Butch Cassidy, Talib Kweli make surprise appearances
HONOLULU continues to improve its image as a travel destination for the stars, both for concert performances and more low-profile appearances.
Unless you happened to cross his path last week, you wouldn't have known that Big Daddy Kane was in town. Cameron Diaz continues to make Oahu a regular stop for sun and surf.
Rapper Butch Cassidy was in town a few weeks back, pushing a new single and jumping on stage at Pipeline Cafe to perform. And hip-hop heads were blown away when Talib Kweli seemed to come out of nowhere when he appeared at the Living Room and E&O Trading Company on Friday and Lulu's on Saturday. By all accounts, his impromptu performances were off the chain ...
SPRING BREAK is in full effect, which means there's plenty of choices this weekend.
On Friday, "Hip-Hop at the Trops" is the latest in a string of 18-and-over parties at Tropics in the Ward Farmers' Market, with no cover for those old enough to drink and DJs Careless and Revise on the decks. The Audible Lab Rats will also be there to celebrate the release of their new album, performing alongside Creed Chameleon and Soul Pacific.
Over at the newly re-opened thirtyninehotel, the crew that brought Honolulu "The Enterprise" comes correct with "Frequency," a new monthly for the 21-and-over crowd. Doors open at 9 p.m., with a live performance by At Sea, a fashion show featuring designs by Michele Lau and DJs Eskae, Vertigo and Vagina spinning until 2 a.m. ...
SATURDAY'S PICKS: Local band Pimpbot celebrates its sixth anniversary with a party at Anna Bannana's. They'll be joined by Missing Dave, Black Square and the No No Boys, and I'm told the crowd can expect the debut appearance of Max Murdoch and the Northern Soul Project ... Another reggae show is booked for Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. This one is called the "Exodus Reggae Concert Series I," with Inner Circle, Third World and Pam Hall as the headliners. Gates open at 7 p.m.; call (808) 573-3115 ... And if you want to see some of the best up-and-coming musical talent from Oahu high schools, head to the Blaisdell Arena for the return of "Brown Bags to Stardom." The contest's new format features music videos on OC-16, with viewers choosing the winners who will perform this weekend. The concert starts at 7 p.m. ...
THE FUN continues on Sunday, with the return of the "Bacardi Summer Pool Party" to the Sheraton Waikiki. This one starts at 1 p.m. with a $2 cover charge and free valet parking at the hotel. Future parties are confirmed for April 29, June 3, July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 ... Island Fire Productions presents "What the Pho" at Osake, featuring a flair bartending competition and DJ Goodvybe in control of the music. Doors open at 9 p.m. Sunday, with a portion of the $5 cover going to the Daniel Browne-Sanchez scholarship fund ... AIGA presents "Spring Breaks" at NextDoor on Sunday, with performances by Parlous and Devon, Rasbenji and JD Damone, Tha Spacifics and Soul Pacific. Doors open at 9 p.m. ...
AND IF you can make it to Monday, head out to the Aiea Bowling Complex for "Moonlight Mondays," a new industry bowling league presented by IGNightlife and Angels Entertainment.
Teams signed up to participate include employees from various bars and nightclubs around Honolulu, along with a few radio and television stations. But you don't need to bowl in order to be part of the scene -- and there's no cover charge if you're not playing!
Throw in DJs spinning music, plasma screens throughout the bowling alley and a revamped pupu menu, and cosmic bowling actually seems like a good time. Jenn Abreu will host; call 778-8888 for more info ...