Hip-hop group is
a throwback

GET A little adventurous tonight and head over to the Wave Waikiki for some hip hop that's off the beaten path.

Headlining the show is the Long Beach-based trio Ugly Duckling, a throwback to the late-'80s/early-'90s scene when it wasn't all about being gangsta and long before the phrase "bling bling" had any real meaning.

The group's latest album, "Taste the Secret," uses a lot of satire and pokes fun at the commercialism of the mainstream music industry. For Andy Cooper, Young Einstein and Dizzy, who have traveled and performed with the likes of Del the Funky Homosapien, Jurassic 5, Kool Keith and the Roots, it's more about remaining accessible to their fans and being true to the culture than the number of records they sell.

Local performers Emirc, G.Y.S., Kavet the Catalyst, Omega6 and Timer will join DJs A2Z and Oliver Twist to get things started tonight at the Wave. Tickets are $20; call James Viso over at TooGruvz for more info ...

THINGS SEEM to be going well at the Living Room, with a variety of entertainment available, depending on what night you stop by.

Sunday's new party, "Club de Ville," got off to a good start last weekend, and the Direct Descendants continue to hold it down on Fridays. I'm also hearing good things about Saturday nights with the crew from AYA.

And as far as Thursdays go, jazz fans will be happy to know that Noel Okimoto is now playing there from 8 to 11 p.m. every week. DeShannon Higa will also perform there weekly with the gr00ve.imProV.arTiSts starting Oct. 7, following Okimoto's set ...

TOMORROW NIGHT at On the River, a gallery/coffee shop in Chinatown, Quadraphonix headlines an interactive performance and visual art expo from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

During the performances by Quadraphonix and spoken word poet Kealoha, local artists Sam Clemens, Rachel Kaiser, Kim Kinard, Rich Richardson and Steve Rosenthal will present a live art piece collaboration. Call 585-6131 ...

AND ON Saturday, check out Phillip Paolo's at Restaurant Row for another edition of "Roots at the Row."

Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 21-and-over crowd, and the night features music by THC and Humble Soul. Red Stripe and Appleton Rum will be on special, making you feel like you're at a bar in Jamaica for something.

Cover is $10 for this one; call 585-8142 ...

FEEL LIKE taking a drive out to the country? Check out "Ryze Up," a benefit concert for the Mala 'Ai 'Opio Youth Organic Farm and E Ala E 'O Wai'anae New Century Public School at the Makaha Resort on Saturday. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for the concert, which features Sudden Rush, Ooklah the Moc, Hot Rain, Kupa'aina, Kanilau, Na Hoa, Pili'oha and the Opihi Pickers. Call 696-0222 ...