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Pipeline Cafe throws itself a party


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POSTED: Friday, December 04, 2009

Exactly 10 years to the day after opening its doors to the public for the first time, Kakaako nightclub Pipeline Cafe will celebrate with an anniversary party of epic proportions.

“;There's no other place that can do the type of shows that we do,”; general manager Jed Roa said earlier this week. “;We're also the number two concert club venue in the world now, according to Pollstar.”;

Roa would know—he was part of the original hui that opened the club a decade ago. When Charles “;Chip”; Jewitt sold Pipeline to current owner Greg Azus in 2008, Roa stayed behind to manage the day-to-day dealings of the new operation. The biggest change over the years, he said, was a shift from weekly club nights to a more focused approach toward concert promotion.

“;We do a lot more shows now than we used to,”; said Roa. “;Right now, we're also known for doing a lot of fundraisers ... (and) as we get into the summer, we'll do a lot of grad parties—at least 20 per year.”;

Looking ahead to 2010, Roa said the focus at Pipeline will continue to be live events. He also mentioned updating the food menu at the club to attract more of a dinner crowd. Tonight's anniversary party, however, will be strictly a club banger, with three rooms of DJs and former “;Foreplay Fridaze”; host Rick Rock reprising his role. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 18-and-over crowd; cover is $15, with limited $25 VIP tickets available.

Among the DJs confirmed to attend are G-Spot, Wu-Chang, Jimmy Taco, Sovern-T, Rude Dogg, Audissey, Paul Brandon, Mikie D. and Wizard. But Roa made it clear that another group deserves to get just as much shine as those on stage.

“;A lot of the staff has been here since the beginning,”; he said. “;That's the thing that's kept us alive. If they weren't here, no way would we still be around”; ...

LOCAL UKULELE virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro has his good friend Jimmy Buffett to thank for his upcoming appearance before Queen Elizabeth II.

“;I've been touring with him for the last couple of years now,”; he said last week. “;I did a show with him about five weeks ago in Las Vegas ... (and on) the day of Jimmy's show, he and Bette Midler went to have lunch.

“;At the sound check that day, Jimmy came up to me and said Bette loved my music and that we should do something together.”;

That “;something”; is an arrangement of the Beatles' classic track, “;In My Life.”;

“;She wanted to play that song together because she heard my version of it,”; said Shimabukuro. “;That was a pretty cool thing.”;

Before he finishes the year with concerts in Japan, Shimabukuro will make the trip to England and return to Oahu in time for a Toys for Tots benefit show on Wednesday. He was adamant about getting back in time to share the stage at the Blaisdell Concert Hall with celebrated local crooner Anita Hall.

“;We're going to do a nice arrangement, just ukulele and voice, of 'O Holy Night,'”; he said. “;I just can't wait to hear her sing that.”;

Shimabukuro and Hall will be joined at “;Na Mele O Na Keiki”; by the Honolulu Boy Choir, Amy Hanaialii Gilliom, Jim Nabors and Steve Hott. Tickets for the concert are free, and local Marines will be on hand to accept toy donations.

For details about Shimabukuro's upcoming gigs, visit www.hsblinks.com/1er ...

WEEKEND PICKS: New nightclub Paparazzi launches two new weekly parties with the start of a new month. Artist Groove Network, No Way Out Entertainment, Level H Promotions, Furious Styles Productions and HPELive will team up to host “;Oasis”; on Fridays, while Saturday's will be called “;Paris”; and will be hosted by Kurious Productions and HPELive ... A former used car lot on Kapiolani Blvd. appears to be the newest all-ages venue in Honolulu. The Vault at 1391 Kapiolani Blvd. will host “;Punishment”; tomorrow at 8 p.m. with live performances by 86List, Die Slow, Contessa and Goat Punishment. Cover is $5 ... Head to the Shack Waikiki on Sunday for “;Stop the Violence,”; a fundraiser for local musician Tangi Tully; he was allegedly beaten and needs help paying medical bills for the treatment he received. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sunday, with performances by Teresa Bright, Starr Kalahiki, Lopaka Colon, One Drop, Sam Kapu III, Kit Ebersach, the Don Tiki Band, the Bobby King Band and a variety of local hula halau. Tickets are $20 at the door ...

In the Mix drops Fridays in HILife. Contact Jason Genegabus by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone at 529-4766. Check him out on Twitter at twitter.com/sonecessary.