In The Mix
WEEK AFTER week, month after month, most of the night creatures I know hit the same places in town for partying. A few weeks ago, I sat at a table outside a Kaneohe nightspot, wondering what keeps my friends from checking out other parts of this rock. Hot nightspots can be
found outside of townMy hectic schedule usually prevents me from venturing too far from town, but I know of events holding it down anywhere from Roy's in Hawaii Kai to the Emporium Lounge out in Pearl City, or even Waialua's Sugar Bar. Maybe it's fear of the unknown or fear of blue lights flashing in the rearview mirror, but a typical weekend for townies consists of Pipeline, Blue Tropix, Ocean Club or Wave Waikiki, with a dash of Mai Tai Bar or Aloha Tower for variety. ... Scary, isn't it?
Back to KANEOHE. Even though it was midnight on a Friday, we didn't have to worry about the neighbors complaining about the noise at this spot. Our server was efficient (not to mention hot), and the music had us bobbing our heads as we downed $5 pitchers and grinded on some ono pupus. Life was good that night ...
As your faithful columnist, I feel it's my duty to share any secret spots I might find. That weekend I was at Kaniela's at the Bay View Golf Course. Yes, a golf course -- that's why there are no neighbors to worry about. Once play has ended and the driving range closes, Kaniela's takes over as a great place to spend an evening.
Some advice if you're heading there: Weekends are your best bet for a raging party on the Windward side. Friday night's theme is Ladies' Lounge, while Saturday features live music and DJs until closing. This week, Norm Thompson and the All-Star Band perform.
Kaniela's, located at 45-285 Kaneohe Bay Drive, is easily accessible from the Pali and Likelike highways, as well as the H-3. Call 236-0060 for directions.
Whether it's Kaneohe, Kaimuki or Kapolei, why not volunteer someone to be the designated driver and explore a little this weekend? You may be pleasantly surprised ...
Out and About
ANOTHER PLEASANT surprise awaits at Leeward Community College this weekend. The LCC Theatre program will hold a sneak preview of the documentary "Black Picket Fence," directed by former Hawaii resident Sergio Goes. Goes decided to leave paradise for Brooklyn's public housing projects to document 25-year-old rap artist Tislam "Tiz" Milliner's struggle for success. (Get the full story in tomorrow's Weekend section.)
"Black Picket Fence" is scheduled to officially open later this month in New York City, but in a reversal of sorts, Hawaii gets the sneak preview and Q&A session with the director first. Up next for Goes? A documentary filmed after the Sept. 11 tragedy as the director drove 9,000 miles cross-country.
Tickets for the LCC Theatre preview are $10 for adults and $5 for students, at the door. Call 455-0381.
THIS WEEKEND also marks the Hawaii debut for both Soundsngrooves808.com and import model Kaila Yu.
Tomorrow night, head to All Star Hawaii as Soundsngrooves celebrates its arrival in the 808 state with "Imaginazian." Featuring a fashion show from Massive and the ZoomX and 808Rides.com models, the SNG crew gets the party started at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 for 18 to 20, $5 for 21 and over.
On Saturday, Kaila Yu's CD release party headlines the Lipstick Lounge at Garden of Saigon. She'll perform tracks off her album, sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Tickets are $10 at the door; 18 and over are welcome.
LOCAL RADIO station KQMQ-FM is living up to its old-school image with a party at Waterfront Cafe and Cabaret in Aloha Tower Marketplace. Tomorrow, check out Studio 54 with 93-1 the Q, featuring those notorious $1 drinks from 10 to 11 p.m.
Lisa D will host Friday's festivities, and DJ Euphorik spins the '80s and more until 2 a.m. at Waterfront. Studio 54 is a SOHO Promotions event, so you can expect the same vibe as last year's Spy Bar with a retro twist. It's $5; 21 or older.
THE DOGS will get out once again when the Baha Men perform at Gussie L'Amours on Monday and Tuesday. The Grammy Award-winning group is here to promote "Move It Like This," the follow-up album to 2000's multiplatinum "Who Let the Dogs Out."
Obsessed is scheduled to open on Monday, with Ski & the Ska Flavored Band getting the nod on Tuesday. Tickets are $22 in advance for those 21 and over and are good for both nights. At the door the price goes up to $25. Call 836-7883 for details. Also, be sure to spock out tomorrow's Weekend section for an interview with the Baha Men ...
THAT'S WHAT'S "In the Mix" for this week. Get at me if there's something going on in your neighborhood ...
In the Mix drops every Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.