MAY 6, 8
The hardworking Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra pulls double duty with a concert of ’80s pop hits, from Michael Jackson to Sting, and a classical concert featuring pianist Soyeon Lee.
Pops concert, 7:30 p.m. May 6, $27-$79; Masterworks concert, 4 p.m. May 8, $34-$92 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
MAY 7
Pioneering hip-hop group Salt N Pepa leads a night of nostalgia in “Ladies of the 80’s” concert for Mother’s Day weekend. Spinderella, Sweet Sensation, En Vogue and J.J. Fad join in.
7 p.m. / Blaisdell Arena / $55-$125 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
MAY 20-24
Hawaii Opera Theatre hammers out Verdi’s epic “Il Trovatore.” Its Anvil Chorus is spoofed mercilessly in pop culture, but the twisted tale of love and politics makes it a classic as well. 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 managed to keep its 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
JULY 16-17
Return of the Cure? That’s just like heaven to fans of the sensitive British Goth-rockers.
7:30 p.m. July 16 and 17 / Blaisdell Arena / $25-$250 / ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849
Ticker
>> Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan brings his innovative technique to Blue Note Hawaii , 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 10-14, $21.25-$45. bluenotehawaii.com or 777-4890
>> 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
