nov. 13-14, 20-21

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" is based on two minor characters in the William Shakespeare tragic comedy "Hamlet." It's weighty, but it's also a comedy.

7:30 p.m. / Punahou School, Dillingham Hall / $10 adults and $5 for students and senior citizens with ID / 943-3295

nov. 13-15

The Great American Circus is a circus with a purpose: to teach keiki eco-friendly values. Buy one adult ticket and get a child ticket free.

7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and 2 and 6 p.m. Nov. 15 / Blaisdell Arena / $14-$38 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

nov. 13

Japanese reggae star and former lead singer of Dry &Heavy Likkle Mai, left, puts on a crazy show. Humble Soul & Rootikal Riddim will be the opening acts.

10 p.m. (doors open 9 p.m.) / Pipeline Café / $20 presale, $25 at the door, $45 VIP / 877-714-7668, http://www.groovetickets.com

nov. 13

"Give2Live" is the 20th anniversary fundraiser for the Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry. Powerhouse, right, is lending its funky '70s sound to the cause. They'll be joined by 17 other entertainers from the decade that brought you to disco and funk.

6 p.m. / Dole Cannery Ballrooms / $50 / 741-1222

Nov. 15-16

Chamber Music Hawaii, right, offers "A Trio of Trios," featuring Brahms' Horn Trio for horn, violin and piano.

4 p.m. Nov. 15, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College / $25, $20 for seniors, military, free for students / 489-5038, http://www.chambermusichawaii.com

Nov. 27

Check Gabriel Iglesias' "I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy" Comedy Central special Nov. 8 and decide for yourself if you want to see this fluffy guy, left, always draped in Hawaiian shirts in person. We're thinking you will.

7 p.m. / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $35 / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

dec. 5

So other than the North Shore surf coming in, the Honolulu City Lights are the best signal Christmas is around the corner. This year is the 25th anniversary of the famed City Lights and promises to be one of the best ever.

4 p.m. / Honolulu Hale / Free / www.honolulu.gov/csd/citylights

Nov. 18

Funny and hot, what more could a man want? Whitney Cummings, right, has been delivering one-liners on "Chelsea Lately" and roasted Joan Rivers this past summer. (Sure, that's easy, but she really is funny.)

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

hot dates

Nov. 13-14 Honolulu Symphony Toyota Pops: 40th anniversary of he The Beatles' "Abbey Road," Blaisdell Concert Hall

Nov. 15 Loggins and Messina, Blaisdell Concert Hall

Nov. 15 Star 101.9's Band Camp VII, featuring The Fray and Panic at the Disco, Waikiki Shell

Nov. 17 !!!, Pipeline Café

Nov. 20-21 Richard Thompson, McCoy Studio Theatre, MACC; Paliku Theatre, WCC

Nov 25 Livewire 2009, Pipeline Café

Nov. 27 Common Sense, Pipeline Café

Nov. 27-29 "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors," Hawai'i Theatre

Nov. 28 Dane Cook, Blaisdell Arena

Nov. 28 Mae and Owl City, Pipeline Café