In The Mix Jason Genegabus

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2005 had much on prior years

WELCOME to my first column of 2006, which brings In the Mix into its fifth year at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Mahalo plenty to you loyal readers who check this space regularly for the inside scoop on Honolulu nightlife.

My resolution for the new year? To continue bringing you the latest party and concert news before you read about it anywhere else ...

LOOKING BACK on 2005: It was a good year in Clubland, with quality shows and a generous dose of out-of-town DJs with incredible street cred.

Hip-hop dominated as usual, from Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock in February to De La Soul in December. Redman's stage dive from the Tiki Lounge at Pipeline in August was a definite highlight, while Warren G disappointed longtime fans with a lackluster performance at Kapono's a few days later. Public Enemy, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def and Common graced Oahu with their presence, as did DJs Kool Herc, Mixmaster Mike and Dilated Peoples ...

ROCK AND pop fans had to be happy as well. Lisa Loeb kicked things off in front of a packed house at the Hawaiian Hut in January, with Jason Mraz following at the Hawaii Theatre in February and Norah Jones at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in April.

We also saw My Chemical Romance, LB Short Bus, Slightly Stoopid, Hepcat, Reel Big Fish, Andrew WK, the Mad Caddies and even the return of Motley Crue. Reggae represented with Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Alpha Blondy and Pato Banton ...

LOTS OF venues celebrated one-year anniversaries last year -- congrats to the Mercury Lounge, Living Room, O Lounge and thirtyninehotel.

The Wave Waikiki made it to 25 years in 2005, with Pipeline turning five, Indigo turning 11, Fusion Waikiki turning 16 and Scruples celebrating 22 years in business. Other new venues include Maharaja Ultra Lounge, Jazz Minds Art and Cafe, Deep Blue and Fashion45.

But as some parties take off, others fizzle. The Pussycat Lounge name lives on, although its seven-year run at the Wave ended last month. Bombasstic Tuesdays is pau at Pipeline after five years, Feng Shui called it quits after a year at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, and Zen closed its doors for good on New Year's Eve ...

BUT IF there's one thing I've noticed while writing this column, it's that Honolulu has greatly diversified its options for visitors and locals alike. We nightcrawlers have more choices on a nightly basis now, compared to when this columnist started getting paid to do his research ...