Reggae party gets a boost

THE weekly "Redda Fire" reggae party kicks things up a notch this week, with the introduction of a new monthly feature.

Starting tonight and continuing every third Thursday of the month, "Brimstone" will take over the downstairs lounge at the Living Room. While DJ Jahson the 45 Revolver and friends spin upstairs, DJ Saya and MC Enemy will hold it down with ragga-style drum-n-bass.

Need another reason to go? Red Stripe is on special for just $3 on Thursdays ...

A LITTLE more than seven months after moving their "Pussycat Lounge" weekly from the Wave Waikiki to Fashion 45, promoters Flash Hansen and Matty Boy Hazelgrove are temporarily pulling the plug on the legendary party.

The "Pussycat Lounge" reigned supreme for seven years on Tuesdays at the Wave, a favorite post-2 a.m. hangout for hard-core scenesters and strippers looking to cut loose after work. Moving farther into Waikiki and switching to Fridays brought the party into the mainstream, with music and patrons that wouldn't have lasted five minutes at the Wave.

Starting in August, Kurious Productions will take over every first and third Friday of the month at Fashion 45 with "Skin: Special Blend," a 21-and-over party that will alternate with events promoted solely by the club.

And don't worry -- the "Pussycat Lounge" should return to Waikiki before the year is pau. In the interim, Hansen and Hazelgrove have teamed with Justin Yoshino to do "South Beach" at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki every second and fourth Friday of the month ...

TWO MORE picks for tomorrow: The Willows continues with its monthly "Hops and Grinds" beer tastings, with the Sports Animals (Gary Dickman, Chris Hart and Steve Murray) broadcasting live on ESPN 1420-AM. The fun lasts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will feature a pupu buffet and beers by Maui Brewing Co., Bison Brewing Co., Mendocino Brewing Co. and others ... Over at Don Ho's Island Grill, Women's Surf Style Magazine presents its "Oahu Summer Surf Party," featuring a surf simulator that projects a 15-foot wave onto a big screen TV. Ladies will want to catch Maui Surf Co.'s bikini fashion show -- instead of focusing on skimpy suits, the emphasis will be on items that won't fall off while shredding some waves. Doors open at 10 p.m. for the 21-and-over crowd, with a $5 cover charge in effect ...

ON SATURDAY, "The Enterprise" returns to Detox ... The Sisters in Sound follow up last weekend's "BazaarBeQue" with a traditional Saturday shindig at NextDoor ... And if the Love Festival is too far of a drive for you, check out the official afterhours party at Skybox ...

In the Mix drops Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Star-Bulletin.
Reach Jason Genegabus at jgenegabus@starbulletin.com.