CONCERT: JAN. 5, 7

Ring in the New Year with "Emotion and Excitement" as Scottish percussionist Colin Currie, right, chosen a BBC New Generation Artist from 2003 to 2005, joins the Honolulu Symphony and conductor Roberto Minczuk for a pair of concerts. Highlighting the evening will be the premiere of James MacMillan's "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel."

8 p.m. Jan 5 and 4 p.m. Jan. 7 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $12-$65 / 792-2000, www.honolulusymphony.com.

STAGE: JAN. 6, FEB. 3

Local improv troupe On The Spot, below, is known for comedy and quick thinking, but a musical? "On the Spot: The Musical" is the ensemble's latest and most ambitious endeavor — as usual, each show will be based on audience suggestions requiring the actors to think on their toes.

8 p.m. Jan. 6 and Feb. 3 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / $14 general, $10 students / 550-8457, 521-2903, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

CONCERT: JAN. 9

If you like Jack Johnson, you'll love guitar-strumming Matt Costa, right, who is on tour promoting his album "Songs We Sing." Costa has played two back-to-back sold-out shows in California and has a track on the soundtrack of the Johnson film "A Brokedown Melody."

8 p.m. Jan. 9 / NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St. / $15 advance, $20 at the door/ 548-6398, www.whoisnextdoor.com.

STAGE: JAN. 11- FEB. 11

Want to know "How Fo Be Local in 5 Easy Steps"? "Living Pidgin" showcases Da Pidgin Guerrilla Lee A. Tonouchi's talents through comedic short plays and monologues. The flaws of local society, strained relationships between a son and his Oriental faddah and a newcomer's struggle through Hawaiian culture are just a sample of what to expect.

8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 11-Feb. 11 / Kumu Kahua Theatre / $16 general, $13 seniors and $10 students / 536-4441, www.kumukahua.org

STAGE: JAN. 13-14

Three-time Grand Slam Champion poet Bridget Gray performs a one-woman show, "Naked Words," presented by GiRL FeST Hawai'i. Gray addresses topics such as racism, gender stereotypes, abuse and sexuality, and more. There's a screening of the short film "My Letter To Hip Hop," too.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 and 4 p.m. Jan. 14 / The ARTS at Marks Garage / $8 students and seniors, $10 general / 599-3931, 550-8457, www.girlfesthawaii.org, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

FESTIVAL: JAN. 14

Usher in the Year of the Boar at the New Year's 'Ohana Festival, which features the rainbow of cultures in Hawai'i. Among the attractions: international cuisine, entertainment, demonstrations, kimono dressing, a craft fair, games and storytelling.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 14 / Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field / Free / 945-7633, www.jcch.com.

CONCERT: JAN. 18-20

Five decades later, The Temptations — below, front seat, from left, Joe Herndon and Otis Williams; back seat, from left, Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson and G.C. Cameron — are still delivering that quintessential Motown sound. Now they're heading this way for three concerts (originally just two, but another was added by popular demand) and teaming up with the Honolulu Symphony Pops and conductors Matt Catingub and Bob Farrell. The group's hits include "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "My Girl" and "I'll Be There."

7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and 8 p.m. Jan. 19-20 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $12-$75 / 792-2000, www.honolulusymphony.com.

CONCERT: JAN. 19

The Honolulu Chamber Music Series presents the choral ensemble and Grammy Award winner Chanticleer, right, an all-male group based in San Francisco. With nearly two dozen recordings, including "Portrait," "Our American Journey" and "Sound In Spirit," Chanticleer is a leading interpreter of musical genres ranging from Renaissance to jazz, from gospel to new music.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 / UH-Manoa, Orvis Auditorium/ $35 general, $20 students / 483-7123, 956-8246, www.etickethawaii.com.

Also: 7 p.m. Jan. 12, Kauai Center for the Arts; 5 p.m. Jan. 14, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center; 7 p.m. Jan. 15, Kahilu Theatre, Big Island; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, Hilo Performing Arts Center.

STAGE: JAN. 19-FEB. 10

The Honolulu Theatre for Youth production "A Thousand Cranes" is based on the true story of young Sadako in post-World War II Hiroshima. When she was 2, an atomic bomb was dropped on the city, but she seemed to have no ill effects ... until she was diagnosed 10 years later with radiation sickness. She optimistically aims to fold 1,000 origami cranes in the belief that the gods would grant her wish to become well again. To this day, paper cranes are left at her statue in Hiroshima Peace Park. This production, written by Kathryn Schultz Miller, tells Sadako's story through masks, music, origami and traditional Japanese theater. It's suggested for those 8 and older.

Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, repeating at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Feb. 10 / Tenney Theatre / $20 general, $10 for those 3-18 and 60 and older on opening night; $16 and $8 for regular performances / 839-9885, www.htyweb.org.

CONCERT: JAN. 26

"Hawai'i's Songbird: A Lena Machado Tribute" is the next concert in the Hana Hou! Hawaiian music series at the Hawai'i Theatre and features the trio Holunape (below, Kama Hopkins, Kekoa Kaluhiwa and Kanai'a Nakamura). Falsetto singer/songwriter Machado rose to prominence in the Golden Age (1930 and '40s) of Hawaiian music and had more than 60 compositions to her credit. She died in 1974.

7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 / Hawai'i Theatre/ $33 / 528-0506, www.hawaiitheatre.com.

STAGE: JAN. 26-FEB. 4

A dim-witted son-in-law, sneaky servants, crafty con artists and rioting rascals — these stock characters and more will be found in four plays told in the Japanese comic form of kyogen. The cast of student actors have been training with kyogen masters of Japan since August; Julie Iezzi translates and directs.

8 p.m. Jan. 26-27 and Feb. 1-3, 2 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 / UH-Manoa, Kennedy Theatre / $16 general, $14 UH staff, seniors and military, $11 students and $5 UH-Manoa students / 483-7123, 956-7655, www.etickethawaii.com.

STAGE: JAN. 26-FEB. 4

A dim-witted son-in-law, sneaky servants, crafty con artists and rioting rascals — these stock characters and more will be found in four plays told in the Japanese comic form of kyogen. The cast of student actors have been training with kyogen masters of Japan since August; Julie Iezzi translates and directs.

8 p.m. Jan. 26-27 and Feb. 1-3, 2 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 / UH-Manoa, Kennedy Theatre / $16 general, $14 UH staff, seniors and military, $11 students and $5 UH-Manoa students / 483-7123, 956-7655, www.etickethawaii.com.