By Jason Genegabus

Jamm Aquino photos

I’ve got to admit I’m a little surprised at the lack of 50 Cent fans in Honolulu.

Rough estimates pegged Friday’s crowd at about 3,000 people (a bit generous, if you ask me). That’s only a few hundred more than his first trip here five years ago.

Most of the crowd appeared to be in their 20’s and 30’s, with a few parents walking around with teenagers (and pre-teens, WTF!?!?) in tow.

In case you missed it, I reviewed the concert in yesterday’s Star-Bulletin.

Staff photographer Jamm Aquino was kind enough to provide a few more pictures from that night, so I’ve got those posted after the jump. There’s also a short video clip from EMIRC’s opening performance.

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By Jason Genegabus

Associated Press photo

In a couple of hours, I’ll be at the Blaisdell to witness 50 Cent’s (pictured) return to Honolulu.

The last time he was here was in 2003, just a few months after his first album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” was released in stores. Local fans were a little disappointed when the rapper performed for just 45 minutes.

I’ve got a story about 50 in this week’s edition of HiLife, along with the March installment of Barfly.

This month, I take you on a journey to Doraku Sushi and RumFire, two new spots that offer unique drinking experiences that make it worth the trip into Waikiki.

This weekend also brings a unique event to the Stan Sherriff Center at UH-Manoa: High school kids from both Hawaii and the mainland, competing in a robotics competition that’s sponsored by NASA.

You can read the story by Gary C.W. Chun via this link.

And as always, don’t forget to read “In the Mix.” I’ve got details on a new Saturday weekly at Chai’s Island Bistro, plus the latest club and concert news and exclusive info about Ryan “Hawaiian Ryan” Matsumoto’s return to the islands next week.

Links:
Honolulu Nightlife Listings
Crawlspace: “Soul Clap” and “Angel Magik”
Star-Bulletin Staff Picks
Star-Bulletin Local Record Reviews
Honolulu Movie Theater Schedules

By Jason Genegabus

This obituary ran in Tuesday’s Honolulu Star-Bulletin:

Thomas C. Low
Feb. 24, 2008
Thomas C. “Komo” Low, 35, of Honolulu, a KomoLow Entertainment owner, died in Straub Clinic & Hospital. He was born in Lemoore, Calif. He is survived by mother Valerie J., father Thomas Jr., sister Kristi L.K. Akiu and companion Allyson “Buba” Ukishima. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: 1 p.m. at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. Flowers welcome.

By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

I got the chance to help judge the 2008 Iron Bartender Competition last night. This is the third or fourth time I’ve been asked, dating back to the days when it was held at the bar inside Palomino.

There were nine contestants entered in the third preliminary round, which meant I spent quite a bit of time sitting at a table, tasting drink after drink … after drink … after drink.

Not like I’m complaining, though.

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By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

It’s a whole new world for local musicians Anjj Lee and Maxx Effex.

Next weekend, the duo will make the jump from performing to promoting when their new company, Maxx & Anjj LLC, presents the “Bud Light Reggae Fest” with headliners Big Mountain.

Yup, the guys who made it big with a cover of “Baby I Love Your Way” nearly 15 years ago are back with a new album. “Versions: Undercover” hit retail last Tuesday, and the band will tour for the first time in more than four years with concerts on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

The last time Big Mountain was in town was 2003, when they played the old Kapono’s at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

“Big Mountain hasn’t been here for a while,” says Effex in a press release announcing the shows. “I’m thrilled that I convinced them to do it.”

Effex and Lee also plan to perform tracks off a new project they’re working on together, describing their sound as “revolutionary” with a “sound that crosses genres” between hip-hop and reggae. They’ll be joined by Soul Free, Kawao, Ilona Irvine, Onward as opening acts for Big Mountain.

The “Bud Light Reggae Fest” is scheduled to take place April 3 at Lulu’s on the Big Island, April 4 at Don Ho’s on Oahu and April 5 at the Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. Pre-sale tickets for the Don Ho’s show are $20 and available at all GCI Wireless locations on Oahu; buy online at Islandtix.com.

By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

When Pearl Ultralounge first opened last year, owner Beau Mohr told me he would keep his party planning in-house and wouldn’t work with any outside promoters.

Guess he’s changed his mind, because Flash Hansen and Matty Hazelgrove launched “The Candy Bar” last Friday. Both Mohr and general manager Alvin Yeh didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment, so I’m not too sure what caused the change in attitude.

But I did get a chance to stop by last week, so I’ve got more pictures from the new party after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus