December Picks: The 8 Best Things to Do This Month
Tone down the crazy holiday consumerism this month and take your loved ones to some life-enriching activities and events instead.
FILMS
White Christmas
December 5–21, 2014
The title song from the beloved classic film, on which this musical is based, was previously featured in two other Irving Berlin films, Holiday Inn and Blue Skies. Bing Crosby sang it each time.
$15–$35, Diamond Head Theatre, diamondheadtheatre.com
KIDS & FAMILY
30th Anniversary of Honolulu City Lights
December 6–January 1, 2015
Photo: Bob Rock
As the traditional Norfolk pine tree gets lit up for the holiday season, celebrate with a parade, a show headlined by Willie K and other surprises on opening night, and check out big new ornaments and displays.
Honolulu Hale, free, honolulucitylights.org
ENTERTAINMENT
Jason Mraz and Raining Jane
December 11 and 12
Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records |
It’s been long enough since “I’m Yours” was being played on every radio station at all hours of the day that we can finally stand to listen to it again. Mraz’s latest single, “Love Someone,” is just as sunny. He’ll be accompanied by Raining Jane, the female pop group with whom he collaborated on the album Yes!, at these Hawai‘i performances. (They’ll also perform on Maui Dec. 14.)
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $25–$75, jasonmraz.com
SPORTS
Honolulu Marathon Race Day Walk
December 14
Photo: Courtesy Honolulu Marathon |
So you’re not quite ready to tackle the full 26 miles? Take a shorter, 10K route to Kapi‘olani Park. You can still register at the Marathon Expo, Dec. 10–13, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
$70, starts on Ala Moana Boulevard at Queen Street, honolulumarathon.org
EDUCATION
Finding the Silver Lining of the Mānoa Flood
Runs through April 30, 2015
Photo: Christine Takata |
Ten years after a flood decimated the collections of UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library and drowned millions of books, maps, photos and documents in water levels up to eight feet deep, an exhibit of before-and-after displays shows how library faculty and staff were able to recover and conserve flood-damaged maps. They have also created a booklet, Five Minutes to 8, to commemorate the anniversary.
Hamilton Library, free, library.manoa.hawaii.edu
SPORTS
Hawai‘i Bowl
December 24
Other bowl games from Hawai‘i’s history: Poi Bowl (1936–’39), Pineapple Bowl (1940–’41 and 1947–’52), Aloha Bowl (1982–2000) and O‘ahu Bowl (1998–2000).
$5–$45, Aloha Stadium, hawaiibowl.espnevents.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Big Eyes
Opens December 25
Photo: Courtesy The Weinstein Company
Tim Burton’s latest live-action film has all the quirkiness you expect from the idiosyncratic director, but with a different cast of all-stars (Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz) and the added bonus of scenes filmed in Hawai‘i. The movie focuses on artist Margaret Keane (who lived here for 27 years) and her big-eyed paintings, for which her husband claimed credit. Expect some creepiness and Oscar-worthy performances.
New Year’s Eve
December 31
Thanks for the memories, 2014, but we’re ready for a clean slate. Here’s your go-to guide for dancing the year away, partying like it’s a four-day weekend and watching the craziest fireworks on the island. Check back regularly for updates.
READ MORE STORIES BY KATRINA VALCOURT
