SEPT. 3-20

It's a crime only if you don't catch Manoa Valley Theatre's season opener "Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit." Funny stuff.

7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays / Manoa Valley Theatre / $20-$35 / 988-6131, www.manoavalleytheatre.com

THURSDAYS, SEPT.-OCT.

The Royal Hawaiian's Curators of Hawaiian Music series couldn't have gotten off to a better start than with Makana. Starting next month it's Maunalua's turn to carry the torch.

6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Thursdays / The Royal Hawaiian hotel, Monarch Room / $49 (kama'aina $39 with Hawai'i ID) / 921-4600

SEPT. 5

The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame's 25th annual Ka Himeni Ana contest features undiscovered Hawaiian musicians performing unplugged and without microphones. Last year's winner, Keauhou (pictured), will open the show, dedicated to Nola Nahalu.

7 p.m. / Hawai'i Theatre / $6-$30 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com

SEPT. 5

The Silversun Pickups seem to be at every major music festival this year and also on every major publication's "watch" list. What's it all mean? Probably that you shouldn't miss this show when they finally get to O'ahu.

8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.) / Pipeline Café / $30, $50 VIP / 877-714-7668, www.groovetickets.com

SEPT. 12-13

Part of the Hawai'i ticket sales for six-time Grammy winner John Legend's three concerts (Maui, Sept. 10) will be donated to Legend's "Show Me Campaign" that helps under-developed African villages.

8 p.m. / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $69.50, $79.50 and $99.50 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

SEPT. 12-13

Way before "So You Think You Can Dance" and similar shows came along, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna set a standard that still leaves audiences breathless. They've aged gracefully and dance beautifully.

8 p.m. Sept. 12, 2 p.m. Sept. 13 / Hawai'i Theatre / $50-$125 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com

SEPT. 16

Bonnie McFarlane, left, and Rich Vos are giving a two-for-one stand-up comedy performance. Vos was on "Last Comic Standing" seasons 1 and 3 and played Lenny Bruce in "American Dreams."

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

SEPT. 25-OCT. 25

"Westside Story" comes to life at Windward Community College. Ron Bright, who helmed last year's production of "Miss Saigon," directs.

7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays (no show Sept. 26) / Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / $18-$28 / 235-7310, www.etickethawaii.com

HOT DATES

Aug. 28 The Fixx, Pipeline Café

Aug. 28-30 Hawai'i's Streetcar Showoff 2009, Blaisdell Exhibition Hall

Aug. 29 I Love Liliha Festival, Prince David Kawananakoa Playground

Aug. 30 Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children Family Fun Day, Honolulu Zoo

Sept. 2 "Tribute to the King of Pop: The Music of Michael Jackson," Gordon Biersch

Sept. 9 Modest Mouse, Pipeline Café

Sept. 12-13, 18-19 "Nocturnal Wanderer," Earle Ernst Lab Theatre

Sept. 23-27 Shaolin Warriors, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Sept. 25 Taking Back Sunday, Pipeline Café