SEPT. 29

The annual Mai Tai Rumble has become a launching pad for local bands. With more than $30,000 in prizes at stake, it's easy to see why. This is 10 weeks of top music competition, every Tuesday night. Let's get it on!

9 p.m. / Mai Tai Bar, Ala Moana Center / 21 and older / free / 947-2900, www.maitairumble.com

OCT. 2-4

"When the Cassowary Pooped" is not just an eye-catching title, it's also a clever youth theater production introducing keiki to the endangered species of New Guinea. Laughing and learning, can't beat it.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-3, 1:30 and 4 p.m. Oct. 4 / Kennedy Theatre / $5-$15 / 956-7655, www.etickethawaii.com

OCT. 3-4

The 35th Annual Intertribal Powwow is a chance for families to experience the sights, sounds and spirit of Native America though music, dance and storytelling. Plenty of food and crafts are part of the festivities, too.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Thomas Square / free / 734-8018

OCT. 3

The Zoofari 2009 benefit takes place on the Honolulu Zoo's main lawn. Funds raised help the zoo's educational programs for keiki. A silent auction, entertainment, dancing, food and beverages are part of the fun.

6-10 p.m. / Honolulu Zoo / $250 / 926-3191, www.honzoosoc.org.

OCT. 14

Absolutely, positively, if you love to laugh, then you MUST make plans to check out comedian Steve Byrne. He's been known to take audiences to "candyland" and other places only he can make laugh-out-loud funny.

8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.) / Pipeline Café / $20, $40 VIP / 877-714-7668, www.groovetickets.com

OCT. 15-25

An entire section of HIFF is going to be devoted to surf movies this year. These flicks aren't all about the waves, either. One we're looking forward to is "The Drifter," which follows Rob Machado (pictured) as he does some soul searching in Indonesia.

HIFF schedule and ticket information at www.Hiff.org / 697-2463

NOV. 15

Band Camp VII will be the biggest the annual event yet, thanks to The Fray coming back to town to headline. They've come a long way since releasing "How to Save a Life."

6 p.m. (doors open 4:30 p.m.) / Waikiki Shell / $20, $37, $39.50, $55 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

NOV. 17

!!! (pronounced "chk chk chk,") supposedly took its name from subtitles in "The Gods Must Be Crazy." That the indie rocker's name is difficult to figure out may be the one reason you've never heard of them.

!!! / 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) / Loft Gallery and Lounge / $25 / www.groovetickets.com

HOT DATES

Sept. 25 Taking Back Sunday, Pipeline Café Sept. 25 "Fame" (pictured) opens in theaters

Sept. 25-Oct. 11 "The Drowsy Chaperone," Diamond Head Theatre

Sept. 26 "An Evening of Super Jazz Guitars Event," Doris Duke Theatre

Sept. 26 Separate Ways, The Ultimate Journey Experience, Pipeline Café

Sept. 26 Windward Ho'olaulea, Windward Community College

Sept. 30 Elayne Boosler, Pipeline Café Oct. 1 3OH!3, Pipeline Café

Oct. 2 Studio 54 with Crimestoppers Honolulu Inc Fundraiser, Hard Rock Café Oct. 2 Twinkle Brothers, Pipeline Café

Oct. 2-3 Comedian Jo Koy, Pipeline Café