In The Mix
Super Bowl trip won
by splashing in‘Toilet Bowl’WHILE I've had friends who paddled in the Ala Wai Canal during high school, and watched boaters and kayakers cruise along its brownish-green surface, it would be a cold day in you-know-where if I personally stuck any part of my body in there.
That said, three brave souls were willing to paddle across the Ala Wai last week for a free trip to Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. Participants were told to bring only "an inflatable pool vessel and one broom" to use in the crossing. KPOI-FM morning duo Laurie Ann and Double D hosted the festivities, called "The Toilet Bowl," last Thursday in front of a small crowd along a stretch of the Ala Wai near Kalakaua Avenue.
Tim Scarborough, a member of the Air Force stationed in Hawaii since 1999, guided his slightly modified "standard black tire inner tube" across the canal and spiked a football on the other side to claim the all-expenses-paid trip. Amazingly, he barely got wet.
"I was glad I only got in ankle deep, and I had ... surf socks on," Scarborough said of the muck near the race's starting point.
While he didn't fall in, Tim's voyage across the Ala Wai did leave a lasting impression. "The water quality leaves a little bit to be desired," he said politely when asked about the morning's marine conditions.
The risk of falling in was worth it, though, for this Louisiana native. Along with attending his first Super Bowl, Scarborough will get to spend time at home with family.
"As long as I'm in the dome, I'm happy. I'll get to bring my dad and my brother, so it's going to work out well for us," he said.
Scarborough and the other finalists also received a pair of tickets to the NFL Pro Bowl next month. I even heard there were a few other finalists who didn't bother to show up for the race but still get the tickets anyway. I would have taken those Pro Bowl tickets and run, too ...
Go coastal on Saturday
LOOKING for a crash course on trance, house or drum-n-bass music? Check out Saturday night's "Coastal Collective 2002," hosted by Go Ventures, Double-O-Spot and the Playhouse at the Richards Street YWCA from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Even though I'm not much of a house/techno fan, the scheduled appearance of legendary dance deejay Richard "Humpty" Vission at this weekend's party brings back some good memories.While at college in Los Angeles a few years back, I got turned on to Vission's weekly radio program, "Power Tools" on Power 106 FM. The show, which Vission claims on his Web site to be "America's No. 1 underground (and longest-running) dance mix show," expanded my musical horizons.
Maybe he'll do that for you, too.
Other deejays performing at "Coastal Collective 2002" include San Francisco's Mars and Wish FM; Los Angeles' DJ Reza, Rene and Lenny V; and Hawaii's own wax masters, the 2001 ITF World Champion Nocturnal Sound Crew.
Surf on over to www.double-o-spot.com or www.goventures.com for a full list of those who plan to man the turntables.
Ticket prices start at $20, with discounted pre-sale tickets available at Cheapo's, Hungry Ear or the University of Hawaii Campus Center. Call 591-3500.
Out and about
AMONG those spotted at last Sunday's album release party for Fiji at Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab: recording artists Keali'i Reichel, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Ilona Irvine; Xtreme Radio's Mento Mele; KCCN FM100's Billy V, Charly Espina, Davey D and Bruddah Bryan; and Hawaiian KINE's Randy Hudnall. The Mana'o Company, Darren Benitez, the No No Boys and Kahala Moon all performed during the evening, and Fiji entertained the crowd after taking the stage with TMC just past midnight. "Transition" is available at all local music stores ...>> East Side Grill enters the second week of "Battle of the Bands" starting at 10 tonight. Bruddah Jake will host the competition, which lasts for the next five Thursdays at Puck's Alley. Call 952-6555 or stop by the Grill for a contest application.
>> Start your Saturday night this weekend at Duke's Waikiki with its "Concerts on the Beach" series. Koa'uka will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. There's no cover charge.
Call Duke's at 922-2268 for information.
>> When was the last time you took your dog on a date? No, I'm not talking about a date with your significant other, but with your pooch. The Hawaiian Humane Society presents "Paws on the Path" the last Saturday of each month, a hike designed for people who want to take their dogs out on the trail. This month's hike is an evening journey to the Makapuu Lighthouse.
Organizers recommend bringing a flashlight, leash, some plastic bags and enough water for you and your pet. Meet at the start of the trail by 4:30 p.m. Call 946-2187, ext. 222, for hike details and directions.
THAT'S what's "In the Mix" for this week. Get at me via e-mail if there's something going on in your neighborhood.
In the Mix drops every Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.