In The Mix
"NOW THAT was a party." If I had a quarter for every time I've heard that line since the Stone Groove Family's fifth-anniversary party last Saturday, I wouldn't be rich -- but at least I could afford a pitcher at Magoo's ... Stone Groove took
a trip down memory laneLocal photographer Hesham was kind enough to open up his Chinatown studio for the night, and more than 400 people joined Stone Groove's Sub-Zero, G-Dog, Jrama, Gary O. and Freeze to celebrate five years of dropping bombs on the 808 state.
"It's been crazy," said Jrama about response to the party when I caught up with him Tuesday. "I got stopped at the mall, at the post office, even by girls driving down the street."
I can understand why. During my four hours or so at Hesham's, not one record got played twice. Over and over again, I found myself muttering "holy (expletive)" as the deejays dropped in music I almost forgot existed. Funny how night after night at the same clubs will do that to you ...
Jrama wasn't surprised though. "We left the club records at home that night," he explained. "We just wanted to say thanks for the respect. ... We wanted to celebrate five years of that."
It was a long and definitely enjoyable evening watching the SGF guys spin on Saturday. With my drink in hand and head bobbing to the beat, I sat next to the turntables most of the night and watched b-boys get down as emcee after emcee fought to grab the mic. It was an epic party -- I'm happy I went ...
Boogie down with Na Leo
GET OUT your dancing shoes and head into Waikiki tomorrow night for the latest Na Leo Dance Party at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel. The 20-time Hoku award-winning group will perform its trademark originals with upbeat covers interspersed to keep party people on their feet.Cory Oliveiros will start things off at 6 p.m., and 93-1 the Q's Jeff Kino will be on hand to wrap up Na Leo's search for the "Ultimate Local Boy." Pre-sale tickets are still available for $20, and the price will rise to $25 at the door. Call 944-6360 for tickets, or visit www.naleo.net.
Auto show rolls into town
WISH THERE was a way to visit a new-car showroom without all those salespeople jumping down your throat? Motor Trend Magazine makes it easy with this year's First Hawaiian International Auto Show, starting today at the Hawai'i Convention Center.Hundreds of 2002-model cars, trucks and SUVs will be parked for you to kick the tires, see how big the trunk space really is and get behind the steering wheel without the pressure of a dealer showroom. Although salespeople will be on hand to answer questions, the event is more about exploring a variety of automobile makes and models in a comfortable environment.
If speed is your thing, check out the brand-new Lamborghini Murcielago that was flown in from Italy for the show. This baby is the first new Lamborghini model in 11 years and boasts a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. Don't worry, you can still get the Diablo, too -- for a cool $270,000 ...
New 2003 models like the new Pontiac Vibe, Lincoln Blackwood and Cadillac Escalade EXT will also be on display, and hog riders can check out more than 25 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, Buell and Kawasaki. Tickets are $6, and a discount coupon is available at www.autoshowusa.com. Doors are open from noon to 10:30 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Out and about
TICKETS ARE still available for next Saturday's Bomb Bucha 2002, starting at 5 p.m. at the Waikiki Shell. Island Rhythm 98.5 has lined up Keahiwai, Native Blend, Sean Na'auao, Three Plus, Ho'onua and others to perform onstage, and tickets start at $9.85 at the Blaisdell box office, Tempo Music, House of Music and UH Campus Center. Call 526-4400 to charge by phone.WHEN WAS the last time you heard someone recite Shakespeare? Ever thought his work could be performed to a hip-hop beat? Believe it -- the Honolulu Theatre for Youth has been dropping the bardic flow this month at St. Andrew's Cathedral with their version of "Othello."
Charles Timtim, member of the local group Chant, sports a wicked facial tattoo in the title role. Jonathan Sypert, Nara Springer and BullDog round out the cast, with DJ Jedi throwing down sick beats to keep the poetry in motion. Show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Tenney Theatre with two final performances March 23. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for teens. Call 839-9885 for more details.
PART OF downtown will shut down from 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow for the 2002 St. Patrick's Day block party.
Not Irish? It doesn't matter ... get down to Nuuanu Avenue between Nimitz Highway and South King Street, and check out three stages of entertainment featuring rock, disco, Irish music and more. Radio stations 97.5 KPOI, 93-1 The Q and KORL 99.5 will be on hand to play games and give out prizes, and event sponsors Budweiser and Murphy's Bar & Grill will keep the food and drinks coming all night. Call Murphy's at 531-0422 for details.
THAT'S WHAT'S "In the Mix." Get at me via e-mail if anything's going on near you.
In the Mix drops every Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.