An ‘Urban Jungle’
just for jazz lovers

JAZZ FANS now have a new spot to visit on Thursday nights, thanks to DeShannon Higa and his new band, gr00ve imProV arTiSts.

Take a ride downtown to Detox (the former location of Players Alakea) and check out "The Urban Jungle" from 8 to 11 p.m. tonight. Randy Aloya, Aaron Aranita and Stu Sherman joined Higa onstage last week as the trumpet player introduced a New York-style lounge night to Honolulu.

Higa's wife, singer Rocky Brown, is a talented artist as well - she'll perform from 8 to 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Gordon Biersch ...

GETTING ITS start this week at Studio 1 is the "Lavender Lounge," a pau hana party featuring sushi and drink specials.

Geared towards downtown's Aloha Shirt Army, the gallery will open its doors at 4 p.m. for the 21-and-over crowd to eat, drink and be merry while perusing various works of art that are on display.

The "Lavender Lounge" will be open weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. at Studio 1; call 550-8701 ...

DESPITE EFFORTS by neighbors at the Century Center to shut them down, the Long Life Center's Top of Honolulu Club presents a "Monte Carlo Night and Masquerade Ball" tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

Hosted by Emily Lopez, the party features a tasting by Duck Pond Winery, food by Ray Arreola and Francesco Valentini and a silent auction. Lopez, Duck Pond Winery owner Scott Jenkins and Nick's Fishmarket's Ben Dowling will also be celebrating their birthdays at this one.

Admission to the "Monte Carlo Night and Masquerade Ball" is $55 per person; $100 per couple. Limousine service is also available; call 330-3627 ...

LOOKING FOR something to do after the blink-182 concert tomorrow night? The "official" afterparty is scheduled at Kapono's in the Aloha Tower Marketplace, featuring live performances by Choke and Linus the Band. Tickets are $10 for the 21-and-over party; show your ticket stub and get in for just $6 ...

ANOTHER OPTION would be to head over to the Wave Waikiki, where your ticket stub gets you in free all night long.

Last in Line is scheduled to open tomorrow night for Pimpbot, who are making a rare appearance thanks to the return of frontman Fernando "The Love Machine" Pacheco, who's been on the mainland with his other band, Go Jimmy Go ...

AND SPEAKING of Go Jimmy Go, the guys will be at the Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday night, starting at 10 p.m.

Unfortunately, rock fans will have a tough decision to make, since the show takes place at the same time as 97.5 KPOI's farewell party down the street at the Wave. After more than two decades of being on the air, the station will cease to exist once new owners take over this weekend.

Headlining the goodbye party is NBS (formerly known as Enbious), and all the KPOI jocks will be on hand for one last hurrah. Call 599-KPOI for more info ...