THREE WEEKS OF ALOHA

The 63rd annual Aloha Festivals — a series of events that celebrate the cultural heritage of the Islands — start Thursday and continue for three consecutive weekends. This year's theme is "Hula, Let the Story Be Told."

Thursday: Royal Court investiture at 9:30 a.m. at Hilton Hawaiian Village; the opening ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Center's Royal Grove.

Sept. 12: Aloha Festivals Keiki Ho'olaule'a, with activities, arts and crafts and hula performances, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Pearlridge Center.

Sept. 19: Annual Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho'olaule'a, with food, entertainment and hula halau, at 7 p.m. along Kalakaua Avenue.

Sept. 26: Aloha Festivals Floral Parade at 9 a.m. along Kalakaua Avenue, from Ala Moana Park to Kapi'olani Park.

More details: 391-8714, www.alohafestivals.com

PICK UP THIS

Indie rock band the Silversun Pickups return to Honolulu for a one-night-only engagement at 7 p.m. Saturday at Pipeline Café ($30, www.ticketmaster.com). Frontman Brian Aubert is a Kailua boy who moved to L.A. to become a big, bad rock star, and he's well on his way. The Pickups' latest album, "Swoon," hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart.

MODESTY RULES

Having done for indie rock what Nirvana did for grunge, Washington-based Modest Mouse's visit to Honolulu (Pipeline Café, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $32, ticket master.com) is like welcoming Adam and Eve to our humble shores — they're a few of the people who made it all possible for everyone else. We're not worthy.

SO TALENTED!

Show us what you've got at Pipeline Café's talent show Pipeline's Got Talent (8 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 8-29, $10 audience tickets; talent registration at www.pipelinesgottalent.com).

MAN VS. MAC 24-7

Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food," took on MAC 24-7's massive pancakes for an episode of the show. Watch it at 6 p.m. Wednesday at MAC 24-7 (921-5564) or from home, channels 58, 324.

BEST IN SHOW

Show your love for a hound dog. The Hawaiian Kennel Club is hosting a three-day series of American Kennel Club all-breed dog shows over Labor Day weekend at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall (9:30 a.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Sunday and Monday, $5 at the door, 262-5236).

HOT IN HERE

The Hot Club of Hulaville does its gypsy jazz thang at the Doris Duke Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with "Noir: A Gypsy Jazz Operetta" ($25, 532-8700) What's it about? Guns, booze and broads — what else?

THE GAMES WE PLAY

GAME NIGHT AT THE HONOLULU DESIGN CENTER!

NetPlay (instead of network — get it?) / Honolulu Design Center's Cupola Theatre / 7 p.m. Tuesday / Free with drink purchase / 237-5462