In The Mix
Comedy Cafe serves
laughs at Ward eateryLOOKS LIKE the Dave & Buster's Showroom is becoming the spot for local comedians. This Saturday marks the official opening of "The Comedy Cafe: Live from the Strip," following in the footsteps of Lanai and Augie successful run over the past few months.
My first experience at the entertainment bonanza that is Dave & Buster's definitely did not disappoint. Video games and alcohol -- what a concept!
After performing here last month, as well as in November, Matt Kazam settles in for the summer with Andy Bumatai to headline the evening's antics. The 90-minute show seems to fly by with these two comedians keeping a steady pace of laughs throughout.
Also providing a pleasant surprise to start the evening was the return of Bu La'ia, who opened with his signature "Wassup everybody" and provided an explanation for his absence from the scene (he was in "the pokey") ...
The Comedy Cafe continues Saturdays through the summer with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Definitely worth taking that special someone on a date, if you can afford the $15 tickets and two-drink minimum. At least the parking's free ...
If you go, be sure to pick up a $5 Dave & Buster's Powercard when you pay for the tickets -- it comes free with admission. Call 585-2877 for more information.
HAPPY TO hear that Pipeline Cafe plans to bring back live rock music, kicking off with tonight's "Battle of the Rock Bands" at 9 p.m. For the next three weeks, local rock bands will battle for a spot in the finals on June 27.
Up for grabs is the chance to perform in front of radio and record label executives at a private concert and prizes from Dan's Guitar Shop, Ezekiel, Local Motion and custom surfboards from Tim Groh. 97.5 KPOI-FM afternoon jock Fil Slash will host the night's proceedings, and the $2 Budweiser and $3 Bacardi Silver on special should help even the worst band sound just a little bit better ...
On stage this week: Travel Lite, Bronson, Happy Gets Lucky and Audist; $5 gets you in the door. Hope the crowds get into this one -- it'll be nice to have another live venue for local rock bands.
LOCAL ARTIST Hesham is at it again: Heshamphoto.com presents "Absolut Art" tomorrow night at 186 N. King St., starting at 7 p.m. Punahou student Kelly Rowe headlines the nonalcoholic event, with local girl Ronnie returning home from San Francisco to participate as well.
Cory Morgenstein, Mike G. and Karmik Designs also will have works featured during the show, and DJs Asia, Delve, Fame, Lukas and Oliver Twist will provide a vinyl soundtrack for the evening. The WannaBeats, featuring Zanuck Lindsey, also will turn in a performance ...
Tomorrow night's show is $5 at the door, and all works on display should be available for sale. Visit www.heshamphoto. com for more information.
IF YOU haven't been to the 50th State Fair yet, this weekend might be good to check out the family fun. Headlining the entertainment is a concert by Ashanti, Tweet and Ja Rule that starts at 6 p.m. Saturday. A source at I-94 says that the acts will pre-party down at Blue Tropix before heading to Halawa that afternoon ...
Doors open at 4 p.m. to the all-ages show, and tickets are $26, sold separately from general fair admission. Call 526-4400, or visit ticketplus- hawaii.com for details and to purchase tickets online ...
Another act to check out after you've played the games and gone on the rides is the Mapapa Acrobats. The six members of this Chinese-style Kenyan acrobatic team incorporate dance, tumbling and balancing acts with high-energy East African beats that guarantee to entertain. Show times are 2, 5, 8 and 10 p.m.
And on Sunday, bring an empty Pepsi can to the fair, and admission is just 50 cents. Call 682-5767 for more information about the 50th State Fair.
CONDOLENCES ALSO go out to the family of James Grant Benton, who died Tuesday after a heart attack. People were anxiously awaiting the return of Booga Booga at next month's Lolo No Ka Oi concert. Sadly, it now looks like the event will be held in his memory.
In the Mix drops every Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.