HOT DATES

Jan. 18-Feb. 23 "Maui vs. Hercules," a Honolulu Theatre for Youth production, Tenney Theater

Jan. 24-26 "Don Carlo," Hawaii Opera Theatre, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Jan. 26 "That Big '80s Show," Pipeline Cafe

Jan. 31 Hawaii Rhythm and Blues Mele '08, featuring James Cotton, Hawaiian Hut

Feb. 7-9 "The Barber of Seville," Hawaii Opera Theatre at Blaisdell Concert Hall

Feb. 16-17 The Police in concert, Blaisdell Arena

March 5-23 "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," a music revue at Manoa Valley Theatre.

March 14-16 14th annual Honolulu Festival, featuring Pacific Rim music and art.

March 16 Kenny G, with the Honolulu Symphony Pops, Blaisdell Concert Hall

CONCERT: JAN. 5

Oh, the horrors: Horror-punk trio the Misfits — named after Marilyn Monroe's final movie — ends its 30th anniversary tour here in the islands. Also on the lineup: local bands Corrupt Absolute, Mistermeaner (it's their CD-release party) and The Knumbskulls.

7 p.m. Jan. 5 / Pipeline Cafe / $20 advance, $25 at the door, $40 VIP (sold out) / 926-3000, www.808shows.com

STAGE: JAN. 10-FEB. 10

Goddess of fire Pele, Kamapua'a and the famous love triangle among Pele, her sisters Hi'iaka, Kaua'i and chief Lohiau are featured in "Pele Ma," a stage adaptation by John Wat and two former Mid-Pacific students of the book "Pele Ma: Legends of Pele from Kaua'i" (Bamboo Ridge Press, 2001) by Frederick Wichman of Kaua'i. Watch for Lindsey Shannon as the Red Pele; she originated the role four years ago.

8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays (except Feb. 3) Thursday-Feb. 10 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / $16 general, $13 seniors 62 and older and $10 students with ID / 536-4441, www.kumukahua.org

CONCERT: JAN. 11

Hear the nominees for the Grammy Awards' best Hawaiian music album showcase their talents. Several of the musicians are slated to perform, including Raiatea Helm and Cyril Pahinui. The albums up for the award are "Ka Hikina O Ka Hau" by Keola Beamer; "Hawaiiana" by Tia Carrere; "He'ela" by Cyril Pahinui; "Hawaiian Blossom" by Raiatea Helm; and "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" by various artists.

5-9 p.m. Jan. 11 / Hawai'i State Art Museum / Free / 586-9959.

SPECIAL EVENT: JAN. 12

Circus meets cabaret at ARTafterDARK's annual Starlight Ball. "Circo di Notti" will feature roaming and performance artists, food from top local restaurants, bidding wars for luxury accessories and artwork and more. The event is a benefit for the Academy of Arts' Art To Go Program, which provides art instruction and supplies to children across the state.

7-11 p.m. Jan. 12 / Honolulu Academy of Arts / $85 / 532-8700, www.honoluluacademy.org.

STAGE: JAN. 13

"Peter and the Wolf" gets a makeover courtesy of Jim Gamble Puppet Productions. Master puppeteer John Chambers presents this unique version of the classic tale, setting rod puppets to Prokofiev's famous score.

2 p.m. Jan. 13 / Kennedy Theatre, UH-Manoa / $12 general, $11 seniors, military and UH faculty and staff, $10 children or students, $5 UH students with valid ID / 483-7123, www.hawaii.edu/kennedy.

SPECIAL EVENT: JAN. 13

Yum: Korean American Foundation Hawai'i's third annual "Light of the Orient" banquet is a way to honor key contributors to Hawai'i's Korean community. That would be Kwan Jay Cho, former president of the National Unification Advisory Council-Hawai'i chapter; Pat Hamamoto, Department of Education superintendent; Kathryn Whang Inouye, chief operating officer of the Kobayashi Group LLC; and Chief Justice Ronald Moon of the Hawai'i Supreme Court.

5:30-9 p.m. Jan. 13 / Sheraton Waikiki Hotel / $75 / 275-3010; in Korean, 943-4144.

ART EXHIBIT: JAN. 15-29

ProjectFocus Hawaii and Kids Hurt Too present "Lost and Found," a photography project designed to help youths find a place for continued healing over the loss of a loved one. Guided by professional photographers, children created their own imagery and contribute moving commentary about their loss — and healing.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Jan. 15-29 / Honolulu Hale courtyard / free / 224-5995, www.projectfocushawaii.com.

STAGE: JAN. 16-FEB 3

"Doubt" a Pulitzer- and Tony-winning drama by John Patrick Shanley about paranoia and pedophilia in the Catholic church, gets the Manoa Valley Theatre treatment with guest-director Vanita Rae Smith at the helm. Jo Pruden is Sister Aloysius; Russell Motter is Father Flynn.

7:30 Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays / Manoa Valley Theatre / $30 ($25 seniors, $15 age 25 and younger) / 988-6131 / www.manoavalleytheatre.com.

SPECIAL EVENT: JAN. 18-20

How high can they go? The Shanghai Circus hits Hawai'i for a four-island tour. The company has toured Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey and Indonesia. Check out lavish costumes and music, but the way the players move their bodies is sure to make you ache just by watching. They last performed at Hawai'i Theatre in early January, 2007.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 18; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19-20 / Hawai'i Theatre / $22.50, $27.50, $37.50 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com

7 p.m. Jan. 21-22 / Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater / $10, $18, $23 / 808-242-7469, www.mauiarts.org.

SPECIAL EVENT: JAN. 21

Hawai'i will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a parade and unity celebration. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of King's assassination.

9 a.m. Jan. 21 / Magic Island / free / 741-4038, www.mlk-hawaii.com.

CONCERT: FEB. 28-MARCH 2

"An Evening With" Hot Tuna Acoustic and electric blues trio Hot Tuna bring their strumming skills to Hawai'i for a four-show tour. During "An Evening With Hot Tuna," band members Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady and Barry Mitterhoff will perform hits from a career that has spanned more than three decades and produced more than two dozen albums — not including solo performances, side projects and guest appearances.

7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 / Performing Arts Center, Kaua'i Community College, Lihu'e / $40 / 808-245-8352, www.hawaiisbesttickets.com.