Fab for the holidays
| Santa parades |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Ho, ho, ho — the season of Santas, Nutcrackers, gingerbread houses, craft fairs and holiday concerts beckons.
You know the drill: It's time to think holidays.
Start by prioritizing events and dates on your calendar; get tickets, save the dates, plan ahead — it's better to be early than sorry.
Here are 25 ways to make your Christmas merry and bright:
1 — "Plaid Tidings," the sequel to "Forever Plaid" with holiday tinsel, tonight through Dec. 2 at Manoa Valley Theatre. It's a blend of nostalgia and Christmas. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays (no show Nov. 29). $35. 988-6131.
2 — Christmas train, times two:
3 — Check out a Christmas parade, as Santa starts his rounds, beginning tonight.
4 — "The Christmas Gift of Aloha," a holiday show by Lisa Matsumoto with music by Roslyn, is now an Ala Moana Center tradition. It premieres at 6 p.m. today and continues at 6 p.m. daily except Mondays at Centerstage. Merry the Elf and Mele the menehune star; it "snows" at the finale. Free.
5 — Christmas craft fairs are bountiful. These are worth visiting:
6 — "Christmas Talk Story," a Honolulu Theatre for Youth compilation of holiday reflections by local writers culls the best of the past eight years, starting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews Cathedral. Repeats at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22. $20 opening night; $16 adults, $8 youths 3-18, seniors 60 and older, students. 839-9885.
7 — Breakfast or Lunch With Santa:
8 — Christmas water parades:
9 — "Nutcracker" productions? There are three classics and a newbie:
10 — 26th annual World Art Bazaar, opening Saturday through Dec. 9, at the Academy Art Center at Linekona, 1111 Victoria St. Exotic treasures and finds from China, Nepal, Africa, Mexico and India bring the world under one roof. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. 532-8704.
11 — "Meet Me in St. Louis," a musical chestnut with a holiday hit song, opens at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at Diamond Head Theatre. This is the Broadway jewel based on the movie that was a Judy Garland hit, notable for "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song." 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, Saturday matinees at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15; $12-$42. 733-0274, www.diamondheadtheatre.com.
12 — Honolulu City Lights, opening Dec. 1, Honolulu Hale and grounds. Food booths open at 4 p.m., Skygate area; Kawaiaha'o Church concert, 5 to 5:30 p.m.; Electric Light Parade, from 6 p.m., at A'ala Park area proceeding toward City Hall along King Street, followed by tree lighting by Mayor and Mrs. Mufi Hannemann; decorated tree and wreath displays in Honolulu Hale courtyard open at 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m. at Skygate area. The City Lights display, on view at City Hall, the Board of Water Supply on Beretania Street and in the Downtown corridor on Bishop Street and King Street, will continue through Jan. 1.
Kapolei City Lights kick off 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 8, with an electric light parade at 6 p.m. and tree lighting at 7:30 p.m.
13 — Honolulu City Lights Trolley Tours gives you a moving perch to enjoy the lighted splendor. Two to choose from:
14 — "Christmas in Polynesia," a four-week yuletide series at the Polynesian Cultural Center in La'ie assembles local bands, hula halau and other attractions for holiday sharing. The series will launch Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. with Raiatea Helm, and other local acts will be showcased at 5 p.m. Fridays, as follows: Dec. 7, Ten Feet; Dec. 14, Koa'uka; Dec. 21,The 'Opihi Pickers; and Dec. 28, Justin Young. Free. Daily Christmas storytelling in the villages; special attractions during nighttime shows. Free. 293-3333.
15 — A Motown Christmas With The Four Tops and The Spinners, at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8, Blaisdell Arena. Maestro Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra accompany the soul sensations, who will surely dust off their hits such as "Baby, I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "I Can't Help Myself," "Then Came You" and "I'll Be Around." $14-$79. 792-0000, www.honolulusymphony.com.
16 — Christmas Spectacular by The Movement Company, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 7 p.m. Dec. 8, at Mamiya Theatre, Saint Louis School. More than 130 keiki and adults will participate; the pair of daytime shows are free for senior groups and outreach shelters; evening show, $15. 735-8641. Also, "Cookies With Santa," an activity for keiki 3 to 8, with crafts, cookies and storytime with Santa, is set for 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Loo Student Center, Chaminade University. Part of The Movement Center's holiday events. $25 per child, $20 for siblings. RSVP by Monday at 735-8641.
17 — "Rudolph Retires," a Sounds of Aloha (barbershop harmony) concert, at 7:37 p.m. Dec. 8 and 4:07 p.m. Dec. 9, Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College. Numerous choruses and quartets perform; the Diamond Head Shooting Stars guest. $20. 262-7664.
18 — 8th annual Gingerbread Family Festival, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 9, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Families or groups (up to four) or individuals will create gingerbread houses from kits. Cost to participate: $39 for groups to make, then take home; or $29 for kit to go. Kama'aina Kids (226-4538) or Easter Seals Hawai'i (948-4000). Reservation deadline is past, but if kits remain, you can buy one. Watching is free. 536-1015. Also: Decorated houses will be on view noon-5 p.m. Dec. 14-24 at Ward Warehouse, second floor, above Chowder House. Free.
19 — 16th annual Deaf Santa celebration, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 at Uptown, Pearlridge Center. The state's lone deaf and signing Santa welcomes the deaf to express their wishes — something the hearing community takes for granted.
20 — Frank DeLima Christmas concert, 8 p.m. Dec. 14, C'est Si Bon, Pagoda Hotel. Expect the funny man in his Christmas tree get-up, reviving his "Filipino Christmas." With buffet dinner; $48 adults, $16.95 children 3-10; doors open at 6 p.m. 948-8370. (No walk-ins).
21— "Christmas Memories," with The Makaha Sons, at 10:30 a.m. (show at 11 a.m.) Dec. 15, Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Jerome Koko and John Koko welcome Hoku Zuttermeister, Leilani Bond, Willie K, Melveen Leed and Kealo Koko and Tunui's Royal Polynesians. $60; $100 VIP package; 922-4422, www.makahasons.com.
22 — Ho'okena Christmas concert, from 11 a.m. (buffet at 11 a.m., show at noon) Dec. 16 and from 5:30 p.m. (buffet at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.) Dec. 16, at the Hibiscus Ballroom, Ala Moana Hotel. Chris Kamaka, Glen Smith, Horace Dudoit and Manu Boyd render holiday faves; Willie K is guest star. Luncheon buffet, $50 adults, $25 children 4 through 11; dinner, $65 and $32.50. 944-4811.
23 — "A Christmas Gift" with Na Leo, at 8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20, Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village. Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales host Keali'i Reichel, Willie K and Kaukahi for an all-star package. $38. www.naleo.net.
24 — 2nd annual Peace on Earth concert, 6 p.m., Dec. 19, Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. Keith and Carmen Haugen assemble a host of guests for a holiday freebie: Stanton Haugen and The Thursday Night Band, Jamie Uchima, Noelani Mahoe, Al Waterson, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Mel Murata and the Keiki Palaka Band, George Kuo, Bryan Tolentino, Don "Geezer" Humphrey, Albert Kaai, Art Kalahiki, the Carmen Haugen Quartet and Ron Miyashiro.
25 — A Cazimero Christmas, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21-22 and 2 p.m. Dec. 23, Hawai'i Theatre. Robert and Roland Cazimero — joined by Leina'ala Heine Kalama, Halau Na Kamalei, the Royal Dance Company, Miss Keiki Hula 2007 (Marissa Medrano) and Master Keiki Hula 2007 (T.J. Idemoto) — become the resident holiday honchos at the downtown facility, now that Jim Nabors has retired his Christmas endeavor after a 10-year run. $30, $40, $50 and $75. 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.