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Norah Jones booked
for Arena April 23

It looks like 2005 is shaping up to be another good year for concerts by mainland acts.

In just the first two months, we've been lucky enough to see Lisa Loeb, General Public, Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, Jason Mraz, Fishbone, Mos Def and NOFX perform live. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes will play here this weekend, and we can also look forward to concerts by Sum 41, 3 Doors Down and The Wailers.

Earlier this week, Tom Moffatt announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Norah Jones will make a stop in Honolulu on April 23 at the Blaisdell Arena.

She recently won two Grammys for her work with the late Ray Charles on "Here We Go Again," and another for a song off her "Feels Like Home" release. Jones is no stranger at the awards -- she received eight statues for her 2002 debut, "Come Away With Me."

Tickets for the show, priced at $40 each, go on sale Saturday at all Ticketmaster outlets. Call (877) 750-4400 or visit www.ticketmaster.com ...

LIFE IS good these days for fans of reggae music. Although Sick Dog Productions and DJ Jahson lost their Wednesday night "Redda Fire" gig at the now-closed Fox and Hounds in Kahala, it just happened to coincide with the launch of "Dubwize" at Lulu's in Waikiki. The buzz on Thursdays is over at the Wave Waikiki, where Island 98.5's Big Teeze hosts "Roots Bash" with a live set this week by Hot Rain.

On the weekends, the place to be is Don Ho's in Aloha Tower Marketplace. Friends keep telling me how much fun they have on Friday nights there, with DJ Galmiche on the decks and live music with Red Degree. Saturday is the "No U Roots" party; this week Maacho and Cool Connection will perform ...

SATURDAY NIGHT'S "Feng Shui" at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki will present a special fashion showcase this week.

Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for the 21-and-over crowd, with guests getting a sneak peek at Pink C's spring fashion line. Designer Jo Dee Gines, with a gang of models in tow, will showcase "sexy, funky, classy and trendy fashion for work or play."

Can't make it to the party on Saturday? Check out Gines' store near the Ward Entertainment Complex, or give her a call at 591-8991 ...

ON TUESDAY, Honolulu residents have an opportunity to get a sneak peek of the new Starbucks Coffee Liqueur at Morton's in Ala Moana Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the exclusive tasting party, which also features drinks made with Absolut Vanilia. Spend $25 for a ticket, and you can try a Mochatini, Cafe con Leche and other coffee concoctions in addition to Morton's signature pupus.

One lucky guest will also leave the tasting with a complimentary gift basket; call 949-1300 ...