COURTESY OF REBEL GIRL UNDERGROUND MC Trix with DJ Zita

Female DJs open another
venue for female artists
to showcase their talent

By Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.com

It doesn't take long to notice Kasi Nunes, even in a crowd of 100-plus crammed into the murky, candle-lit confines of Chuck's Cellar in Waikiki. Proudly sporting a closely-shorn haircut, tank top and a belt buckle emblazoned with the word "dyke," the wiry firebrand takes every opportunity to challenge her audience. "I want to hear everybody make some noise for DJ Anit," she bellows into her microphone, pointing toward teenage turntablist Tina Viernes, who holds court behind a pair of Technics 1200s. The crowd on hand for the inaugural Rebel Girl Underground party, however, doesn't need to be told to give it up. They're already matching Anit's amplified scritch-scratching with a chorus of appreciative whistles, hollers and screams.

Girl power What: 'Rebel Girl Underground' Where: Chuck's Cellar, 150 Kaiulani Ave. When: 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. tomorrow Admission: $5, 21 and over Call: 923-4488

For this new, once-a-month shindig, Nunes says she and co-promoter DJ Ciara endeavored to put together a female-friendly event as successful and well-attended as Sisters In Sound's Indigo and Auntie Pasto's parties, which have opened doors for many skilled, but underexposed, women DJs, musicians, singers and artists in and around Honolulu.

If she gleaned inspiration from SIS's get-togethers, she reasoned, other women who may have never thought of performing before an audience or running a nightclub event could be moved to take up the challenge through other girl-powered parties. "I want so many more women to come out and show their skills because I know they're out there," says Nunes. "There's always been those who say, 'Oh yeah, I spin, but only at home.' And I'm like, 'Why? Put it out there. Let's work on it and hone your skills. I want to help.' "

With the backing of a close-knit, self-sufficient network of performers and artists, Nunes believes she can give other nightclubbing females something to aspire to. "Look at the way females are represented when you're in a club," she adds. "They're not there for their talent. They're just eye candy. There's nothing that another woman would see and be like, 'You know, I want to be that some day.' I want to provide female role models that women can look at and go, 'I want to learn those skills' or 'Wow, women put this together themselves?' With this event, we want to show them what can happen if they try."

COURTESY OF REBEL GIRL UNDERGROUND DJ Anit

In lieu of booty-shaking contests and divisive, testosterone-fueled DJ and rap battles, Rebel Girl Underground provides a supportive environment for its all-female lineup. Its clientele is predominantly female -- most straight, some lesbian -- with an impressive showing of open-minded males who demonstrate their admiration for each performer with wholehearted applause and words of encouragement. "Women definitely outnumbered the men at the first show, but I feel like the men had a good time there, too," Nunes states. "They were comfortable with the whole scene. The people who showed up were basically nice, cool people who were down to support women. It was a dream come true."

For this weekend's event, Rebel Girl Underground has enlisted the services of Sisters In Sound's DJ Zita and DJ Toki, DJs Sunshine and Ciara, MCs Lynette and Katana, singers JC and Jeanne P, and an array of dancers and artists of varying disciplines. As with the first RGU party, Kasi will again recite a few rhymes against a backdrop of hip-hop beats.

"To be able to have an all-female sound crew, females at the door, female bartenders and provide women with an opportunity to showcase their talent -- that makes me feel good," she emphasizes. "I try to let them know that if you want to be out there (performing), you can. It's inspiring to other people to see you do it. That's why I'm throwing this party."

COURTESY OF REBEL GIRL UNDERGROUND MC Katana

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