Talent enters the 'Rumble'

TO CATCH a glimpse of the next generation of local entertainers, check out the "Mai Tai Rumble" on Tuesday nights at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

I was at the Mai Tai Bar last week to help judge the first round semifinals, which saw Arsenio, YSAS and Off Nite facing off in the "open mic" category, while Be-On Paradise, Sunset and Lalea battled it out in the "island/reggae" category. One band from each group would advance to the finals on Nov. 28.

Lalea was easily the crowd favorite that night, but it was a much closer call on the judges' scorecards. Hawaii Pacific Entertainment's Lincoln Jacobe, Hawaii Music Awards founder Johnny Kai, MidWeek's Melissa Moniz and I all had a hard time picking a winner, with Lalea edging the other bands out by just eight-hundredths of a point (.08).

I was also pleasantly surprised by Off Nite's winning performance, with a mix of rap, rock and reggae that had all the ladies near the stage gyrating like mad. The band also features Michael Tulba as its lead singer -- yes, as in Augie Tulba's brother.

Augie might be a stand-up comic, but Michael is the rockstar of the Tulba clan ...

ALSO ON TAP for the Mai Tai Bar: A new television show that will feature (what else?) live performances by the best local bands. Look for it at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sundays, starting the first week of December ...

STILL HAVEN'T decided where to party for Halloween this year? Here are a few picks for tonight.

If you haven't ventured inside Club 939 yet, here's your chance to see what the inside of a gentlemen's club looks like without the nudity. Goldenchild Entertainment presents "Fetish," with DJ Ryan Sean on the decks and 102.7 Da Bomb's Sam the Man taking care of hosting duties.

Over at the Living Room, B-Tyte Productions hosts "Where the Wild Things Are," with DJs Delve, Zack Morse, Goodvybe and Dev spinning until 4 a.m. Dave and Buster's has a "Rooftop Monster Mash-Up" planned, with Upstanding Youth and Black Square.

And of course there are lots of choices in Waikiki: Eddie Bo is the special guest for "Halloween High Steppin' " at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Synergy and Kurious tag-team to present "The Exorcism" at Fashion 45, where a costume contest with more than $2,000 in cash and prizes is planned. And the Hanohano Room is the spot for "Prom Through the Decades," which will also feature a special guest set by DJ Mei Lwun ...