MAY 14
What is hip? A visit by Tower of Power, the Oakland, Calif.,-based band that blends a big-band sound with funk and R&B.
8 p.m. / Blaisdell Arena / $55 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
MAY 20-24
Hawaii Opera Theatre hammers out Verdi’s epic “Il Trovatore.” Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood, pictured, stars.
8 p.m. May 20, 4 p.m. May 22, 7 p.m. May 24 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $34-$135 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
JUNE 7
Kool & the Gang has stayed cool through four decades of music-making. How else would you appear on the soundtrack to both “Saturday Night Fever” (“Open Sesame”) and “Pulp Fiction” (“Jungle Boogie”)?
7 p.m. / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $49.50-$99.50 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
MAY 31
Above & Beyond made a huge name for itself with electronic dance music, but members Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamaki are trained instrumentalists as well. They returned to their acoustic roots a few years ago and have been touring with a new album.
6:30 p.m. / Waikiki Shell / $45-$125 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
JUNE 8
Esperanza Spalding brings her Emily’s D+Evolution tour to town. The jazz bassist, cellist and singer has won four Grammys and played the White House and the Nobel Prize ceremony.
8 p.m. / The Republik / $35 / flavorus.com or 855-235-2867. Also June 7 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. mauiarts.org
TICKER
>> Big Tease Burlesque showcases performers from Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. 6 p.m. May 13, The Republik. $30-$150. flavorus.com or 855-235-2867
>> Puzzlemeister Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword, appears at the Hawaii Theatre, 7 p.m. June 16. $27-$57. hawaiitheatre.com or 528-0506
