CONCERT: JAN. 20

Get a taste of traditional Irish music, jigs and reels at The Makem and Spain Brothers (above) benefit concert in support of The Friends of Saint Patrick's Day Parade and Scholarship Fund. The folk quintet's hits include "Lark in the Morning," "Rising of the Moon" and "Fine Boys You Are." The parade is scheduled for March 17 through Waikiki.

8 p.m. Jan. 20 / Events at the Tower, Aloha Tower Marketplace/ $25 general, $20 students and military / 21 and older / 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

CONCERT: JAN. 21

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founder of the Allman Brothers Band, singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso Gregg Allman, right, will make his debut in the Islands with stops on Kaua'i, Maui, the Big Island and finally O'ahu. His hits include "Midnight Rider," "Please Call Home" and "Whipping Post."

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show at 6:30 Jan. 21 / Events at the Tower, Aloha Tower Marketplace / $60 advance, $70 at the door/ 896-4845, 545-2980, www.hawaiisbesttickets.com.

Neighbor Islands: 7 p.m. Jan. 17, Kaua'i War Memorial Theater; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center; 8 p.m. Jan. 20, Hilton Waikoloa Village Grand Ballroom

CONCERT: FEB. 2

The New Orleans-based band The Radiators heats up the Mardi Gras season. The Radiators are known for "Fish Head Music," a fusion of blues, R&B, country, soul, swing, gospel — in fact, no genre is ruled out. "Love Grows On Ya," "Talk to Me Baby" and "Doctor Doctor" are are a few of the group's hit tunes.

Doors open at 8:15 p.m., show at 9 Feb. 2 / Hawaiian Hut / $45 advance, $50 at the door / 941-5205.

Neighbor Islands: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center; 10 p.m. Feb. 3, Palace Theater, Hilo; 6 p.m. Feb. 4, Kilohana Plantation, Kaua'i.

FESTIVAL: FEB. 2-4

Experience three days of workshops and performances in the day and put those moves to use at evening dance parties at the Hawaii Salsa Festival. Local and Mainland instructors will have you grooving to the Son Caribe band, right, BYU Hawai'i Salsa Orchestra and salsa DJs. There's a preview party, too, 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Feb. 1 at Rumours nightclub at the Ala Moana hotel ($5 before 9 p.m., $8 afterward; for those 21 and older).

6 p.m. Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Feb. 3-4 / Queen Kapi'olani Hotel / Packages, including daytime workshops and night parties, are $225 before Jan. 31, $250 at the door; $125 kama'aina, $100 per person for groups of five or more. Night parties are $30 and $40 / 255-8768, www.hawaiisalsafestival.com.

OPERA: FEB. 2, 4 AND 6

"Love clouded my reason when I believed your promise." — Act II, "Samson & Dalila"

The tale of forbidden love comes to life in "Samson & Dalila" by Camille Saint-Saens, setting the stage as the opening production of the Hawaii Opera Theatre season. Mark Lundberg is Samson, Malgorzata Walewska is Dalila. William Florescu directs. Other productions are Mozart's "Don Giovanni" Feb. 16, 18 and 20; and Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" March 2, 4 and 6.

8 p.m. Feb. 2, 4 p.m. Feb. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $29, $42, $ 58, $85 and $120 / 596-7858, www.hawaiiopera.org.

CONCERT: FEB. 3-4

From the book to television to the live touring group, The Cheetah Girls are a certified Disney sensation, and the Girls are coming to Ho-nolulu as part of their "The Party's Just Begun Tour," with special guest Everlife. Sabrina, Adrienne and Kiely (sorry, no Raven) will perform hits such as "Cinderella," "Girl Power" and "Together We Can."

4:00 p.m. Feb. 3-4 / Blaisdell Arena / $29.50 and $39.50 / (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

CONCERT: FEB. 3

Steel guitar comes back to Hawai'i in the hands of the Campbell Brothers, left, an edgy gospel group that fuses rock, funk and gusty vocals in a technique called framming. "Good All the Time," "I'll Fly Away" and "Pass Me Not" are just a sample of the group's uplifting tunes. Get a rocking, body-shaking preview at www.campbellbrothers.com.

8 p.m. Feb. 3 / Leeward Community College Theatre / $23 adults, $19 students, seniors and military / 455-0385, 455-0380, http://lcctheatre.hawaii.edu.

EXPO: FEB. 9-11

So many things fast and thrilling will be under one roof at The Hawaii Big Boy's Show, which features the latest cars, custom motorcycles, sporting goods, gadgets, health and fitness, hobbies and exhibits. There's entertainment, a beer garden, video gaming competitions and lingerie and bikini fashion shows, too.

5-10 p.m. Feb. 9, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 10 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 11 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / $8 general, $5 seniors and children / 216-8863, www.thehawaiibigboysshow.com.

FESTIVAL: FEB. 11

If you love music, and especially jazz, mark your calendars for the first Hawaii International Jazz Festival concert at Windward Community College. National and local artists come together to conduct clinics and entertain alongside art exhibits and food booths. The festival features Jeff Peterson, DeShannon Higa, the Honolulu Jazz Quartet, right, Bobby Thursby and more.

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 11 / Windward Community College, Great Lawn / Free / www.hawaiijazz.com.