In the Mix: Hall & Oates add Honolulu to 2011 tour plans

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

2010 Grammy Award nominee and six-time Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping duo Hall & Oates (pictured) have added Honolulu to their list of 2011 tour dates, according to posts on their website and concert tour website Pollstar.com.

Local promoter Hawaii Pacific Entertainment is behind the March 4, 2011 concert at Blaisdell Arena; when contacted earlier today, HPE CEO Lincoln Jacobe confirmed his company was helping to produce the show and said a formal announcement would be made next week. The Hawaii stop of the “Do What You Want, Be What You Are 2010″ tour will take place after multiple performances in Japan.

Jacobe did not state what ticket prices for the show would be, saying only that tickets would be available to the general public in early October.

In the Mix: Royal Hawaiian Center closes LEVEL4

FL Morris / fmorris@staradvertiser.com

The scene at LEVEL4 during the club’s grand opening party on July 19, 2008.

This post has been updated. See below.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

Waikiki nightspot LEVEL4 Nightclub and Ultra Lounge held its final parties last weekend and is now out of business, according to multiple sources. Following regularly scheduled parties on Friday and Saturday, the fourth floor space at the Royal Hawaiian Center hosted a final screening of “Princess Kaiulani” tonight before closing down for good.

The news “kind of just hit us” out of the blue, said LEVEL4 public relations director Kenji Matsuzawa, who said he found out “last week” that the club would shut its doors.

“We were doing so well,” he said. “We were riding that roller coaster … (but) business has been booming.”

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VIDEO: ‘Beachbum’ Berry talks Don the Beachcomber

Video by Jason Genegabus / jason@staradvertiser.com

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

Cocktail expert Jeff “Beachbum” Berry was on the Big Island last weekend to participate in the Second Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival at the Big Island’s Royal Kona Resort. Along with judging the “World’s Best Mai Tai” contest, he was also asked to speak to guests about the life and drinks of the legendary Don the Beachcomber.

The Berry-hosted seminar also featured three tastings of Don the Beachcomber cocktails; in the video above, he talks about Don’s influence and the drinks he selected for the seminar.

In the Mix: BBQ meets Mai Tais at Royal Kona Resort

Photos by Jason Genegabus / jason@staradvertiser.com

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

KAILUA-KONA » Before more than 20 bartenders lined up at the Royal Kona Resort to determine the “World’s Best Mai Tai” last weekend, a handful of Big Island restaurants squared off in a “Battle of the BBQ” competition during the Second Annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival.

Just steps from the Pacific Ocean on the Kona coast, hotel guests and local residents mingled on a well-manicured lawn and sampled contest entries while also perusing a Mai Tai Marketplace set up in the same area. Maui’s Eric Gilliom was on hand to provide musical entertainment during the afternoon.

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PICS: Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Fest preview

Photos by Jason Genegabus / jason@staradvertiser.com

Some of the entries in the second annual Don the Beachcomber’s “World’s Best Mai Tai” contest, held last Saturday at the Royal Kona Resort on the Big Island.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

It was a whirlwind of a Saturday last weekend, getting dropped off at Honolulu International Airport just after
8 in the morning for a flight to the Big Island to cover the second annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival.

Along with a “World’s Best Mai Tai” competition — worth $10,000 for the winning bartender’s recipe — the second day of the two-day event featured a “Battle of the BBQ” contest, live entertainment by local musicians Eric Gilliom and Henry Kapono, a lecture on Don the Beachcomber by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and an intimate concert by mainland rockers Third Eye Blind.

We’ll have more pictures from the barbeque and Mai Tai contests tomorrow — until then, here are some images posted to the Twitter account for TGIF while everything was going down on Saturday.

(Click on the panoramic shots for larger versions of each image.)

You can see all the posts by searching for the Twitter hashtag #DonsMTF.

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In the Mix: ‘Soul Clap’ 4-year anniversary

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

If you believe the hype in Chinatown, the latest and greatest wave to hit the neighborhood in 2010 is the return of the good old fashioned dance party.

Instead of posting up against a wall and looking cool, these days it’s more about busting out the dancing shoes and showing off your moves — no matter how sweaty it may get. Epic rug-cutting sessions have been known to take place regularly at Manifest and SoHo Mixed Media Bar; elder Chinatown neighbors NextDoor and the Loft have also raged.

For the Nocturnal Sound Krew’s DJ ESKAE, however, the phrase “dance your face off” has applied monthly at thirtyninehotel for the last four years. “Soul Clap” started out kind of shaky, but over the years has established itself as a fun place to spend the last Friday of the month.

“It was kind of crazy because it was supposed to be a one-off,” he said last week. “It started off really slow, maybe 15 people? It was kind of weird like that for the first year — it was kind of whoever just showed up.

“But it was always me there.” Read more

In the Mix: Johnny Depp spotted at Apartment3

Courtesy Nikita Batic

Local designers Nikita Batic, left, and Serena Batic pose with Johnny Depp at Apartment3 last weekend.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@staradvertiser.com

Despite the departure of ABC’s hit television series “Lost” earlier this year, Honolulu continues to be a hotspot for Hollywood-type activity in 2010.

Oahu-based “Lost” fans were comforted to learn that Korean hottie — and genuinely nice guy — Daniel Dae Kim would be sticking around to co-star in “Hawaii Five-0,” set to launch on CBS this fall. Then, word came that filming for the fourth installment of the blockbuster “Pirates of the Carribbean” franchise would take place here as well.

For a lot of residents, that meant just one thing — Johnny Depp would be on the rock. And as it turns out, he likes to party just like the rest of us.

Depp, along with “Pirates” producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Rob Marshall and co-star Geoffrey Rush have all spent time at Apartment3 in the Century Center. According to co-owner Flash Hansen, everyone associated with the production has been incredibly nice to both fellow diners and the restaurant’s staff.

“Everybody from the movie loves this place,” he said on Monday. “This is definitely turning into their hangout.

“They roll right in through the back,” Hansen continued, adding that Depp’s personal security made an advance trip to scout out the venue before he ever set foot inside. “When he came in last Saturday, there were 200 people here and nobody knew he was there.

“You can be sitting right there,” he said, motioning towards the main bar area at Apartment3, “and you’d never know.” Read more

Inside HILife: In the Mix

Mars on star trajectory

Jason Genegabus / jason@starbulletin.com

By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com

THE SCENE before Bruno Mars’ all-ages concert last Friday provided the context necessary to understand where the former Honolulu resident is right now with his career.

Just after 7 p.m. that night, the singer formerly known as Bruno Hernandez stood on stage at LEVEL4 Nightclub. Although press materials for the performance said doors would be opened to the general public by then, Mars and his band were still working out issues with LEVEL4’s sound.

Without warning, the doors on one end of the room opened, and dozens of people began to stream inside. Mars looked dumbfounded, then realized those being let in were actually members of his extended ohana.

“Family, this is sound check,” he explained, stepping away from his microphone to engage in what appeared to be a somewhat strained conversation with LEVEL4 security staff. But instead of pulling a “rockstar” move and kicking everyone out until he was done, Mars shook it off and resumed prepping for the first of two performances that night.

Some two hours later, Mars returned to what had become a pretty packed room and launched into a 60-minute set that illustrated who he was as a recording artist, in addition to showcasing some of the influences that got him to where he is today.

Those who remember Mars as Waikiki’s “Little Elvis” from the 1990s wouldn’t have been surprised to hear some of the stuff he played that night, while the all-ages crowd in attendance screamed and cheered as he introduced some of the material produced while living and working in Los Angeles the last few years. Mars mentioned working with the likes of Sean Kingston and Matisyahu before sharing a remixed version of B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You,” which was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 last week.

“Hawaii, this is for us, y’all … this is for us!” Mars said at the end of his set, before returning a few minutes later with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana.”

After going into the show with relatively low expectations, I was simply blown away by Mars’ vocal ability and musical talent. He might not be receiving the star treatment he deserves just yet, but give him time.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him show up on a track with part-time Hawaii resident Kanye West — or someone else with that kind of superstar status — sooner, rather than later …

Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.

Inside HILife: In the Mix

Beamer-Helm CD inspires

Dennis Oda / doda@starbulletin.com

Mountain Apple Company CEO Jon de Mello, left, captures the scene on video during a photo shoot with Keola Beamer and Raiatea Helm earlier this week.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com

THE ATMOSPHERE was light and jovial when I entered the Mountain Apple Co.’s Kakaako offices on Monday. After a short walk through the company’s warehouse space, an open door led to a studio where Keola Beamer and Raiatea Helm had just finished up a photo and video shoot in support of their new collaboration, “Keola Beamer and Raiatea.”

The album, set for release May 4 in stores and online, was the result of 14 months of work in Honolulu, San Francisco and Beamer’s home island of Maui. The project was incredibly personal for both artists, albeit for different reasons.

“I lost my mom about two years ago, and she was also an artistic collaborator, so I was dealing with this huge loss and how to go forward,” said Beamer.

“This is a new Raiatea,” said Helm. “It’s a new journey for me … (and) I took a risk to get out of the box and try something new.”

Beamer and Helm first met in 2008 when one of the coordinators for the annual Lantern Floating Festival asked them to share a stage. The two “clicked,” according to Helm, and they decided to start working together. Eventually, months of touring in Japan, China and the continental U.S. led to them deciding to record a full-length album.

“For me, she has a voice I can journey with,” said Beamer of Helm’s vocal ability. “Words fall short, but there’s a quality of light in her voice that I see. … I sort of thought maybe we could work together and I could paint with that light.”

The results of Beamer’s “painting” are impressive. “Keola Beamer and Raiatea” spotlights the strengths of both artists – Beamer’s slack key talents are impossible to ignore, his playing blending seamlessly with Helm’s silky smooth voice.

Tracks like “Hilo Hanakahi” and “I Kilohi Aku Au” allow both artists to showcase their singing voices in Hawaiian, while “Ina (Imagine)” is a beautiful remake of the John Lennon classic, using both Hawaiian and English lyrics. “You Somebody” and “Days of My Youth,” which showcase each artist individually, are other songs worth putting on repeat in your iTunes.

After years of scratching my head at some of the nominees and winners of the Best Hawaiian Music Album category at the Grammy Awards, it seems like a no-brainer to consider this release as a front-runner to win in 2011. Just don’t expect Beamer and Helm to jump on that bandwagon anytime soon.

“I’m a Buddhist, so I’m not attached to any of that stuff,” said Beamer. “The music is good and we want to get it out there. Whether it has anything to do with the Grammys or not, we don’t know.”

“We make music to make people happy,” added Helm. “Everyone can relate to it.”

According to the folks at Mountain Apple, “Keola Beamer and Raiatea” will be available at all Oahu Longs Drugs, Wal-Mart and Borders locations. Beamer and Helm expect to tour extensively on the mainland and in Hawaii this fall in support of the new album; Maui fans will be able to celebrate its release on May 22 at the Maui Theatre.

Visit www.hsblinks.com/2bc to listen to streaming audio from the album and purchase online …

Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.

Inside HILife: In the Mix

Hype 5-0 does Hawaii proud

Courtesy Warner Bros.

By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com

AFTER FAILING to make the nationally televised finals the last two years, Hawaii hip-hop dance team Hype 5-0 represented the Aloha State well in recent months during the fifth season of MTV’s “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew.” Despite tough competition and a slight disadvantage due to the time difference between the mainland and Hawaii, the seven-member crew comprising former Hypersquad dancers finished in third place last week.

“It’s been amazing since the first day we got to the stage,” Hype 5-0 member Josh Ulep said by phone from Los Angeles on Monday. “Even though we’ve been here a long time, we still wake up in the morning … and can’t believe we’re on ‘ABDC.’ It’s a dream come true.”

While the crew came off a bit corny during their first performance in the finals on Feb. 18 — rocking aloha shirts and grass skirts was not the best look — they showed a great deal of maturity during the ensuing weeks. This columnist was particularly impressed by their performances during the “Usher Challenge” and “Illusion Challenge” episodes; their “Last Chance Challenge” performance, which didn’t matter because they had already been eliminated, was another favorite. It’s definitely a good thing whenever hula is incorporated into mainstream dance and shared on national television.

“We just wanted to bring back the Hype 5-0 that everyone saw in the regionals,” Ulep said. “Basically, in regionals we started off with Hawaiian dance, but it was more fun, not serious. But with this one we wanted to do the same thing but take things a little more seriously.

“We’re all so proud to be from Hawaii, so we kind of wanted to give back. … We wanted to show we haven’t forgotten where we came from.”

Hype 5-0 also had to deal with two big hurdles on the show: Hawaii fans, who were forced to watch each episode on a three-hour delay, had only two hours each week to call in or text their votes in support of the crew (once daylight saving time ended, that voting window shrank to just 60 minutes), and this season was the first to feature a crew that wasn’t actually from the U.S.

“I won’t say that they’re not good, just because they’re not from America,” Ulep said of Canada’s Blueprint Cru, who faced off against California’s Poreotix yesterday in the finals. “But I have no idea how they got on the show. … I’m guessing ‘ABDC’ wants to go international (with the show), so they’re trying to test the waters by allowing a foreign crew to come on the show.”

Having been on the mainland since January, Ulep said that all the members of Hype 5-0 were anxious to reconnect with family and friends, but that they would be staying a bit longer because they’ve “been getting a lot of calls and stuff.” Following an encore performance with the other West Coast crews on “ABDC” last night, they plan to stay in California for a few days; Ulep also mentioned there is interest from fans in Florida and the Philippines, as well.

Congrats to Ulep and fellow Hype 5-0 members Brittnie Aguilar, Marc Duey, KC-Kay Kalahiki, Allen-Charles Pascual, Jonathan Ramones and William Soares III on a job well done …

Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.

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