StarBulletin.com

Honolulu nightlife will be less lively without Pro Bowl


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POSTED: Friday, February 13, 2009

YOU DON'T need to be a football fan to recognize what kind of impact the NFL's decision to move the Pro Bowl will have on Honolulu.

All those tourists in Waikiki last weekend? They won't be back until 2011 at the earliest, according to recent news reports.

And it's not just hotels, restaurants and retail that will feel the pinch. Clubland will take a hit next February, when venues lose important rental income from mainland promoters who cater to NFL players and their families. Local hip-hop fans will suffer too, since those promoters are also responsible for bankrolling visiting artists' hotels and airfare.

 

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DJ Quik

Last Friday's performances at LEVEL4 Nightclub are a prine example - without the Pro Bowl, there's no way Busta Rhymes, Kurupt and DJ Quik would play here on the same night. It was nice to see tourists and locals mingling with NFL players who seemed genuinely happy to be partying in Hawaii (view pictures at http://www.sonecessary.tv).

All that changes in 2010, to the dismay of more than a few players in local nightlife circles ...

ALOHA MEANS GOODBYE: After nearly three years at the Living Room, DJ Jahson the 45 Revolver and Pacific Sounds Outernational put an end to Redda Fire last week. The party converted to a monthly last September, but plans to “;go into different directions”; and moves “;to earlier schedules”; resulted in the decision. They continue to support the local reggae scene with Dancehall City at Indigo ... Fashion publication SMART Magazine announced last week that it has ceased operations. I've been a fan of founders Amy Alston, Sarah Honda and Molly Watanabe since their launch in 2005, so it's pretty disappointing to hear they gave up. Honda still blogs, however, at http://smartmagazine.blogspot.com ... Local rockers Stoic FB headlined one last show on Oahu last weekend before heading for the mainland. They were joined at The Spot by Aim for the Heart, Stillborn Skies and friends ...

CONCERT NEWS: The All-American Rejects return to Pipeline Cafe on March 6 in support of the band's third album, “;When the World Comes Down.”; Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets ... Pipeline will also host comedian Jo Koy on March 11. Koy made his Hawaii debut as the opening act for Jon Lovitz in 2006, returning the same year to headline at the old Wave Waikiki. Call 589-1999 for ticket info ... Pau Hana Productions has announced the return of Bad Religion to Honolulu on April 9, also at Pipeline. Pre-sale tickets are $30 and $75 and go on sale Saturday. Last time they played here was 2007 ...

 

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BJ Penn

WEEKEND PICKS: Head to Pipeline Friday for a rare chance to score a free VIP card, good for front-of-line privileges and no cover charge during any club-sponsored event. The first 200 people at “;Cherry”; on Friday who pay the $10 cover will receive a card, which normally costs $50 and has no expiration date. Doors open at 10 p.m., with DJ Jimmy Taco on the decks ... Los Angeles-based DJ Shortkut returns for Get Fresh at Indigo on Friday. He'll be joined by DJs G-Spot and Sovern-T, with a $1,000 diamond giveaway scheduled for Valentine's Day ... MMA fans can welcome BJ Penn home this weekend after his loss to Georges St-Pierre last month. He makes his first public appearance since the fight at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ala Moana Centerstage with fellow UFC fighters Kendall Grove, Shane Nelson, Brandon Wolff and Troy Mandaloniz ...

COMING UP: The Bonzer Front Surf Shop in Haleiwa hosts the “;That's Primo Bonzer Winter Festival”; from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, with photography by Brian Bielmann, poster art by Rick Griffin and performances by Mike Love, the Otis Schaper Trio and Brenda Burnett. Three surf flicks will also be screened. Call 637-5516 ... Don't want to drive to the North Shore? Stay in town Wednesday to help Ryan's Grill buck the trend of recent restaurant closures and celebrate 25 years of business at Ward Centre. They're celebrating all month with live music on Wednesdays; Ooklah the Moc perform from 9 p.m. to midnight next week, followed by Rebel Souljahz on Feb. 25 ... Lotus Soundbar introduces a new Thursday weekly next week. Fired Up will be open to party people 18-and-over, with DJ James Coles and the United DJs handling mixing duties. Power 104.3's Micah Banks will host; doors open at 9 p.m. ...

 

Check out Jason Genegabus' blog: www.sonecessary.tv