By Jason Genegabus

Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z on stage during the “Heart of the City” tour earlier this year. Photo via YoRapper.com.

Got your tickets to next month’s Mary J. Blige concert at the Blaisdell?

If you do, or can print out a receipt showing that you purchased them, the Ala Moana Hotel has a special room rate – plus free transportation to the show – just for you. It’s called the Mary J. Blige Package and is available right now, starting at $125 per night.

Along with the ride to and from the Blaisdell on Oct. 24, the hotel is extending the special rate to cover the two nights prior AND two nights after the show. Can you say, “Staycation?”

Call (800) 446-8990 for reservations.

By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

Courtesy photo

After three months of relentless touring through 18 states, local rockabilly band The Hell Caminos return to Honolulu for a few weeks in November.

“(The) West Coast, the South, East Coast, he Midwest … it was long,” said Hell Caminos bassist Michael Camino. “Half of us stayed in LA for the last few months, but we’re all coming back for (the) Hawaii (shows).”

The band departed for the mainland last year after a farewell party at Anna Bannana’s that doubled as a fundraiser for the move. They returned to the islands to release their second full-length album, “Lust,” in March, before heading back out for their latest tour.

“We’ve missed playing on Oahu,” Camino said. “It’s gonna be nice to play in our backyard (for) people that supported us the last 4 years.”

Here are the details about The Hell Caminos’ homecoming:

“The Return of The Hell Caminos: PUNKS VS PSYCHOS” (with The 86 List, White Rose (Maui), Guttercats and special appearances by Pacific Roller Derby and Cherry Blossom Cabaret)
When: 9 p.m. Nov. 7th
Where: Anna Bananas
Cover: $10 (all ages)

Can’t make it on the 7th? The band will return to Anna’s on Nov. 9 and play at the Mercury Bar on Nov. 14. Cherry Blossom Cabaret will join them for the Chinatown gig.

Related Stories:
“Dissecting ‘Lust’” (3/14/08)
“Hawaii’s psychos will be lonely” (4/13/07)

By Jason Genegabus

We’re trying something new this afternoon.

I’m here in the newsroom with Star-Bulletin Features editor Betty Shimabukuro, where we’ll be covering the 2008 Emmy Awards.

Can’t wait for the prime-time telecast? Want to talk story about the awards?

Come join us for live results, as they happen!

By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

AP video via YouTube

Kanye, Kanye, Kanye.

Of all people, haven’t you learned by now it’s not a good idea to lose your temper in public?

The Associated Press reports Kanye West and his road manager/bodyguard were arrested at LAX this morning after a confrontation with paparazzi.

Both men allegedly grabbed camera equipment and threw it to the ground, which prompted airport police to take them into custody. They were taken to a nearby LAPD substation and released in the afternoon.

Here’s a link to the updated AP story. MTV also has a report about the incident posted online, and TMZ.com has video of the confrontation (the paparazzi who were attacked worked for the Los Angeles-based website).

(more…)

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

Hitting you with a double-dose of Grind Time this week, since my visit to Red Mango was actually preceded by pupus and sake at Doraku Sushi in the Royal Hawaiian Center.

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By Jason Genegabus

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

As a kid growing up in Kailua during the 1980’s, one of my favorite places to visit was Baskin-Robbins.

It was close to my house, they had my favorite flavor (Gold Medal Ribbon!!!) and not once did I ever have to pay, since my parents always picked up the tab.

Then I discovered Penguins.

Located just down the street from Baskin-Robbins, the frozen yogurt shop opened sometime in the late 80’s (I think) and had closed by the time I graduated college and moved home in 1999. But for a while, the mix of flavored frozen yogurt with a variety of candy toppings managed to shake my allegiance to ice cream and try something that was supposed to be “good for me.”

Some 15 years later, frozen yogurt is starting to make a comeback.

Locally, the new Yogurtland near UH-Manoa features self-serve fro-yo and has enjoyed long lines since its opening earlier this year. On the mainland, companies like Pinkberry, Kiwiberry, Yogurt World and Yolato compete with Red Mango, which opened its first Hawaii shop last week.

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By Jason Genegabus

I’ve got to get ready to head down to the Stan Sheriff Center to help Star-Bulletin sports reporter Cindy Luis run a live blog during tonight’s UH Wahine Volleyball game against Wyoming, but I wanted to get this posted.

While I haven’t received confirmation from the mainland-based promoters yet, at least one local radio station has announced that Mary J. Blige is coming to Hawaii next month. She’s scheduled to perform at the Blaisdell Arena on Oct. 24.

No word on ticket prices either, although I’m told you can buy them at all Ticketmaster outlets starting on Monday at 10 a.m.

Blige is currently touring the mainland U.S. with R&B singer Robin Thicke, but it appears he won’t be making an appearance here. My guess is that Dave Young, one of the artists signed to Blige’s Matriarch Records, will open the night.

More on this when I hear back from the promoters.