CONCERT: JAN. 19

Grammy-nominated Karrin Allyson gives us a taste of South America as she performs in the intimate Doris Duke Theatre in celebration of her new album "Imagina: Songs of Brasil," to be released in March. The singer's repertoire spans jazz standards,

soulful ballads, sambas, tangos and more, but this is the first time she has devoted an entire album to the music of Brazil. Her albums include "Wild For You," the Grammy nominated "Footprints," followed by the critically acclaimed "In Blue."

7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 / Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts / $30 general, $28 museum members / 532-8700.

DANCE: JAN. 19

The annual Hanayagi Dancing Academy's "Maizome," also known as first dance of the year, welcomes the new year through traditional Japanese dance. The recital has been an annual tradition since Hanayagi Mitsuaki founded the academy in 1947. Students of all ages will perform various Japanese dances and shamisen numbers in a showcase of what they've learned over the past year.

1-3 p.m. Jan. 19 / Mission Memorial Auditorium / Free / 381-1859.

DANCE: JAN. 19

Get a taste of the "Big Apple" arts scene as New York City modern dance company Doug Varone and Dancers teams with longtime company member and Hilo native Eddie Taketa in an evening that will feature a new piece set to Jake Shimabukuro's music. Also planned is a piece called "Castles," which invokes the romances of fairy tale characters. Varone and this company have earned eight New York Dance and Performance Awards (Bessies), American Dance Festival Choreography Awards and have performed on stages including The Kennedy Center, London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, Toronto's Harbourfront and many more.

8 p.m. Jan. 19 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $23 adults; $19 students, seniors, military / 483-7123, www.etickethawaii.com.

CONCERT: JAN. 19

Slack-key guitarist Cindy Combs, right, known for her original songs, light jazz and integration of Hawaiian songs, takes the spotlight at the Atherton Performing Arts Studio. Her albums include "Slack Key Lady" in 2001 and "Sunny Rain," released in August.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 / Atherton Performing Arts Studio / $20 general, $17.50 Hawaii Public Radio members, $10 students / 955-8821.

CONCERT: JAN. 25

Skate punk, Christian punk, pop punk — this is the domain of MxPx, right, whose latest disc, "Secret Weapon," was released in July. The trio — Mike Herrera, Tom Wisniewski and Yuri Ruley — come this way every seven years or so. Guest performers include local bands Unit 101 and 82Fifty. For all ages.

Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 Jan. 25 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 advance, $25 general, $45 VIP / 926-3000, www.808shows.com.

STAGE: JAN. 25-FEB. 3

The University of Hawai'i-Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance presents "A (Balinese) Tempest,"

right, an adaptation of Shakespeare's magical tale of comedy, romance and reconciliation. Traditional Balinese and Elizabethan elements will be fused into the production under the direction and live music of I Nyoman Sumandhi. Performers, puppeteers and musicians will be under the guest direction of Larry Reed and Kristin Pauka.

8 p.m. Jan. 25-26, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 and 2 p.m. Feb. 3 / UH-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre / $16 general; $14 UH faculty, staff, seniors, military; $11 students; $5 UH students / 483-7123, www.etickethawaii.com.

CONCERTS: JAN. 30-FEB. 2

The Hawaii Rhythm and Blues Mele '08 features Chicago blues-harmonica legend James Cotton, right, and his band in concerts on four islands. The show at the Hawaiian Hut also features Travis Haddix. Hits such as "I Got My Mojo Working" and "She's Nineteen Years Old" with the Muddy Waters Band solidified his "Superharp" legend status. The schedule: