CONCERT: MAY 24

Duck-dive into summer at Heavywater Magazine's Surf Into Summer kickoff party, featuring entertainment by Kapena, Lost at Sea and DJ Eskae, left, of Nocturnal Sound Krew, and a fashion show showcasing Local Motion and Billabong's new summer lines. Proceeds from the event will benefit AccessSurf Hawaii, which helps folks with disabilities get into the ocean. The party is for those 18 and older.

8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. May 24 / Gordon Biersch / $15 / www.myspace.com/hwater.

CONCERT: MAY 31

AC/DC tribute band Back in Black, right, will be back to rock Pipeline Cafe in that ... well, AC/DC way. The Texas-based band, last here in December, is known for its high-energy performances. The show will also feature local band Buddhist Priest and 12-year-old guitar sensation Amanda Abila. The concert is for those 18 and older.

8 p.m. May 31 / Pipeline Cafe / 18 and older / $20 general, $40 VIP / www.presaleticketsonline.com.

CONCERT: JUNE 6

The Dropkick Murphys, below, drop into town to give the island a dose of Irish Celtic-inspired punk rock. The band's latest album, "The Meanest of Times," was released last year and peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard charts. The guys are coming off a tour of Australia and Japan, where they played two sold-out concerts.

8 p.m. June 6 / Pipeline Cafe / $27.50 general, $55 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

CONCERT: JUNE 7

Get ready for some face-melting metal, punk, hardcore, thrash and rock at the 7th Annual Metal Fest. The concert will feature three stages and more than 30 bands from the Islands and California, including Corrupt Absolute, The Silas, Breaking the Innocent, 86 List, Bari Bari 13 and more.

5 p.m. June 7 / Anna Bannana's / $7 / 354-7625, www.underworldevents.com.

CONCERT: JUNE 7

Summer means it's time again for the concert hosted by The Makaha Sons, "Take a Walk in the Country 6." The Sons — Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, John Koko and Jerome Koko — will share the stage with Hawaiian Connection, Kealo Koko, Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, Halau Hula 'O Kawaili'ula, Ka Leo 'O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La, Puka'ikapuaokalani Hula Halau and more. The concert, previously at the Waikiki Shell, is opting for the harborfront venue for the first time, meaning reduced seating for 800 to 1,000. VIP service starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes a gourmet buffet dinner catered by Chai's Island Bistro with reserved seating.

6:30 p.m. June 7 / The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace / Advance tickets $30 general, $75 reserved, $150 VIP dinner and reserved seating / 282-3303, www.makahasons.com.

STAGE:

JUNE 13-22

Cheer on your favorite Muppet characters at Sesame Street Live's "Elmo! Ready for Action," right. The show follows Super Grover, Sesame Street's lovable superhero, who has lost his superness; Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and friends team up to form The Fabulous Five, working together to bring Grover back to super form. A show for all ages, Sesame Street Live teaches lessons such as the value of exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene.

10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 13; repeats 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. June 14; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 15; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 19-20; 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 21-22 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / $12, $18 and $25; $35 Golden Circle; also, all seats except Golden Circle, are $11 on opening night / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

STAGE: JUNE 14-28

If you didn't catch it the first time, you have another chance to see Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Rap's Hawaii," below, which returns to Tenney Theatre for three more shows because of popular demand. The production brings the comic work of the late Rap Reiplinger to life, presented in two acts as a series of sketches. Expect to hear a love ballad for Fate Yanagi, a cooking lesson from Aunty Marialani and more.

Resumes 8 p.m. June 14; repeats at 8 p.m. June 21 and 28 / Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral / $20 adults, $10 children / 457-4254, www.htyweb.org.

CONCERT: JUNE 19

Na Hoku Hanohano award winner John Cruz, below, headlines the kickoff concert in the Bank of Hawaii Moonlight Mele on the Lawn series. It's a concert under the stars on the Bishop Museum's Great Lawn, so don't forget to bring a beach mat. Also on the concert lineup: The Girlas. This is the first of a three-part series of Island-music programs presented by the Bank of Hawaii and Bishop Museum.

7 p.m. June 19 / Bishop Museum's Great Lawn / $20 general, $15 advance, $10 museum members, military and Bank of Hawaii customers; free for kids 4 and younger / 847-8290.