'Casual' party kicks off at Fashion 45

JUST A month after moving from Maharaja Ultra Lounge to the W Honolulu on Fridays, promoters Artist Groove Network kick off a second Waikiki weekly tonight at Fashion 45.

The new party is called "Casual Thursdays," and features a slightly more relaxed dress code than the club has allowed since opening for business in December. Shorts and slippers are a no-go, but stylish T-shirts and hats are OK for guys (none of this matters for women, who can usually get in wearing whatever they want).

Another nice touch is the lack of a cover charge, and Roni Yurong says he'll buy you a drink if you can corner him during tonight's debut party. Good luck ...

SO THE rumors have finally been put to rest -- Kanye West is, in fact, coming to Honolulu. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday for the April 9 concert at Blaisdell Arena, priced at $49.50 each.

But did you know that T-Pain is coming to Pipeline Cafe on March 18? He'll be here to sing his hit song, "I'm In Love With a Stripper." And Talib Kweli will be there March 25, after a couple of false alarms late last year.

Underground rap collective L.A. Symphony will also be in town on the 25th. They'll perform at Bliss ...

FRIDAY should be a busy night this weekend: Promoter Mike Scalera celebrates his 24th birthday that night at Zanzabar as part of the club's new "World Tour: Asia Beat" theme. Hawaiian Tropics spokesmodel and Miss Steinlager 2005 Brandy Leaver will be on hand, with DJ Rude Dogg on the decks and Justin James drumming live. A lingerie fashion show is also planned ... The talented trio of local women behind SMART Magazine will celebrate their first anniversary at Fashion 45, with a special fashion show featuring the latest from MisFortune and The Blue Buddha. You can also party with Amy Alston, Sarah Honda and Molly Watanabe on Saturday at "SKYLiNE" ... I'm feeling the mellow vibe early at "Cheddar," the new Architechs Hawaii/Kaizo Speedgear jump-off at the Living Room. Things pick up late here (the bar has a 4 a.m. license), but roll up around midnight and you'll find no lines at the door or the bar. When I stopped by last weekend, DJ Delve had stepped in to help collect money out front, as DJ Compose kept heads bobbing upstairs. I'm also feeling the second room that's opened, complete with another pair of turntables and a working bar ...

CAN'T MAKE it to Pipeline tomorrow for the "2006 Ska Brawl Tour" with The Toasters and Go Jimmy Go? Head over to the Wave Waikiki for a second show on Saturday. It might also be a good bet to hit the Wave late tomorrow, when "special guests" are scheduled to join The Golf Cart Rebellion. Your ticket stub gets you in free ...

In the Mix drops Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Star-Bulletin.
Reach Jason Genegabus at jgenegabus@starbulletin.com.