valley Theatre / $35 general, $30 seniors and military, $20 for those 25 and younger / 988-6131, www.manoavalleytheatre.com
CONCERTS: JAN. 16, 17
Punk rock band NOFX drops in for shows in Honolulu and on Maui. The band celebrated its 25th anniversary this year; its current lineup includes founding members guitarist Eric Melvin, bassist/vocalist Fat Mike, drummer Erik Sandin and guitarist El Jefe, who joined the group in 1991. NOFX's next album album is due next year.
STAGE: JAN. 16-18
The circus is coming to town — the New Shanghai Circus, left, that is, for three breathtaking performances at the Hawai'i Theatre. The troupe, touring since 1991, showcases feats of strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, contortion and magic. The New Shanghai Circus was mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning more national medals than any other acrobatic troupe in the world.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17-18 / Hawai'i Theatre / $22.50, $27.50, $37.50 / 528-0506
CONCERT: JAN. 17
Gloria Estefan, right, five-time Grammy Award winner and recently named the "Person of the Year" by the Latin Grammy Award Recording Association, returns to Honolulu for a concert. Expect to hear hits from her days with Miami Sound Machine and her solo career, including "Conga," "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" and "Anything For You." Estefan is celebrating her 25th year in show biz.
8 p.m. Jan. 17 / Blaisdell Arena / $65, $85, $100 general; $125 VIP golden circle tickets / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com
